This rare early commercial low grip screw Mauser HSc pistol, serial number 700296, is the 296th production example, as manufactured c. late 1940. Reportedly, approximately 1,350 of these early production frames were manufactured by Mauser with the low grip screw placement, seen in the 700000-701000 serial range, and it was decided to assemble and sell them this way due to demand before moving the grip screw position up 3/4 of an inch on production examples made after. A reported 500 of the low grip screw HSc pistols went to the Kriegsmarine, with one example known to have been purchased by the army, and the remainder sold commercially like this example. Fixed front sight, matted slide channel and fixed rear sight. Left side of slide with Mauser banner followed by two-line manufacturer address, model and caliber markings. "S" and red dot safety markings. "Eagle/N" proofs on right side of slide, right of the chamber (concealed by the slide) and trigger guard. Full serial number on bottom of the frontstrap with matching number "296" stamped on the bottom of the barrel and also electropenciled on the bottom of the slide. Walnut grips with impressed checkering. Correct magazine with in the white body and blue rounded Mauser banner floorplate.

Extremely fine, retains 90% plus original blue finish with some minor high edge wear at the leading edges of the slide, some finish discoloration at the front of the frame, and some light freckling on the grip straps. Grips are very fine with some light wear, reglued cracked sections visible at the top rear corner of the left panel and top front corner of the right panel, and handling marks. Mechanically excellent.