Mauser Parabellum
 

Don't post very often, but last Saturday, I received my copy of Don Hallock and Joop van der Kant's new book and have spent the last few days "using" the book. A work that took more than four years to complete.

I collected my first Luger, a 1940 42, in 1961. Bought it in the mountains of northern Italy from a WWII era partisan. Today my collection numbers over 200, mostly Lugers and 1911/1911A1s ranging from the years 1900 to 1945. As you may suspect, I have a book case full of reference books as any serious collector should.

This book combines Don's two decades long bottom up study of magazine and gun serial numbers with Joop's top down approach to Mauser the company, its practices, contracts and people. Thus we have a very detailed examination of the Mauser era production with a historical context. As I was going through the book, its detail almost convinced me that Don and Joop had actually handled every one of the million guns produced. Many myths are dispelled and where they do not have facts to back up conclusions, they say so and put forward theories. Also liked their concept of "Collector Variation". We have been arguing about variations forever. They separate the variations caused by engineering or production related changes from those about which collectors are interested like changes in acceptance and proof marks.

Bottom line: New collector or experienced. Looking for your your first gun or researching some esoteric variation, there is something in this book for everyone.

It is a must for the Mauser Parabellum collector bookshelf.

This is not intended to be a review. JMVHO. But, the book truly impresses me and I felt compelled to share this with you.

John

I had a meeting with Joop and Gerben around 10 days ago and I have received from Joop a copy of his book.
I can only agree with you. This book is THE 1930-1946 Mauser Parabellum reference.
A huge amount of information based upon pistol analysis and archive study.

A beautiful work!

Cheers,
Mauro