[Vlim]

This 25-pound lump of solid history surfaced a while ago:

It is one of the dies that was used to strike the frame forging for the M1914/34 Mauser pocket pistols.

This part of the die was fastened to the hammer end of the forge press, a similar die was attached to the bottom end. A heated piece of solid gun steel was placed in the middle and pressed into the basic shape of the frame, which would then be sent to the factory from the forge for further milling and cutting.

Due to the stresses involved, these dies would last relatively shortly and were recycled when they were no longer accurate enough. This particular die survived, as it was taken by a Mauser worker to be used as a makeshift anvil in his home workshop.

The angle of the photograph distorts the image, but the shape of the die is basically a large T-shape with the bar of the T running along the width of the die. There are 2 mounting holes drilled, one on the left and one on the right side of the T-bar.


An old photo taken at the Mauser forge before WW2 actually shows the forge press and the shape of the die. Also note the attaching point, which corresponds with a pin hole in the actual die.