This is a very fine example of a extremely rare early Mauser Model 1912/14 prototype, semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9 mm Luger. These were all manufactured around the same time the Model 1912 Mauser Humpback pistols were manufactured. They were based on the smaller 1910 pattern Mauser pistol and scaled up to use the larger 9 mm caliber. The Mauser factory was intending to capture a larger share of the small handgun market by introducing this pistol chambered in the more powerful 9 mm Luger cartridge. It is estimated that fewer than 200 were ever manufactured with no more than a handful even known to exist today. The majority of these were probably sold to the German military or at least in Europe with the sales record from Hans Tauscher indicating that approximately 8 were sold in the 1914-16 time frame in the U.S. The highest recorded serial number so far is "166". This example being "162" clearly indicating it is a very late production pistol. The left side of the slide is marked "WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER A.-G.OBERNDORF A.N. MAUSER'S PATENT". The full serial number "162" stamped on top of the rear section of the slide, directly below that on the rear of the frame and the back side of the magazine, and the various other parts including the barrel, takedown latch, trigger, side plate, slide release and internal parts have the partial number "62" with the grips being unnumbered. The pistol was finished in a high polish Mauser blue on the major parts with barrel latch, safety lever, trigger, rear sight, some internal parts have a Mauser heat blue finish. The magazine is nickel plated exactly like the earlier 1912 humpback model pistols. It is fitted with a one-piece checkered wraparound walnut grip, which has been factory embellished with a fine German silver wire border around the checkering and a single small German silver/nickel plate at the top on the left side.

Fine plus. The pistol retains 60% plus of the original blue finish showing some wear on the edges, high spots and front grip strap. The silver inlaid grip has been revarnished with a section of the inlay missing on the left side around the outside border. This is a beautiful example of an extremely rare prototype Mauser Model 1912/14 pistol. If you collect Mauser pistols or Mauser firearms in general, this is a must have piece for any high end collection. With so few even still existing in the world today, you need to step up and not let this one get away!