This excellent cased Mauser Model 1896 "flatside" pistol was manufactured in 1899, and is specially presentation inscribed in fancy script on the right of the frame with "General J.H. Wilson/ U.S.A." in two lines. James Harrison Wilson (September 2, 1837-February 23, 1925) was a famous Union Civil War general who had a distinguished military career spanning through the Spanish-American War and Boxer Rebellion. At the time of his death in 1925, Wilson was the fourth-to-last surviving Union Civil War general. A member of the West Point class of 1860, Wilson was a classmate of George Armstrong Custer. At the start of the Civil War, Wilson received promotion to second and first lieutenant and became the topographical engineer for the Port Royal Expeditionary Force between September 1861-March 1862. He transferred to the Army of the Potomac in April 1862, and later transferred to the western theater with the Army of the Tennessee under major general Ulysses S. Grant. In 1864, Wilson switched from engineering to cavalry. Grant subsequently promoted him to brevet major general on May 6, 1864, and Wilson was selected to command a division in general Phillip Sheridan's Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac. His success as a cavalry leader in Virginia led to his appointment as chief of Cavalry in the Military Division of the Mississippi in late 1864. In the west, Wilson transformed the Union cavalry, and famously defeated the Confederate cavalry genius general Nathan Bedford Forrest. Wilson ended the Civil War as a brevet major-general, and resigned from the army in 1870, and devoted his time to travel, business and public affairs, and wrote about a number of subjects. In 1898, he volunteered for the Spanish-American War and returned to the Army, during which he served as military governor of Puerto Rico and participated in the occupation of Cuba as a major general of volunteers. In 1901, Wilson was second-command of the American troops sent to China to assist European and Japanese forces in suppression of the Boxer Rebellion and relief of the besieged legations in Peking. At this time, Wilson was promoted to brigadier-general in the regular Army by a special act of Congress, in recognition of his distinguished service. Wilson retired from the Army in 1902, and represented President Theodore Roosevelt at the coronation of Edward VII of the United Kingdom. During this course of events at the turn of the century, this presentation inscribed Mauser would have been given to him, possibly as a returning or parting gift for his services. James H. Wilson died in 1925, as the last survivor of the West Point Class of 1860 and one of the most respected Union Army Civil War general officers. The early pattern Mauser C96 "flatside" Broomhandle pistol features a large ring hammer and early type safety. The left side of the frame has retailer marking "VON LENGERKE/& DETMOLD/NEW-YORK" in three lines, the top of the chamber is marked "WAFFENFABRIK/MAUSER/OBERNDORF A/N." in three lines, the full serial number "21158" is marked on the left side of the barrel at the chamber, on the back of the frame and lock frame, with partial serial number "158" on the bolt, hammer and lock frame stop, "crown/crown/U" commercial proof stamped on the left of the barrel below the serial number, and several smaller proofs are located on the underside of the barrel and on the back strap. The pistol case is covered in pebble-grained black leather and lined with chamois leather. A similar case is illustrated in figure 228 on page 188 of "The Mauser Self-Loading Pistol" by Belford and Dunlap. The leather case has a double key latch and a fitted interior with a compartment for the pistol and stock, cleaning rod, stripper clips, leather ammunition cases, and includes two keys. The included walnut holster/shoulder stock is marked with matching serial number "21158" on the attaching iron.

Excellent, retains 90% plus original blue finish with some finish loss concentrated on the grip straps, several small scratches visible on the underside of the barrel, scattered minor freckling, 80% original niter blue finish on the small components, and a sharp inscription. Grips are very fine, with a few minor handling marks and crisp grooves. Mechanically excellent. The shoulder stock is very fine, with some scattered light scratches and dents, two hairline cracks visible ahead of the iron hinge, some corrosion on the iron components, and defined edges. The case is fine, with general age related wear and a few areas of absent leather. This presentation cased Mauser C96 flatside pistol inscribed to general James H. Wilson, the famous Union Civil War cavalry leader who put an end to Confederate Nathan Bedford Forrest's command, would make a prime addition to any prominent military collection.