Page 350 - Auction84-Book2

348
LOT 1695
Highly Attractive Presentation Engraved Mauser “Bolo” Broomhandle Semi-
Automatic Pistol with Highly Figured Stock - Serial no. 603011, 7.63 mm Mauser auto cal., 4 inch round bbl., blue finish, fancy checkered walnut grips. Blade front and tangent rear sights graduated to 1,000 meters, with the top of the chamber marked “WAFFENFABRIK/MAUSER/OBERNDORF A/N”, “Crown/Crown/U” proof on the upper left, and the serial number on the left side flat. Matching numbers are present on the receiver, bolt, hammer, housing and frame. Roughly 85% of the pistol is decorated with fine engraving, chiefly in a floral pattern with some scroll and geometric accents. Both grip panels are numbered to match the pistol and constructed from fancy walnut, with sharp checkering and attractive mother of pearl inlays at the top and bottom. The left side of the grip frame has the importer mark under the grip panel. Includes a smooth fancy walnut stock holster, numbered “011” to match the pistol inside the lid and on the blued mounting iron, and properly sized for the Bolo pattern grip. While not explicitly documented, the quality of the engraving and the extra-fancy pearl inlaid grips have been seen on known presentation Mauser Broomhandle pistols, which were both special ordered by customers and ordered by the company for presentation to people in a position to boost sales and visibility; the recipient is unknown, but they were likely very important, even if only to the person who placed the order. Similar engraved Bolos can be seen on page 65 of Know Your Broomhandle Mausers, 136-137 of The Broomhandle Pistol: 1896-1936, and 203 of System Mauser.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% plus original blue finish, showing a few areas of gray patina, mild edge wear and light handling marks. The safety and rear sight show a strong, near black color, with a strong gray finish on the hammer
and vivid niter blue on the trigger and bolt takedown stud. A few light dings and handling marks are present on the otherwise excellent furniture, with the stock in particular showing a very rich grain pattern and strong inlays in the grip panels. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 50,000 - 75,000
NOTICE THE STOCK IS NUMBERED TO THE PISTOL