Mauser Pistols

German arms manufacturer Mauser began producing bolt-action rifles in the 1870s before branching out into pistols some twenty years later. Mauser's first foray into pistols was the Mauser C96, a semi-automatic handgun produced in Germany, Spain, and China from 1896 to 1937. Known as the broomhandle, the mauser gun had superior range and better penetration than most other german pistols of its time, largely due to its use of the 7.63 mm by 25 mm Mauser cartridge, the highest-velocity commercially-produced pistol ammunition until the development of the .357 Magnum cartridge in 1935.

There were other notable Mauser pistols. One was the 1910, a small self-loading pistol that fired .25-caliber rounds, and later, a 1914 variant chambered for .32 ACP ammo. Some were sold commercially, but most were used by the German armed forces. From the '40s through the '70s, the gun maker produced the Mauser HSc, a compact double-action, blowback-operated .32 pistol that was also available in a version for .380-caliber ammunition.

All antique Mauser pistols are popular at auction, but the Construktion 96 is, by far, Mauser's most popular handgun during bidding. Even Mauser c96 replica and Mauser c96 reproduction pistols have cachet among certain collectors. Collectors interested in <a href=”https://www.invaluable.com/military-wartime-collectibles/cc-0EIGHLOFDZ/”>wartime and military memorabilia</a> have an appreciation for these replica pistols.

Quick Facts

• In 2013, James D. Julia auctioned off a historically significant Mauser C96 engraved with gold inlay and featuring a carved stock. It beat the $70,000 high estimate, reaching $89,125
• A Mauser C77 single-shot german pistol from the collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess of Zurich, Switzerland sold for $43,000
• A factory-engraved Mauser C96 in mint condition once owned by WWII German General Ludwig Beck sold well above its $35,000 upper estimate for $75,900