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LOT 3196
Desirable German
Mauser Model 1878 “Zig-Zag” Single Action
Revolver with Checkered Walnut Grips - Serial no. 2162,
9 mm cal., 5 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut 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 “GEBR. MAUSER & Cie OBERNDORF a/N. WURTTEMBERG.1878.
PATENT.” (factory double stamped) on top of the barrel rib, no externally visible proofmarks, and matching numbers on the frame and cylinder. With a pair of checkered hardwood grips.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 70% original blue finish, with flaking concentrated mainly on the cylinder, smooth brown/gray patina on the balance, scattered freckling, strong patterns of case colors on the hammer
and latch, and distinct markings. Grips are also very fine with tight fitment, a few minor handling marks, a minor wear spot on the lower left, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 1395
Excellent Cased German Mauser
Baby Model 1878 “Zig-Zag” Single
Action Revolver with Accessories -
Serial no. 729, 7.6 mm cal., 3 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. 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. Includes a leatherette case with green felt lined interior, cleaning rod, and an empty 50-count Mauser 7mm/.320 English (also referred to as 7.6 mm) ammunition tin.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% original blue finish, with a few patches of minor surface freckling on the correct niter blued cylinder and cylinder stop safety lever, 97% 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 edges of each grip panel, and defined decorations. Mechanically excellent. Case is fine as relined with
general storage related handling marks and a few cracks at the corners, and the ammunition tin is fine with some absent edges of the label.
Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500