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LOT 458
Extraordinary, Stunning, Presentation Engraved and Gold Plated German
Mauser Model 1878 “Zig-Zag” Single Action Revolver, with Gold Inlaid
Monogram Attributed to King Wilhelm II of Wurttemberg, and the Coat
of Arms of Wurttemberg - Serial no. 902, 10.6 mm cal., 5 5/8 inch part octagon
bbl., blue/gold finish, gutta percha grips. Manufactured c. 1886-1896 as a hinged
frame example. Offered here is an extraordinary presentation engraved Mauser
“Zig-Zag” revolver. It features gold plated components and the left of the frame
has a gold inlaid Royal monogram that appears to be a “(crown)/W”, attributed to
King Wilhelm II of Wurttemberg, and a coat of arms of the German state Kingdom
of Wurttemberg consisting of a lion and a deer with a crowned oval escutcheon in
the middle, above a ribbon that reads “Furchtlos und trew” (Fearless and loyal). The
revolver also features highly attractive ornate engraving on the frame, barrel and
topstrap assembly, cylinder, latch, and hammer, consisting of intricate floral scroll
designs in panel scenes, and pattern borders. Wilhelm II of Wurttemberg (Wilhelm
Karl Paul Heinrich Friedrich, anglicized “William II”; February 25, 1848-October 2,
1891), ruled as the last King of Wurttemberg starting on October 6, 1891, when
his uncle King Charles I of Wurttemberg died, until the dissolution of the kingdom
at the end of World War I, and was the very last German ruler to step down from
his position on November 30, 1918. During his time as King of Wurttemberg,
Wilhelm II was well liked by the people, and was known to walk his two dogs in
public parks in Stuttgart without bodyguards, where he would commonly greet
people. A modern statue stands outside of Wilhelmspalais (Wilhelm’s Palace),
his former living quarters, which has been rebuilt and is today the Stuttgart City
Museum, in the German state of Wurttemberg. This stunning embellished revolver
appears to have been made as a presentation gift to Wilhelm II of Wurttemberg by
Mauser, as a means of displaying their finest work, a token of respect to the king
of the German state, Wurttemberg, that Mauser’s Oberndorf factory was located
in, and likely an attempt to interest the king in military contracts. Developed in
1878, the “Zig-Zag” revolver was the first handgun designed and developed by
Paul Mauser and his firm, while still operating in partnership with Wilhelm Mauser
as the Mauser Brothers (prior to 1884). A competitor to be the first centerfire
cartridge-fed handgun adopted by the German military, the 1878 scored high
marks in overall performance, though concerns about the complexity of the design
led them to choose the 1879 Reichsrevolver instead. In 1886, the hinged frame
variation was introduced. A number are believed to have seen service as privately
purchased military sidearms. At the heart of the mechanism is the combination of
an angular track (the titular “Zig-Zag”) machined into the side of the cylinder and
a toothed reciprocating bar linked to the hammer, which serves to both advance
and lock the cylinder, in contrast to the more commonly seen pawl/sprocket and
stop arrangement. Additionally, the spring
responsible for resetting the cocking bar
also powers the hammer, replacing the grip
frame mounted leaf spring commonly seen
in that era. For loading, the barrel assembly
is hinged at the rear of the top strap,
automatically pushing the hammer back
to the safety notch when opened, with the
closure latch doubling as the lever for a star-
pattern extractor assembly. Sights are fixed,
with “GEBR. MAUSER & Cie OBERNDORF
a/N. WURTTEMBERG. 1878. PATENT.” on top
of the barrel rib, and the matching full and
partial serial number marked on various
components. With a pair of finely decorated
gutta percha grip panels with foliate scroll
border around checkered panels. Includes a
modern custom wooden/leather case with a
felt lined fitted interior for the revolver.
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