First Mauser Pocket Pistol 7.65 .32 (M1914) and a Question
 

Hi,

Just got my first Mauser Pocket Pistol (M1914) in 7.65 (.32) caliber.

Here are some pictures.

I'd like to know the approximate manufacture date.

It's a commercial exported to the USA and marked "Germany" on the left side of the slide under the "Waffenfabrik Mauser" roll stamp.

A friend advised me that the magazine is unusual because of it's large "Mauser" marking on the side. I don't have the reference book. Any info appreciated...

These are interesting pistols. Very high precision workmanship. The lock-work is accessible when the slide is removed, but completely closed and inaccessible when assembled.

I have had difficulty with re-assembly when I accidentally forgot to insert the recoil rod and spring. Couldn't get it to release the slide, even though I followed the procedure to insert the magazine, remove the magazine and drop the striker at the appropriate position. Is there a trick after that to get the slide off the frame?

Thanks!!! Marc

From the description, I guess one step was missing: the barrel must be removed before you insert the magazine to release the slide.

Sorry, forgot to mention one key step: after inserting the magazine, use a pencil tip to push the magazine follower down. Otherwise, the slide is blocked by magazine follower.

This gun has dual hold-open mechanisms: internal hold-open catch and magazine follower. Both must be disabled to take the slide down. Inserting the magazine releases the internal hold-open catch, but the magazine follower must be disabled manually (inserting a magazine with snap-cap will work as well).

Alvin,

I did have the barrel off prior to inserting the magazine. I didn't try just pushing the magazine follower down, but instead had completely removed the magazine. That must have been it.

I'll try it again next cleaning...

These certainly are interesting pistols, and unique mechanisms.

Marc

There was a special name for this type of hold-open catch, but I forgot what the name is...

The operation of it depends on very precise machining. That's probably why no one copied those pocket Mausers in the past.

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The slide can be released into battery without magazine as well. I had a video. There is fun playing this gun:

http://tinypic.com/r/xcn47t/5

Also,

If I'm not mistaken, this is one of the few that had oak grips. Does anyone know how many were made in oak versus walnut versus composite materials?

Marc

Standard Postwar Commercial 1914
p.124 in Pender's book.
Over 150,000 pistols were produced within this variation, the most often encountered 7.65mm pistol. Many were imported into the United States in the middle and late Twenties. This variation alone comprises over ten percent of all Mauser pocket pistols produced. Serial range as per Pender:299391-459873, gun #396796 is listed which is close to the one you own.