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Unread 04-19-2005, 12:35 AM   #20
RockinWR
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Hi James,
* In answer to your question, your's is a Mauser Banner Police made in 1940. It was one of a well established group of 3300 pistols having the commercial eagle/N proof mark on the left side, sear safety, Mauser Banner Logo on the toggle link, Eagle "L" Police acceptance mark, and 1940 chamber date. Approximate S/N range of this group is 2589x - 5722x per Jan Stills, Third Reich Lugers, Pg. 146 & 159.
* The Banner toggle Mausers were produced for Contract and Commercial sales. As such, the groups sometimes overlap in their time of production. However, this police contract group, in the "x" block, is fairly contiguous in its evolution of markings leading one to infer regular sequential production. With the imminent onset of WWII in early 1940, arming of the German Police with updated firearms was likely.
* The hot salt blue is finely accomplished in keeping with a commercial level of specification. The S/N may or may not appear on the barrel. The E/N mark is found, atypically to Army production, stamped on the front of the front sight in addition to the more normal left side breech link location.
* The numeral "2" on the magazine indicates this accessory was the spare or reserve police mag for the pistol so numbered/suffix block lettered. It seems to be, as you say, a mag 5 digits off from your pistol's number.
* In my opinion, the condition of your pistol, from the pictures offered, exceeds the 75-80% expressed. I'd venture yours to command about $1200 +/- 10% wiggle room in private sales to other knowledgeable collectors interested in acquiring this example.
* Trust this helps.
Respectfully,
Bob
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