This is an excellent example of an original unaltered late production 1896 "Cone Hammer" Mauser pistol. These early Mauser pistols have the very distinctive circular pattern on the sides of the hammer which gives it the "Cone Hammer" name so commonly used in the collector field. This specific pistol is doubly desirable in that it has the "Westley Richards" import markings on the right side frame panel, but it also comes fitted with the original Westley Richards marked combination wooden holster/shoulder stock. Westley Richards was probably the most famous of the British companies that did import/export work with Mauser in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They were synonymous with big game hunting and adventurers up to WWII. This pistol could have easily been shipped to Sudan or the Middle East in the early 1900s, as they were a favorite sidearm during this time. It is a actually a late production version that is marked on top of the chamber "WAFFENFABRIK, MAUSER, OBERNDORF A/N" with the "crown/crown/U" proof on the left side of the barrel extension and the small Oberndorf "Antler" proof on the right side. This model has the fully milled side panels and frame rails, long extractor, rear sight graduated for 50-500 meters, the two position safety, and the early style firing pin retained with a dovetailed block. The right center frame panel has been engraved with "WESTLEY RICHARDS & Co. Ld./LONDON W." It has the correct walnut grips with 23 grooves with the lanyard ring on the bottom of the grip. It is complete with an original (albeit non-matching) shoulder stock/combination holster that has the extremely rare Westley Richards marking on the right side which consist of 1 1/2x1 inch oval logo proof which is marked "WESTLY RICHARDS & CO. LD/LONDON" around the edges with a single large pyramid in the center.

Excellent overall with 97% of the original blue on the pistol with only minor wear on the lower edges and very front edge of the magazine well, with some very minor wear or thinning on the underside of the barrel, the front edges of the frame rails and the rear grip strap around the stock slot. It retains 95% of the original heat blued finish on the small parts. The grips are also excellent showing a nice even honey brown finish with minimal handling marks. The stock is in very good condition overall showing more wear, pressure dents and dings from actual use and very clear and distinct Westley Richards markings. The attaching iron has 70% of the blue finish remaining mostly browned out overall with some minor pitting under the finish. An early 1896 Mauser pistol with extremely rare Westley Richards markings. Additional Information: The wooden shoulder stock/holster in this lot does not match this pistol.