Mauser Broomhandle with Kanji stamps

[Sniper 1987]

An acquaintance has a Mauser Broomhandle with Kanji characters stamped into the side of the magazine area. He did not even realize that it was stamped this way. I know the Germans and Japanese cooperated, but would Kanji-stamped firearms be rare? I have posted this photo in the Japanese Militaria forum to hopefully get a translation. Thanks.

Matt

[herd118]

Not Japanese, but Chinese. These Chinese characters roughly translate to "German manufacture" or "made in Germany".

[Sniper 1987]

Thanks for the correction. Any idea regarding the origin of this type of firearm?

[GWA]

How about some photos of the entire pistol so it can be dated?

[Matt Weber]

The Chinese brought a ton of Mausers like this! They liked them a lot. They even made a Chinese copy of it, in .45ACP!

Matt

[Douglas Jr.]

China was the Mauser's biggest market during the 20s and 30s. The chinese chaos of that period was a great opportunity to most of the gun manufacturers from that time. They bought almost anything that could get, but had a preference for C96-type guns. Mauser, Astra and Royals were sold by thousands at that time.

Douglas

[dag001]

The Chinese brought a ton of Mausers like this! They liked them a lot. They even made a Chinese copy of it, in .45ACP!

Matt

.30 cal. also