What is this Mauser?

[GWA]

It looks like a pre WWI commercial without the "New Safety system". The leather harness is an imported modern reproduction. The stock appears to be oak which would not be correct for a German made stock.

[streptile]

Hello everyone, thank you for your replies.

So do all agree the harness is a repro, and the stock is not correct? I notice both have numbers stamped into them (186335) that match parts of the pistol. Would these have been added by a faker?

I will toss the harness if it's a repro .

Is the stock a period piece, just not German made?

Thanks for any clarification -- I know very little about firearms.

[Douglas Jr.]

The harness is a repro indeed. Can't help you with the stock.

This variation of C96 is what is called "Prewar Commercial", the most common variation from pre-WWI years, with serial numbers going from c.40,000 to 280,000. Several of such guns saw action during the Great War as private purchases by German officers - who were supposed to buy their sidearms. This one seems to be in very decent and undisturbed condition, so it's a keeper in my book.

Douglas.

[MikeP]

In 1966 I lost a mint all matching C96 WW1 military rig I got from a local WW2 vet.

They still were illegal at that time.

I was allowed to 'abandon" it to avoid prosecution.

Couple years later when being processed for a security clearance, I had to "splain" the situation.

It was a beaut.

I would not "toss" that leather-it looks good for display.

Originals are pretty dear these days.

[nomadr]

The harness is a repro indeed. Can't help you with the stock.

This variation of C96 is what is called "Prewar Commercial", the most common variation from pre-WWI years, with serial numbers going from c.40,000 to 280,000. Several of such guns saw action during the Great War as private purchases by German officers - who were supposed to buy their sidearms. This one seems to be in very decent and undisturbed condition, so it's a keeper in my book.

Douglas.

I believe war time production went from 270000 to 430000 And many of these 7.63 are also military marked.

Do you have a better photo of the crown stamp under the serial number please.

Bob