3206

ULTRA RARE LAST MODEL MAUSER ZIGZAG REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 35,000.00 USD
ULTRA RARE LAST MODEL MAUSER ZIGZAG REVOLVER.
Cal. 10.6mm Rimmed. This is a very rare example of Paul Mauser’s last attempt to make the Zig-Zag revolver acceptable for military service, a patent model of DRP 2564 of 2 March 1878, “Neuerungen an Revolvern” (Improvements in Revolvers), only a handful of examples of which were made for German Army trials in 1878/79. This was without success since the M79 Reichsrevolver was adopted, after which Mauser made no further developments of the Zig-Zag revolver. Chambered for a unique bottlenecked cartridge, not the standard German Service 10.55 mm Revolver cartridge, the only other known example is in the Smithsonian Institution. Blue finish with 7-3/16" rnd bbl, half-moon front sight in a rectangular base with fixed rear sight in the top strap. Front of the frame has the unique last style sliding latch which allows the bbl to be tipped up for loading & unloading. Grip frame is bag-shaped with a lanyard swivel in the butt and mounted with smooth 2-pc walnut grips. Cylinder is very unusual with Z-shaped grooves around outer diameter which are, in fact, rotating grooves for the cylinder. Cylinder rests on a pin which is in a groove and when the hammer is cocked it advances the cylinder to the next chamber for firing. Left front side of the bbl lug has a small thumb latch which is a cylinder lock that fits into a notch in the extended front rim of the cylinder and if not latched the bbl cannot be opened. This prototype is completely unmarked and bears no proof marks either. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. Ex-Visser collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Overall retains about 95% strong orig blue with bright blue on the bbl and brushed finish on the frame & grip frame; cylinder & trigger guard are also bright blue with bright polished hammer & trigger. Grips are sound with only a minor nick or so and retain most of their orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. May be unfired. 4-52565 JR390