This is a fine example of the medium frame Mauser Model 1878 revolver that previously resided in the prestigious Joseph Schroeder collection for many years. Joe Schroeder was a well known collector of early automatic pistols and authored several books on the subject. These were a very early Mauser design and examples today are very scarce and desirable to the Mauser pistol collector. These revolvers were collector-named a "Zig-Zag" revolver due to the various zig-zag type slots on the sides of the cylinder. These slots were actually an integral part of the function of the revolver as they were designed to rotate the cylinder during firing. Two other unique/distinguishing features of this pistol is the early "ring-type" cylinder latch located ahead of the frame as well as a safety latch on the lower left side of the frame that engages the cylinder to keep it from rotating when on safe. The top of the barrel rib is roll engraved "GEBR.MAUSER & CIE OBERNDORF A/N. WURTTEMBERG.1878.PATENT". The left side of the barrel lug has the serial number "166" with the matching number on the rear of the cylinder and on top of the locking lug of the frame. The left side of the barrel and cylinder both have an early Mauser single "Crown" proof next to an additional "Crown/U" proofmark. The revolver has the later style round-butt with the two piece checkered walnut grips. This specific pistol has an all nickel plated finish to include the various smaller parts. Although well manufactured and reliable, the Mauser Model 1878 was expensive to manufacture and had limited commercial sales with matching examples being very rare.

Fine with 40% of the thin nickel plated finish overall with minor spotting and flaking on the sides of the frame and cylinder. The grips are also in fine condition with a nice dark original color overall with the coarse/heavy cut checkering showing minor handling marks with light wear across the tops of the diamonds. A nice example of a very scarce and difficult to find early production Mauser Model 1878 Zig-Zag revolver.