Early Mauser HSc pistols

[hochadler]

Need your help on a research project with data on early Mauser HSc pistols, between serial numbers 700,001 and 701,250.

This production lot consisted of high-quality, commercial pistols from which the Kriegsmarine (Navy) began their procurements, which bear an eagle over an M engraved on the front grip strap above the serial number.

1) Can anyone verify that any of the following six reported HSc pistols somewhere out there bear the above described Navy proof: 700067, 700129, 700220, 700223, 700322 and 700395?

2) Does anyone have, or know of, additional serial number data (other than what’s detailed in Jan Still’s “Axis Pistols) in this serial range of 700,001 to 701,250? Navy or not.

3) Interested only in serial number data, not who, what or where. As long as it’s dependable.

Thanks to all.

[Matt Weber]

Boy your grasping for straws by asking for specific serial numbers!

I can tell you that the known serial range of KM marked HSc pistols was between 700220-851751 (this is with the "eagle/swastika M" on the front grip strap as you stated).

Later war HSc pistols that were used by the KM were marked with this same marking and/or "eagle MIII/3", "eagle M6", or "eagle M/8/11". These will be anywhere between serial numbers 733532-933952.
That is about all I can tell you. I don't have any of the serial numbers that you listed. My lowest serial numbered HSc that I have is 726xxx, and is marked "eagle 655".

Are you looking at a specific HSc that is KM proofed? If so, please tell us about the pistol that you are referring to, and perhaps we can help you more? Posting pics will help out as well.

Matt

[hochadler]

Early Mauser HSc pistols

Matt:

You’re absolutely right that, at first glance, my posting appears to be grasping at straws. However, I’m concerned with only the first 1341 Mauser HSc’s (low grip screw variety) produced starting in late 1940. These serials run from 700,001 to 701,341, and are very rare. After that, regular production continued for an additional 250,000 or so pistols until war’s end, with the grip screw relocated 20mm higher on the grip.

My interest is in determining which of these first HSc pistols were procured and proofed by the Kriegsmarine from among otherwise newly introduced commercial pistols. Only the Kriegsmarine procured pistols from this first production…Army and Police procurement came later.

It’s generally accepted that the total Kriegsmarine procurement from this lot of 1341 pistols totaled 500 pieces. I’m simply trying to see if anyone out there has any information to confirm whether or not the six serial numbers that I listed, that have been previously reported, bear the Kriegsmarine proof on the front grip strap. I know it’s a long shot, but…

Navy procurement of thousands of HSc pistols continued throughout the war and that would be a nightmare to track.