C96 'Broom-handle' Mauser pistol.

[alvin]

Tom, obviously you know German uniform well. I bought a card back a while ago, which I am using as a bookmark. Any thought on their unit? Cavalry?

Comparing two photos, the hanging position of the holster on the belt had some difference. On that one-man wartime photo, the hanging position was low, most likely, the hinge on the wood holster had a loop, and attached to the belt via a short leather band. Holster with loop, if matching, it's a 7,63mm M1912 variation. On the four-man photo, the hanging position was high. The harness had a clip on the other side, which could hook the holster to the belt. But that's not secure enough, a shoulder strap could help. Two men did not use shoulder straps, probably they were in a training facility. Covered by leather, but looks like wood holster had loop on hinge as well. Most likely, what they carried was also 7,63mm M1912 variation. From their facial expression, clean uniform, snow-white sword decoration..... this four-man photo should be a prewar photo.

But I don't know their unit. Cavalry training school?