This Mauser pocket pistol model 1914 is a blowback design, striker fired, semi-automatic pistol that is chambered in 7.65mm(.32 ACP). The barrel is stationary or locked in place at all times but is easily removable for service. The pistol is fed by an 8 round detachable box magazine. It utilizes a blade type front sight and a V notch rear sight. The pistol uses a one piece wrap around Walnut wood grip. The total length of the pistol is 6.1 inches and it weighs in at an unloaded weight of 21 ounces. The pistol has a manual safety that is located on the left side of the frame and operated by the users thumb. The pistol also incorporates an automatic magazine safety which blocks the firing of the pistol when the magazine is removed. There is a slide hold-open device installed on this pistol, but once the slide is in the open position, it can only be released by inserting a fresh magazine either empty or charged.

This Mauser pocket pistol model 1914 was manufactured some time between 1923 and 1929. This 1914 post war is the most commonly found model of this version. This pistol has no military acceptance stamps so there is a good chance that it was originally intended for commercial sales.

The Mauser pocket pistol model 1914 gets it shape and appearance from the patents of the Mauser model 1907 pistol. The first of these pistols was the model 1910 which did not go into commercial sales until the original designs of the 1907 pistol patent had been considerably modified . The most noticeable of these changes was that the 1907 is a locked breech weapon while the 1910 is of the blowback design. The model 1910 which looks very similar to the pistol on this page is chambered for the 6.35mm(.25 ACP) cartridge.

In 1914 Mauser used the design of the model 1910 and built the model 1914 that is chambered for the larger 7.65mm(.32 ACP) round. The main difference between the two models was in the dimensions to accept the larger caliber round. There was also some minor design changes such as the lug at the rear of the barrel which is discussed in the pictures below. Then twenty years later in 1934, the factory director, August Weiß whose nickname was 'Parabellum-Weiß' came out with the final design to this pistol that changed the shape of the grip to fit more comfortably in the hand. All three models of this pistol, 1910, 1914 and the 1934 are mechanically identical. The parts can be easily interchanged between the model 1914 and the model 1934. Given that the three pistols look nearly the same, and are mechanically the same, and that the parts between two version can interchange, lends itself to a lot of confusion among collectors as to exactly which model of the pistol they may have in their collection. All three of these models are exceptionally well made and were the best pocket pistols that Mauser produced at the time.

So which version do you have? Below are some rough model guidelines that might be able to help. Keep in mind that with-in these models there will be sub-variations which have some minor differences. Mauser did not officially designate model names for all of these different variations of this pistol. The Mauser firm commonly referred to it as simply the model 1910. It is the collectors, historians, researchers and authors that further derived model designations based on the earliest year of significant change in design or appearance. As such, there will always be some debate when it comes to model names and variations. With that in mind, lets dig into some of the variations of this pistol and learn a little more about it. All models can have either a wood or plastic grip. The early plastic grip will have the MW(Mauser Werke) monogram while the Mauser banner is found on the late curved back plastic grip. The date of manufacture and the serial number ranges found below are credited to John LaCroix’s excellent AutoMag articles.

1910 Sidelatch, this variation was manufactured between 1910 to 1913 with a serial number range of 1 to 61000. This version is appropriately named due to the latch in the left side plate. The early versions are found with a smaller diameter safety release. This model is found with 2 different slide markings.

Some time around serial number 162,500 the right side of the slide is stamped “Mauser 7.65”. Around serial number 277,000 the milled panel on the frame was discontinued. 1910/14 model, this variation was manufactured between 1921 to 1928 with a serial number range between 221800 to 345000. Those made before 1914 have serial numbers between 1 and 61,000 and those made during or after 1914 have serial numbers between 61,000 and 152,000 (1914-1917) and between 200,000 and 403,000 (1919-1934). The latter figures include 1914 models in both 6.35mm and the larger 7.65mm (.32 ACP), added to Mauser’s pocket pistol offerings in July. One such 6.35 mm pistol, serial number 7, is shown on page 76 of Mauser Pistolen. In the case of the 6.35 mm pistol, the ends of the buffer spring fitted into square holes in each side of the slide. The Model 1909 pistols in 6.35 mm may be regarded as prototypes for the Model 1910. Part I: The Model 1910.

Humpback, this variation is very rare and was manufactured between 1912 to 1913 with a serial number range of 1 to 2800. This model is referred to as the humpback version due to a hump at the top of the slide. This model is found with many variations and slight changes to the smaller parts, but all will have a hump on the slide. The early models have a 3 line slide marking while later models have a 2 line stamping. Some collectors consider this version a prototype.

1914 model, this variation was manufactured between 1913 to 1914 with a serial number range between 2801 to13500. This variation will be found with a 2 line slide marking.

1910/14 model, this variation was manufactured between 1914 to 1921 with a serial number range between 61000 to 221800. This variation has no latch in the side plate and will be found with 9 slide serrations on each side of the slide.

1914 model, this variation was manufactured between 1914 to 1923 with a serial number range between 13500 to 296000. This variation will be found with a single line slide stamping on the left side. Late models will not have the Mauser Banner on the left side plate. Some time around serial number 162,500 the right side of the slide is stamped “Mauser 7.65”. Around serial number 277,000 the milled panel on the frame was discontinued.

1910/14 model, this variation was manufactured between 1921 to 1928 with a serial number range between 221800 to 345000. This version will be found with 7 slide serrations on each side of the slide.

Mauser P38 Pistol Serial Numbers

1914 model, this variation was manufactured between 1923 to 1929 with a serial number range between 277000 to 460000. This variation will be found with a 2 line left slide stamping. The 1914 post war model is the most often encountered. It is this version that is pictured on this web page.

1914/34 model, this variation was manufactured between 1929 to 1933, with a serial number range between 460000 to 526000. This variation will have a single line left side slide marking and a straight grip. Late models will be found with a slot cut into the forward part of the slide containing the serial number. The smaller parts are finished with a potassium nitrate(saltpeter) or hot bluing process. In this hot bluing process, as the temperature is brought up, the surface turns a straw color which proceeds to blue and then to black. If it is stopped at the blue stage, the color will be a gorgeous deep royal blue not achievable any other way. Very expensive custom guns are often found blued this way.

1910/34 model, this variation was manufactured between 1928 to 1936 with a serial number range between 345000 to 403300. This variation is found with a strait grip and a single line left side slide marking. The finish is a cold blue with the smaller parts being finished in a potassium nitrate(saltpeter) or hot bluing process as described above.

Mauser Pistol Serial Numbers

1934 model, this variation was manufactured between 1933 to 1941 with a serial number range between 498250 to 617000. This variation will have a curved grip and a single line left side slide marking. The model is finished with a hot bluing process.

Mauser Broomhandle Pistol Serial Numbers

1910/34 model, this variation was manufactured between 1936 to 1941, with a serial number range between 403300 to 429000. This variation will have a curved grip and the only serial number showing will be on the slide. Late models will be found with a slot cut into the forward part of the slide containing the serial number.

Mauser Serial Number Guide

For pictures of many of the different models, please see a pdf. document that was put together by my friend Burgess located at the MauserGuns website.

The model 1934 was used by the German armed forces as a substitute standard sidearm. The pistol was also adopted in 1936 by the various police and security forces of Germany. The pistol saw service with the German Kriegsmarine(Navy), the Luftwaffe(Air Force) and the Wehrmacht(Army) which ordered about 8,000 pistols.

This pistol design was also very popular with the Japanese army. The Japanese would normally label handgun ammunition by the firearm the ammunition was intended for rather than by the caliber or size of the round. When the Japanese manufactured ammunition for the Mauser pocket pistol they labeled it just that, 'mo shiki chu gata ken ju dan yaku' or “Mauser type medium sized pistol cartridges'.

C96 Mauser Pistol Serial Numbers

This pistol design was produced from 1910 until 1941 with close to a million pistols being manufactured. Some variations of this model are quite common, while others are extremely rare. The Mauser firm stopped production of this pistol at the beginning of WWII and replaced it with the HSC model.