Yet another 1930

[alvin]

Flatside started from 1899 Italian Navy Contract, without milling panels on the frame of the gun, but the receiver (barrel extension) still has milled slots on the rail. Without factory record, it's hard to guess why Mauser cancelled those panels, I would assume it's a Italian requirement to reduce the cost a few Marks. After Italian Navy contract, Mauser also made some commercials flatsides. The production returned to milled panels in 1901, not many flatsides were made. Nice flatside is relatively rare in today's market.

Interesting enough, many Italian Navy Contract guns had appeared in China in 1920s. Probably sold to Chinese warlords as surplus. Chinese loved the style of this "Golden Trigger Large Ring Mirror Top Box", reflecting it's strawed trigger, Large Ring Hammer, and Flat frame structure. Probably from Oriental taste, large ring hammer is prettier than small ring hammer. That would explain why Unceta y the CIA started with Small Ring and quickly switched to Large Ring in their Astra 900 series.

Regarding the grip panels, I would think they are original. Around 7~8 nice 1930s have passed though my hands, this one is same as others, unnumbered but with same wood material, same detail, and fits the grip frame perfect. Missing lanyard ring is uncommon on nice broomhandles, except vL&D. Some nice vL&D came without lanyard rings. Please also note the strawing left by heat treatment in the chamber.