Mauser Parabellum prototype number 19

[mauro]

Hello fellows,
After around 2 years I have finally received the Mauser Parabellum prototype number 19 in .30 Luger. This pistol is numbered 10.00.1019 therefore is the 19th Mauser Parabellum made in .30 Luger. It is, so far, the only known survived of the group of 50 pistols shipped to Interarms in the beginning of the production. This is also the lower serial number today reported. Due to the delay of Mauser in reaching the final production configuration, these pistols have unique features common with the pilot group pistols. In the following photos I have attempted of summarizing the most important differences wrt the standard production. What is important to highlight is that the differences are not only superficial but, for example, the angle of the ramp of the frame is different to the one retained for the final production; this is a really big difference.
Should be really nice to have information about the others 49 prototypes in order to figure out if the are some others differences.

The analysis to highlight the differences has been done using one of around 100 Mauser Parabellum cut away models.
Have fun,
Cheers,
Mauro





On the left the Mauser Banner of the prototype #19 on the right the standard one. Note that the Mauser Banner of the #19 is equal to the one used by Mauser in the pre-WWII commercial advertisings (1937-39). Then, for any reason, Mauser changed it with the new one used for the entire post-WWII production.




On the top the prototype #19. Note the different toggle shape and the different toggle - receiver connecting pin.



The receiver front not rounded of the #19 on the right.



Really interesting the difference of the toggle ramp of the frame. On the top the cut away, on the bottom the #19.



On the right the frame of the #19. Note that not only the ramp is different but also the shape of the ramp of the standard production is more "fat" than the one of the #19.



Note that the toggle grip of the #19 is closer to the frame than the nrmal one. Note also that the frame of the #19 doesn't have the grainy surface.




The early magazine were stamped "made in holland" and not "Mauser" because produced in Netherland.



In addition, all the proof marks, the Mauser Banner, and the other written stuff but the Interarms and the Safe word are white.

I hope you enjoy my last baby.

Cheers,
Mauro

[Augsburger]

Very nice Mauro....well presented and congrats!!!

[Dwight Gruber]

Mauro,

Congratulations on your acquisition of a very rare and desirable Luger, and thank you very much for the detailed comparisons--they are truly appreciated.

Am I correct in my observation that the thumb safety lever on the prototype has a slightly rounded profile, and the production model is machined flat?

--Dwight

[Vlim]

Mauro,

Nice gun! Did you get it from Holger?

The magazines were all produced in the Netherlands, later the Dutch company (MFT) only produced the magazine tubes. They tried to market the magazines themselves, first with both the Mauser banner and 'made in Holland'. When Mauser protested the Mauser banner was removed, and the 'made in holland remained'. Magazines and tubes produced for Mauser only had the Mauser banner on the spine.

The last batch of Mauser magazines were made my MecGar, if my information is correct.

[DaveinTN]

Just curious, but what year was this prototype (# 19) built?

Dave in TN.

[mauro]

Hi Dave,
According to my data base October/November 1970.
Cheers,
Mauro

[Steinar]

Congratulations Mauro! Thank you for sharing

[mauro]

Hi Gerben,
No. I do not have bought this pistol from Holger. I found this gun in USA and then I have imported it. Long history but now the pleasure is proportional to the wait.
Cheers,
mauro

[mauro]

Dwight,
I have verified and it seems that you are right in your assumption.
Thank you for notice this point.
Cheers,
Mauro

[mauro]

Hello guys,
I am far to be expert in the mechanics therefore it is really difficult to me evaluate the â??side effectâ?� of the difference frame toggle ramp and the toggle distance.

For sure I know that the Mauser engineers worked for a while before defining the final angle of the ramp.

What it for you the main reason to modify the angle of the ramp? Could be related to the difference of the ammunition used?

Any help will be appreciated.

Cheers,
mauro

[unspellable]

I will eliminate a bit of mystery here and say that I am the person who sold #19 to Mauro. This transaction involved a lot of legalistic rigamarole and a Loooong wait on Mauro's part. I am forced to admit he is a patient man.

[bradsimpson]

Mauro,
Dad just got 4 fancy Interarms Lugers with engraving, Gold inlay, ivory grips, etc. They were made for the IWA Show in 1990.

Do you know anything about these?

[Pete Ebbink]

Hi Brad,

Do they look anything like these ?

This pair was for sale on one of the gun auction sites about 3 years ago. IIRC...Tom Armstrong went after them...but I am not sure if the deal went through or not...

[lew1]

I just noticed this post.

Interesting pistol. I have one, which is higher in the serial number range.

My number is 10.00.1053

Its receiver is not rounded either.

[Aaron]

Mauro, I'm surprised that you neglected to mention the difference in the way the word "Original" is inscribed on the two pistols, especially the letter "a".

[Vlim]

@Brad,

There is some Mauser flyer information that shows these variations. Mauser tried to do something special for the annual IWA shows, but the prices were accordingly...

A 1990s flyer mentions the IWA 90 version as article number 732116
In 1998 the factory price for that version was around 12,000 DMark.

The pistol was described as follows:
Matte grey finish with silver thistle leaves as barrel engraving, Blossom inlay in platinum, strawed small parts, Ivory grips with silver monogram plate inlay, with leather case.

A number of the pistols were never actually finished when Mauser stopped pistol production. Some unbuilt pistols in their original production boxes are still available.





@Mauro,
Mauro, it's known that the first Mauser 'prototypes' were actually just Swiss model 1929 lugers that were adapted to look like Mausers. It would be interesting to compare the early prototype Mausers to Swiss 1929's see whether they used Swiss parts or guns as a basis for the first demonstration/prototype series.

[mauro]

Hello guys,

-- Brad --
In addition to what Gerben says, if you look at my web site in the Mauser Parabellum area you can see some scans of the advertising made by Mauser concerning this kind of pistols.
I really appreciate if you can post to me some pics, I am interested in this guns. In addition also the serial numbers should be useful for my data base.


-- lew1 --
I am really happy because your pistol is absolutely an early production. The numbering starts from 1001 therefore your Parabellum is the 53rd made by Mauser. I have the 1019, the lower number today surviving, therefore yours is the second one. We have absolutely compare the pistol therefore please post some pics!!!

-- Aaron

Aaron, you are totally right, in the first picture I have underlined that the Mauser banner follows the "old" configuration but then I have forgotten to highlight this point with the closer picture. I am going to fix this point right now.

-- Gerben

Gerben, believe me I am working on this matter. I have some pics of the "display model" made by Mauser using Swiss 06/29 to show something to the 1969 NSGA and NRA.
I am working in a document that should cover all this point, mainly the early production. Maybe you remember that I have an original Mauser manuscript that describes the early production and mainly the problem found by the Mauser Engineers in the beginning of the production.

Thank you to all for the input you can provide on this matter.

Have fun,
Mauro

[bradsimpson]

Guys,
Thanks for the info. The four guns, with pics and prices, will be on our site (www.simpsonltd.com) within 48 hours.

Mauro,
Yes we have the gun you mentioned.
Brad: 309-342-5800

[cirelaw]

If it wasnt for you, we would never experience such a Beautiful Work of Art, CABA CAUSA!!!

[Pete Ebbink]

Beautiful photos of these guns on the Simpson LTD site :

http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...oducts_id=3902

http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...oducts_id=3901

http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...oducts_id=3899

http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...oducts_id=3900

This one takes ones breath away !