This is a very fine example of a scarce small frame Mauser Model 1878 revolver that previously resided in the prestigious Joseph Schroeder collection for many years. Joe Schroeder was a well known collector of early automatic pistols and authored several books on the subject. These were a very early Mauser design and examples today are very scarce and desirable to the Mauser pistol collector. This revolver was collector-named a "Zig-Zag" revolver due to the various zig-zag type slots on the sides of the cylinder. These slots were actually an integral part of the function of the revolver as they were designed to rotate the cylinder during firing. Two other unique/distinguishing features of this pistol is the early "ring-type" cylinder latch located ahead of the frame as well as a safety latch on the lower left side of the frame that engages the cylinder to keep it from rotating when on safe. The top of the barrel rib is roll engraved "GEBR.MAUSER & CIE OBERNDORF A/N. WURTTEMBERG.1878.PATENT". The left side of the barrel lug has the serial number "606" with the matching number on the rear of the cylinder and on top of the locking lug of the frame. The left side of the barrel and cylinder both have an early Mauser single "Crown" proof next to an additional "Crown/U" proofmark. The revolver has later style round-butt with the early Mauser two-piece hard rubber grips that have a stylized Griffin Dragon on floral vines on the sides of the grips. This specific pistol has an all nickel plated finish to include the various smaller parts. Although well manufactured and reliable, the Mauser Model 1878 was expensive to manufacture and had limited commercial sales with matching examples being very rare.

Fine, with 60% of the original nickel plated finish overall with minor spotting and flaking on the sides of the frame. The cylinder has some deep pitting present on one side. The grips are good with a nice original color overall with clear and distinct designs on the sides, showing moderate wear with a chip missing out of lower right panel. An excellent example of a very scarce and difficult to find early Mauser Model 1878 revolver!