1378 MAUSER C96 BOLO FRENCH GENDARME SEMI-AUTOMATIC

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 600.00 USD
Estimated at 1,200.00 - 1,800.00 USD
PISTOL. Cal. 7.63mm. S# 432637. Bbl. 4". C96 Bolo French Gendarme semi-automatic pistol mfg. by Mauser for the French police and commercial sales, this example having been made for export, as reflected by "GERMANY" on the left frame. Right side of frame with Mauser's mfg. information. Top flat of the faceted breech is marked with Mauser's mfg. information, with the S# on the left quarter flat and a double crown over "U" proof on the left flat. Frame and bbl./bbl. extension exhibit a rust blue finish, with some smaller components, including the rear sight tangent, bolt stop, safety lever, and trigger, exhibiting a nitre blue finish. Frame is mounted with 2-piece checkered gutta percha grips. Blade front sight with tangent rear sight graduated from 50 to 500 meters. All numbers match, with the exception of the floorplate which is numbered "0488". Grips are matching via the full S#, which is hand-scribed on the interior of the panels. CONDITION: metal components retain the majority of their original factory blue finish, exhibiting scattered areas of wear and thinning that show through to gray patina, with scattered superficial handling marks overall. Very bright bore, exhibiting some light pitting and strong rifling throughout. Grips exhibit some smoothing and a few marks from handling and storage, but otherwise remain sturdy and serviceable. A scarce variation and well documented variation in the serial range 430,000-434,000. PROVENANCE: the collection of Curtis H. Halvorson. (23-5828/MLW). CURIO. $1,200-1,800.