Manufactured circa 1928-1933 at the Taku Naval Yard at the mouth of the Hai River, this is a top quality copy of a Flat Side Mauser Broomhandle Pistol. The Mauser Broomhandle was one of the most popular weapons bar none in China during it's heyday, and demand was so high that local manufacturers got into the game. While some of these copies are backyard slap-togethers that would be an insult to the word "crude". Arsenal-made examples such as this are competitive with Mauser's own product. Blade front and tangent rear sight graduated to 1000, with a large ring hammer, a pair of matching numbered 17-groove grips and a base for a lanyard ring. This pistol is photographed and identified by serial number on page 244 of "The Broomhandle Pistol:1896-1936" by Erickson & Pate.

Very fine with 85% blue with some patches of cold blue covered-over pitting, strongest at the muzzle, as well as some bright edge wear and scattered scratches. Some dings are present on and around the floor plate. Grips are fine with mild dings. Mechanically excellent. A fine piece that would be a choice addition to a collection of Chinese Civil War/Sino-Japanese War weapons or a good stand-in for the Flat Side Broomhandle in a German pistol collection.