Mauser 1910 .25

[Dolph]

Hi all,

A friend has recently acquired a Mauser 1910 .25 with holster and matching serial # mag. On the backstrap in white stamped letters (factory?) is the following:

Karl Frank SCH-E-A 1 Comp Munchen.

The serial number is 89833. The are no Waffen marks.

We all know who Karl Frank was, is it possible this could be for real? Does anybody have any idea what the stampings mean (I believe SCH to be School -and 1 Comp to be 1st Company) also is it possible to trace the S/No. Through Mauser?

Any ideas or coments would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Steve

[JoeW]

This particular pistol has been seen many times at SOS Shows over the past several years. I have handled it at least three or four times. The letters were white-in with articificial material. Every time I discussed it with previous owners or contemplating purchasers, someone suggests Karl Frank. I reply fine, why not Karl Frank of Munich or Nurnberg or some other city in Bavaria at that time. Why does everyone always consider the most famous and notorious Karl Frank in III Reich history? Well of course it is to sell the gun.

I interpret the marking at Schupo Erzatz Abteilung 1 Company Munich, though I had a problem with the engraver's use of C in Comp.

[Dolph]

Wow Joe,
Thanks for the prompt reply, so this weapon has been in circulation? Thanks. You're absolutely right there has to be more than one Karl Frank particularly going back that far. I guess without any provenance this is a non-starter. Do you think anything could be done with the serial number if for no other reason than to put this to rest?

Thanks again,
regards,
Steve

[JoeW]

This is an early commercial gun engraved sometime for someone named Frank somewhere. THE Karl Frank was a Czech Nazi. Why would he have been in a unit in Bavaria? Come on. Think about it and ignore the sizzle.

As far as I know, no Mauser serial number/purchaser lists exist.