[Ron Wood]

Pat,
It would appear that you have come upon a true rarity. If authentic, it is worth a small fortune. When I was collecting early semi-automatic pistols before I started collecting only Lugers because I couldn't afford the really rare early autos, I would have robbed a bank to buy a gun like this. It is so rare that it will have to be examined by a world-class Mauser collector (which unfortunately, I am not). It is of the same configuration as the original 10-shot prototype of the Model 1896 submitted by Paul Mauser to the Swiss Patent Office. The serial number 1 notwithstanding, the spur hammer, single lug bolt locking system, stepped barrel and side panel milling places it in the very earliest C96 production. This is a magnificent collecting treasure and I truly hope it turns out to be 100% authentic. Congratulations!!!!