This Mauser pistol shows a combination of German and British proofs, suggesting import into Great Britain by way of the London Proof House. No records of the original owner are available, but Broomhandles were popular private purchase sidearms for British officers with an appetite for modern firepower, including such figures as T.E. Lawrence and Winston Churchill. Blade front and tangent rear sights, with the London caliber and tonnage markings down the right side of the barrel, "crown/crown/U" and the Mauser banner on the top flat of chamber, and a small "crown/GP" on the right side of the frame next to the two-line Oberndorf address. Matching numbers are present on the chamber, bolt, hammer, hammer housing and frame, with straw and niter blue finished small parts and a pair of ribbed grips. The pistol is attributed by the consignor to the collection of Gene Medlin, author of "French Service Handguns 1858-2004" and noted collector of French and German handguns.

Fine with 70% of the original blue finish, showing a number of light nicks and scratches overall, scattered mild spotting, some bright edge wear and a few spots of gray or brown patina. The crudely made replacement grips are poor, unnumbered on the interior, with dark stained finish. Mechanically excellent.