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LOT 1321
Excellent German Mauser Baby Model 1878 ‘Zig-
Zag’ Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 1002, 7.6
mm cal., 3 5/8 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, gutta percha grips. Developed in 1878,
the C78 or Model 1878 “Zig-Zag” revolver was the first handgun designed and developed
by Paul Mauser and his firm. 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 Reichs revolver instead. 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. Matching full and partial serial number on various components and handwritten inside the gutta percha grip panels with raised dragon and floral themed decorations.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% original nickel finish with a few scattered small patches of light pitting, some light handling marks and otherwise crisp barrel markings and edges. Grips are also excellent with some light handling marks and defined edges. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 1322
Very Scarce Cased, Inscribed Webley .455 MK.II Double Action Revolver Inscribed for Captain T. Vernon with Interchangeable
.297/.230 (Morris) Training Adapter - Serial no. 61155, 455/476 cal., 4 inch bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Retailed by the Liverpool
firm of Hooton & Jones, this revolver is inscribed on the grip strap and on the case lid with the owner’s name “CAPT. T. VERNON.” Thomas Thorneycroft
Vernon (1862-1919), the third son of Sir William Vernon, Baronet of Shotwick Park in Cheshire, is recorded as serving in the British Army as a second lieutenant in the King’s (Liverpool Regiment) 4th Volunteer Battalion starting in February 1895, then as a captain in the same from May 1896. The unit became the King’s (Liverpool
Regiment) 7th Volunteer Battalion in April 1908, and he was promoted to major in May 1910 and retired in 1912 but then rejoined the battalion as a lieutenant colonel in October 1914 with the start of
World War I. He received an honorary promotion to commandant of the 10th (Wallasey) V.B. Cheshire Regiment. He was a member of Messrs. William Vernon & Sons and an electrical and marine engineer. The barrel, cylinder,
frame and trigger guard are blued, and the top strap is engraved “HOOTON & JONES/60 DALE ST. LIVERPOOL” on the upper surface. The frame has the serial number, “WEBLEY PATENTS” and winged bullet logo on the left side,
checkered hard rubber grips and lanyard loop. In its original fitted oak case lined in blue baize, the inside of the lid
with printed trade label for Hooton & Jones, the outside of the lid with circular brass escutcheon engraved “CAPT. T.T. VERNON/
LIVERPOOL.” The case containing the factory original .297/.230 (Morris) cylinder and barrel insert. With cleaning rod.
CONDITION: This extremely scarce cased revolver set remains very fine. The revolver retains 80% original blue finish with some areas fading. The grips are excellent. The case is fine with some age wear and staining to lining and age related storage and handling marks on the exterior. The trade label is discolored. The conversion adapter is very good. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 1323
German Mauser Model
1878 ‘Zig-Zag’ Single Action
Revolver - Serial no. 269, 10.6 mm cal., 5 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Developed in 1878, the C78 or Model 1878 “Zig-Zag” revolver was
the first handgun designed and developed by Paul Mauser and his firm. 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 Reichs
revolver instead. 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, “crown/V” German proof (not to be confused with the London proof ) on the left of the barrel shroud and frame. Matching full and partial serial number on various components including the walnut grip panels.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 30% period refurbished blue finish with smooth gray and brown patina on the balance with some scattered areas of light to moderate corrosion and pitting, and defined barrel markings. Grips are fine with a few light wear areas in the otherwise sharp checkering and some light handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500