This is a unique example of a small ring 20 Shot Broomhandle Mauser that was most likely a 1920s assembly utilizing a left over 20 shot frame from earlier production. These 20 shot pistols are seldom encountered as they were produced in exceptionally small numbers. Part of the rarity was due to the fact that this model of pistol required a special one-piece frame forging which required a special nonstandard production run of forgings. They also proved to be some what unwieldy when fully loaded and they also required a special larger wooden shoulder stock, both of these attributes proved to be unpopular and only contributed to the demise of this model, which was eventually dropped entirely from production. The large 20 shot pistols were actually an attempt by the Mauser factory to provide a high capacity, semi-automatic pistol to compete with the Spanish Astra equivalent, that was also produced during this time frame. It is estimated a total of fewer than 100 of these 20 shot pistols were produced in all configurations and styles, consequently making any example of this pistol very rare. As noted, this is an early small ring model that was probably produced using one of the earlier frame forgings. The top of the barrel extension is marked "WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER OBERNDORF A/N" and the left side has a double Crown over a single "U" proof mark with no proof on the right side. The bottom of the barrel in front of the lower receiver shows early Oberndorf script letter proofs. This pistol has all the desirable late features except the early style 20 shot frame forgings. The other features are the short extractor on top of the breech bolt, the small ring hammer, late type, first style safety lever that you pull/push up to engage the safety, the late tangent rear graduated from 50-1000 meters, and the late type double-lug firing pin. The walnut grips have 23 grooves and are correctly numbered on the back side with the full serial number (542) of the pistol. It is complete with the Lanyard ring on the bottom of the frame.

Professionally restored with 98% rust blued finish overall, with only minor edge and high spot wear overall with some thinning on the back strap and front edges of the frame. The various small parts, extractor, rear sight slide and bolt lock all retain 60% plus of their heat blued finish. The wooden grips are also in excellent condition showing minor handling marks overall. The serial numbers on the pistol are matching. The rear flat section of the frame area, directly in front of the trigger on both sides of the pistol, shows some minor areas of pin-prick pitting.