Page 408 - 4095-BOOK1

LOT 460
German Mauser
Baby Model 1878
“Zig-Zag” Single Action Revolver - Serial
no. 185, 7.6 mm cal., 3 5/8 inch solid rib bbl.,
nickel finish, gutta percha grips. Manufactured c. 1886-1896
as a hinged frame example. 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.”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 raised dragon and floral themed decorations.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% period retailer applied nickel finish with some scattered areas of flaking, a few small patches of light pitting, some light handling marks, and crisp barrel markings. Grips
are fine with a brown appearance, some light handling marks, and distinct designs. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 459
Excellent German Mauser Model 1878
“Zig-Zag” Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 266,
10.6 mm cal., 5 5/8 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, gutta percha
grips. Manufactured c. 1886-1896 as a hinged frame example. 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. 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 “WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER OBERNDORF a/N NECKAR” on top of the barrel rib,
“crown/crown/U” proofs on the left of the barrel assembly and on the cylinder. “266” on the lug area of the frame and repeated on various components, with “2266” on the left of the barrel assembly. With a
pair of finely decorated gutta percha grip panels with checkering and raised floral decorations.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus original blue finish, with a few patches of minor surface freckling on the cylinder and front sight/muzzle area, 95% plus vivid original case colors on the hammer
and lever, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Grips are also excellent with tight fitment, a few small minor nicks at the upper front edge of the right grip panel, and distinct decorations.
Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
406