My guess is that the pistol as it exists now is an accumulation of parts. The barrel is a Swiss manufactured barrel from the 30's to 40's (Costanzo). The serial number 536, has been newly struck in at least one of the areas it appears as the fonts are distinctly different. The sear bar is unrelieved so I would believe that receiver is from pre WWI production. The finish on the frame, especially where the odd stampings occur, seems typical of Mauser military production. Also the weird stampings of numerals in squares and rectangles match what Costanzo calls random pressure proofs made in the thirties or forties.
It would be interesting to know if the pistol has a hold-open and if it does is it one added after manufacture. I would also like to see how the extractor is marked and what marking is hidden by the safety lever in the up postion.
Before giving any credance to the identification I have given for the odd barrel and frame markings please keep in mind that the source is Costanzo and a few of his past marking I.D.s have been proven otherwise.
It would be interesting to know if the pistol has a hold-open and if it does is it one added after manufacture. I would also like to see how the extractor is marked and what marking is hidden by the safety lever in the up postion.
Before giving any credance to the identification I have given for the odd barrel and frame markings please keep in mind that the source is Costanzo and a few of his past marking I.D.s have been proven otherwise.
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