Mauser Model 1914 German Officer's Pistol

[JoeBubba]

Looking for help from persons who know German WWII pistols. I recently inherited this pistol from Wife's Dad, who was in North Africa, WWII. His AAF Unit was bombing Rommel's supply effort. So it was either German or Italian. He brought pistol, holster & magazine home after war. Pistol is a Mauser model 1914, ser# in high 400xxx range. Chambered in 7,65 mm (.32acp) and is in good condition except for bore. I'm assuming it was fired with corrosive primers and the owner didn't clean the bore. The pistol is tribute to German pistolcraft.
I would like to buy an aftermarket barrel for it so we could shoot it occasionally, but keep the original barrel also. Have no idea where to start?????

Picture attached

 

[Vaarok]

Spare barrels are probably not that easy to come by, the 1914 was a common enough pistol you should be able to get one from Numrich, Bob's Gun Parts, or Gunbroker.

 

[JoeBubba]

Thanks for reply

Vaarok,

I think what you said, was to buy another Mauser Model 1914 and use it for parts to restore the one I "care" about?

If I can't find a barrel I might have to do that. I've seen some M1914's for sale, even at places like Gander Mountain (used guns).

Thanks, that approach hadn't occurred to me

JoeBubba

 

[Kosh75287]

How bad IS the bore in the original barrel? Have you shot it with some good ammo? The barrel MIGHT look really bad, but shoot much better than it looks. If the pistol displays "minute of wash-tub" accuracy, then it might be time to go looking for a spare barrel.

ANOTHER possibility might be to chrome-plate (or nickel plate?) the inside of the barrel, and reduce the bore diameter by maybe 0.001". Maybe, just maybe, it'll replace enough of the bore worn away by corrosion that it'll grip the projectile just enough to impart better spin & stability. I don't know how well this trick works, or for how may rounds it might last. It seems I remember this trick being used in the past to rehab the barrels of revolvers made in the late 19th century and shot out from black powder rounds and/or corrosive primers.

IF you can find another barrel, it's probably the most problem-free choice. If they're not obtainable, you might inquire of someone highly skilled in electroplating.

If you reload for .32ACP, the use of cast projectiles 0.001" or more over spec diameter might also work. It's a lotta trouble to make an old gun work, but to see it shoot well again it might be worth it.

 

[rcmodel]

I would clean the crap out of the present barrel and go shooting.
I bet it will shoot just fine.

In 1914, those Mauser barrels were not drop-in parts like you might find in a Glock or something today. There was quite a bit of hand fitting done on each gun.

A replacement barrel will not just drop in I betcha.

The other thing is.
Despite everyones good intentions to "preserve" the old parts for posterity and future generations, it usually doesn't end up that way.

Most parts and grips taken off collector guns to "preserve" them end up in the bottom of a box of junk that sells for a buck two fifty at the guys estate sale.

rc

 

[Dr.Rob]

Clean it and shoot it.

I'm not under the impression you'll fire thousands of rounds through it. For the occasional range session there's likely no need to re-barrel it.

 

[JoeBubba]

Kosh75287,

The bore has been well brushed, soaked in Hoppes and brushed again, then patched.

I posted a picture of the bore a short time ago. Not a good image but you can see the small grain-of-sand size pits from the corrosion. The pitting covers all the groove area, some of the lands and the front/lower portion of the chamber. All the artifacts are small scale, no large gouges or cracks. I was surprised to see the bore in this shape, as the exterior metal was "good" and the grips were original type and "Very Good".

OK, I shot the Mauser about 5 minutes ago, the target was my old Weaver steel silhouette combat profile and I put 8 rounds on it (from 25 yards, standing) that you could cover with a playing card. (I'm not very pretty, but I can shoot). I have a LEO background (Patrolman/FA Instructor/Armorer) and this would be the first time in my life that I shot a pistol with a bore that was less than "good".

So it groups well, but my rules (LEO Armorer) say I don't carry it. Any thoughts on safety issues? I'm open to opinions!

JoeBubba in Texas

 

[rcmodel]

Here is some good info on the model variations:
http://www.ai4fr.com/main/page_militaria__collectibles_germany_mauser_1914.html

There are no safety issues that I know of, other then it is a 100 year old design.
They are somewhat fragile in the lockwork department.

Also, do not dry-fire it without snap-caps as you are likely to break a firing pin.

rc

 

[Jim K]

Those guns are notorious for breaking the trigger bar spring and sometimes the trigger spring. I don't recommend carrying or using one for serious purposes.

Jim

 

[JoeBubba]

Jim K,
I agree with you, I wouldn't intentionally "carry" this gun to a gunfight. I own a number of guns I would prefer for that job (at my age, my Rem-870 Police bore 12Ga with OO Buck would be my first choice). What I had in mind, was to treat it as a family heirloom, and let chosen (adult) family members fire it on special occasions, just to say that they got to shoot a century old "German Officers pistol" that might have been carried by one of Rommel's troops.

I appreciate everyone's comments and I'm glad I found this forum.
-JoeBubba (10-7)