This is an excellent example of an early small ring, commercial Model 1896 Broomhandle Mauser pistol that is French Retailers marked. The top of the barrel is marked with: "Manufacture Francarse d' Armes & Cycles de Saint ---- Etienne". This is a very rare marking as it indicates this pistol was imported into France for retail sales, and these markings are rarely encountered. This early pistol has the standard "Crown/U" proof on the barrel extension and top of the rear section of the bolt, with the chamber marked: "WAFFENFABRIK/MAUSER/OBERNDORF A/N". The right side of the frame is marked: "WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER/OBERNDORF A. NECKAR". It has the standard tangent rear sight graduated from 50-1,000 meters with the fixed blade front sight and the short extractor and non-NS marked hammer. It is fitted with a set of standard walnut grips with a lanyard loop ring on the butt. The grips are grooved on each sides and they are both numbered "735" on the back of each grip. The pistol has the rust blue finish with the heat blue trigger, elevation slide and safety lever. It is complete with a matching combination wooden shoulder stock/holster. These were the standard issue when ordered as a complete rig. The top of the attaching iron is stamped "735".

Excellent with 98% of the original blue finish overall with minor edge wear with 95% of the nitre blued finish on the trigger, safety lever and extractor. The holster is also in near excellent condition with 95% of the blue finish on the attaching iron, hinges and release button. There is a 3 inch age crack starting at the lower, front edge of the hinge, going forward. The pistol as noted has all matching numbers. A very nice looking, Rare French Retailers marked 1896 Mauser pistol rig with matching stock.