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LOT 3444
German Mauser
“Baby” Model 1878
“Zig-Zag” Single Action
Revolver, Serial Number
“5H” - Serial no. 5H, 7.6 mm cal., 3 3/4
inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hardwood
grips. Manufactured c. 1886-1896, the “Baby” “Zig-Zag” takes the hinge frame
variation of the 1878 “Zig-Zag” and scales it down to a size more suitable
for pocket carry and personal protection. It retains the distinctive “Zig-Zag”
mechanical features including the namesake tracked cylinder, break action
loading, and manual ejector; unorthodox by the standards of the day, but well designed
and effective. Blade and notch sights, with “GEBr. MAUSER & Cie OBERNDORF a/N PATENT.” on top
of the barrel rib, “5H” marked on top of the frame (under the barrel lug) and “H5” on the cylinder,
and the matching full and partial serial number marked on various components. The serial
number marking is unusual, as observed 1878s generally don’t use letters or prefixes or suffixes.
Fitted with checkered hardwood grips.
CONDITION: Fine, with 80% of the restored blue, showing some pitting under the finish, dings
on the rib and mild wear and spotting overall. Grips are very fine, with a few dings and crisp
checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3442
Engraved Mauser “Baby” Model
1878 “Zig-Zag” Single Action
Revolver, Inscribed to a Doctor
Gossman of the Oberndorf
Veterans Association with Case -
Serial no. 1011, 7.6 mm cal., 3 3/4 inch
solid rib bbl., nickel finish, gutta percha
grips. Manufactured c. 1886-1896, the
“Baby” “Zig-Zag” takes the robust and mechanically
intriguing 1878 and scales it down, making a compact handgun more suitable for civilian
use or concealed carry. Mechanically and ergonomically, all the features of the larger model
are present, including the fixed sights, top-hinged barrel assembly with ring lever release/
extractor mechanism, and a fine set of gutta percha grips with raised dragon and scroll motifs.
In addition to the “GEBR. MAUSER & Cie OBERNDORF a/N. WURTTEMBERG. 1878.” address on the
barrel rib, this Zig-Zag has been finely engraved over 75% of the surface, with scroll engraving with textured
backgrounds, checkerboard panels on the sides and frontstrap, and a large floral pattern on the back of the
recoil shield. Fancy script engraving is present on both sides of the frame, with “Veteranen Verein/Oberndorf a/N. s/m.” (Veterans Association/Oberndorf am Neckar s/m.) on the left and “Vorstand/Dr. Gossman” (Board/Dr. Gossman)
on the right. Established in many German-speaking cities and communities in the 1700s and 1800s, Veterans Associations served to both provide camaraderie to mustered out soldiers and mutual support for the wounded and
invalid, similar to many American fraternal organizations. Over time, as social welfare programs caught up to the needs of former soldiers, the associations became more social affairs while growing progressively more connected
to the government establishment, becoming a de facto militia and military reserve. Details on Dr. Gossman are unavailable, but presumably he was a ranking member of the organization. This revolver is a match in inscription and
nearly identical in engraving to another Mauser Zig-Zag previous sold via this auction house (August 2025 Auction, Lot 1397). Included with the lot is a blue felt lined hardwood display case, barrel rod and folding screwdriver/oiler.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 98% plus professionally restored nickel finish, showing minor handling overall, with sharp engraving and fine detail in the grip decoration. Mechanically excellent. The relined case is fine, with a few scuffs,
dings and stains.
Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler.
Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000
LOT 3443
German Mauser “Baby” Model
1878 “Zig-Zag” Single Action Revolver with
Gutta Percha Grips - Serial no. 742, 7.6 mm cal., 3
3/4 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, gutta percha grips.
Manufactured c. 1886-1896, the “Baby” “Zig-Zag”
takes the hinge frame variation of the 1878 “Zig-Zag”
and scales it down to a size more suitable for pocket
carry and personal protection. It retains the distinctive
“Zig-Zag” mechanical features including the namesake
tracked cylinder, break action loading, and manual ejector;
unorthodox by the standards of the day, but well designed and effective.
Blade and notch sights, 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: Excellent, with 95% plus original blue on the frame and barrel, 90% plus vivid niter blue on
the cylinder, cylinder stop, and screws, 85% case colors with minor scratches and handling marks overall.
The fine grips show a bit of chipping around the escutcheons, with the right escutcheon loose and
minor scuffs on the fine decoration. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler.
Estimate: 5,000 -
7,000