1914 Japanese mauser
 

I been offered a 1914 mauser that has Japanese marking on the rear part of the side. The price he wants is $400.00. Is this 1914 rare? And worth the price?
Thanks
Bob

Bob, These are somewhat rare rifles. Rare, basically, because no one wants them. Most saw hard use with the Chinese, then Japanese, then Chinese or Korean again and aren't much more than wall hangers. If this is the case with this rifle, he's about $275.00 too high. There are so many factors to weigh in, like conditon, matching numbers, it's impossible from your post to give you an accurate estimate. But, I can tell you, you better like this rifle a lot, because the market for these is very small and you'll have a difficult time interesting someone else in it. Glen

Hi. This is not a rifle. It is a 1914 mauser pistol. As I said on the back of the side is the Japanese markings. All japanese officers bought their own pistols. Mausers were very popular with them. Is the $400.00 worth the price of this mauser pistol.

Saki Joe,

IMHO, $400 is a steal if the piece is in good condition. The model 1914 is almost always found with commercial proofs, occasionally as new in the box. Rarer ones have the military proof and they typically command about $100-125 above the commercials in same condition. A private purchase with japanese inscription would be very rare and among Mauser collectors, I would estimate getting $600-700 would be easy. You should get the inscription translated.

Tom A.

Hi Tom Thank you. I plan to go back to the show, and hope its still there. thanks
Bob

1914 JAPANESE MAUSER
 

Hi Tom. Well I went back to the gun show. made it by only 40 min. and bought it for $25.00 less.
The pistol is really nice shape all matching about 89% blueing. bore is nice not mint but nice. the Japanese marking are on the left side of the frame. In a circle. The problem is my wife is Japanese but she can not read the letters. She said it is in the old style Japanese. Can you be of help? I know it is in the Honeycutt book on Japanese pistols. I know I need to buy his book. hope some one out there will know!!!!

Hi Sakijoe,

I am sorry but I have zero ability to read any oriental language, altho I do speak some pidgen Viet Namese and Korean.

Tom A.

I'm sorry, I must have been having a serious lapse. I was thinking of the Chinese Mauser rifles acquired just prior to and immediately after WWI that I've seen languishing here and there over the years and that occasionally pop up in new shipments of imports mixed in with old Chinese Mauser copies.

Sakijoe, go to the Bonzai Japanese website, they have guys that collect just Japanese guns, and can read many types of Japanese writing, might get lucky.

http://www.gunboards.com/forums/default.asp?CAT_ID=6

Are you sure it's not a Chinese marked pistol? Several were produced for a Chinese contract. Simpson has a 1934 on their site, for sale.

Ron

Ron I just checked out the Simpson web site. The markings are not the same.