honkeoki
Member
About 15 years ago, my dad passed me a broom-handle Mauser pistol. I thought I'd lost it through the years and intervening moves, but just last night, while packing yet again, I found the pistol buried deep in a box.
I know next to nothing about the pistol -- I've done some online research and read what was available. Now I'm coming to the wise ones here for more info and advice.
Here are the specs:
- 7.63 caliber
- Serial number: 71391 (manufactured in 1905?)
- New-type safety
- 3.5-inch barrel
- The right-hand side of the frame reads:
WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER
OBERNDORF A. NECKAR
- There's a strange mark on the slide, top and left side: looks like a crown over a double circle (()) over the letter U
- Importer mark on underside of barrel: "CAI ST ALB VT"
Now, condition:
- Original finish all over, very worn, one small spot of rust but no pitting
- There's a piece broken off the right rear of the slide - I can see the stump where the piece was
- I swabbed out the barrel and peekend down with a flashlight. Couldn't see any rifling, so perhaps the barrel is shot out?
- The grips are original but VERY heavily worn, like the pistol was carried a lot.
- Missing the lanyard ring at the bottom.
- Missing adjustable sights on the top of the slide - or maybe never had them?
- I'll post pics soon
My questions:
- Can you recommend a gunsmith to put this pistol back in working order? What should I expect to pay? Should I even try?
- Is this pistol worth anything?
- Will I be able to shoot it once it's in working order, or should I consider it a hanger?
- If the barrel's shot out, will getting a replacement bbl destroy any value?
- I'm a shooter rather than a collector. Considering that, would I be better off selling this piece and spending the money on something else?
I'm really in the dark about all this -- that's why there are so many questions. If you can direct me to any old posts or websites on the subject I'd be grateful.
My sincerest thanks for your help.
I know next to nothing about the pistol -- I've done some online research and read what was available. Now I'm coming to the wise ones here for more info and advice.
Here are the specs:
- 7.63 caliber
- Serial number: 71391 (manufactured in 1905?)
- New-type safety
- 3.5-inch barrel
- The right-hand side of the frame reads:
WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER
OBERNDORF A. NECKAR
- There's a strange mark on the slide, top and left side: looks like a crown over a double circle (()) over the letter U
- Importer mark on underside of barrel: "CAI ST ALB VT"
Now, condition:
- Original finish all over, very worn, one small spot of rust but no pitting
- There's a piece broken off the right rear of the slide - I can see the stump where the piece was
- I swabbed out the barrel and peekend down with a flashlight. Couldn't see any rifling, so perhaps the barrel is shot out?
- The grips are original but VERY heavily worn, like the pistol was carried a lot.
- Missing the lanyard ring at the bottom.
- Missing adjustable sights on the top of the slide - or maybe never had them?
- I'll post pics soon
My questions:
- Can you recommend a gunsmith to put this pistol back in working order? What should I expect to pay? Should I even try?
- Is this pistol worth anything?
- Will I be able to shoot it once it's in working order, or should I consider it a hanger?
- If the barrel's shot out, will getting a replacement bbl destroy any value?
- I'm a shooter rather than a collector. Considering that, would I be better off selling this piece and spending the money on something else?
I'm really in the dark about all this -- that's why there are so many questions. If you can direct me to any old posts or websites on the subject I'd be grateful.
My sincerest thanks for your help.