[Fritz]

Pictured here is a very rare Mauser HSc rig.
It's a high polish finish pistol ( # 710 797 )with E/655 Army acceptance and additional Army test proof on the grip tang out of the first Army contract 40/41.
The first run procured by the Army is stamped with the same proofs as the Army Mauser34, indicating that the last M34s and the first HScs were possibly produced at the same time.
Unusual is, that this pistol shows a large E/655 stamp.
All pistols of the first variation were usually stamped with the small E/655 acceptance like the Mauser34.
Obviously it is a transitional model to the second variation which was stamped only with the large E/655 acceptance.

This particular pistol is the only one known to me at present.

The pistol comes along with a 41 dated jhg coded holster ( Gustav Genschow &CO. A.G. Abt. Lederwaren Fabriken, Alstadt-Hachenburg, Westerwald ) and is WaA286 stamped on closing strap.

Note the ink stamp inside the flap: Mauser 7,65.

It is from interest to me, if there are other transistionals out there.
Any help will be appreciated.

Fritz


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[adler]

You have an outstanding early Army Mauser HSc! According to the database of another advanced collector, other such Army "test" pistols with the large E/655 have been observed or reported: 708708,709846,710208,712575,712806,714227,714421,714527,714553,714578and 715099.
What makes your pistol even scarcer is the exceptional condition!

 

[Fritz]

Gentleman,

thank you very much for the information. What is the source?

Fritz

 

[Pancho]

Hello Fritz, Adler,
See Axis Pistols, page 35 re. test "proof".
1st. variation; range 701348 - 710208; procurement 3,000.
A rare pistol, in good shape, but...
Stills says test proof, not test pistol.
Seems that there would be a difference.

 

[adler]

Fritz:</u>
The database has been compiled over many years with input from reliable collectors, publications, gunshows, website auctions, etc...many confirmed with photos.

Pancho:</u>
Jan Still's Axis Pistols indeed places the total of Army "Test" Variation 1 pistols at 3,000. The serial number bracket listed was 701348 - 710208. However, remember that this data was as of 1989 and as we all know, much new data has surfaced since then.

It does appear that there was some sort of transition going on with the E/655. Perhaps it was due to a running change among the many pistols on the production lines.

Also, there is no definitive information that these were "test" or "proof" pistols for the German Army. I would speculate that the Army procurement of the new HSc, to replace the discontinued M1934, continued with the same proofing as utilized on the 1934. At least for a certain period.

The pistol itself, obviously new to the Army, wouldn't really require a special proof to indicate a test status. I'd more than welcome other input.

 

[Jan C Still]

Fritz
Excellent photographs and presentation of a Variation 1 HSc rig. I would not term this a test pistol. The large E/655 (as opposed to the earlier small E/655) indicates a subvariation that I was not aware of when Axis Pistols was published.
Jan

 

[Pancho]

Here's a 2nd variation with the large E/655, without the test proof,
not as rare, procurement 5,000:

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[rob67gt]

Hello Gentlemen:

Fritz, thanks for the excellent photos. I was pleased to see the discussion on the large 655 marked with the "test proof" as I own three HScs marked in this manner. These are included in the data base referenced above. The condition of my pistols varies (all very respectable). My best is close to that of Fritz's but with some ever so slight wear (damn, I didn't think I wouldn't get outdone on this one). Perhaps I will try photos at some point.

Fritz, I also appreciated the photos on the phosphate finish. I have yet to run across one but hope to at some point.


Keep up the good work, and Happy Hunting! Rob

 

[dobk]

I have 712588 that's around 95%. It also was still with its jhg 41 holster and spare mag. To be curious what's a rig like that worth? A friend of mine is interested in it and if I sell I want to be fair to him but also not beat myself.

 

[adler]

Does your pistol (712588) with a large E/655 on left trigger guard, also have a small Nazi eagle on the rear left tang?

 

[dobk]

Yes, it is the large E/655 with the German Army test proof on the tang.
The holster is in very good condition and marked just like Fritz's. Both mags have the Mauser Banner. Here's an old pic of the set.


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[aaron]

Please allow me to add the information on my recently acquired HSc to the above data base. It is a 95% example bearing the large E/655 on the trigger guard and the military proof on the left tang. The butt on Fritz's pistol bears the letter "O" while mine is marked in exactly the same place with the letter "K." The serial number on mine is 715077.

 

[adler]

Thanks for providing the serial number on your early HSc. Your serial number is near the end of the large E/655 and "military proof" marked pistols. The highest reported</u> such variety is in the range of 715680.
Several small letters observed on the butts include F,J,K,O and V, with their significance never explained. Perhaps these identify the milling machines used in producing the frames. Can anyone shed more light on these stampings?