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VL& D Retailer Marked Model 1896 Mauser SA Pistol

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
VL& D Retailer Marked Model 1896 Mauser SA Pistol
Auction Location:

16600 Aston Street
Irvine, CA
Von Lengerke & Detmold Retailer Marked Model 1896 Mauser Semi-Automatic Pistol, #31661, with combination shoulder stock/holster, 7.63mm Mauser, 5-1/2'' barrel, adjustable rear sight (50-1000), 35-groove walnut grips, early safety and extractor, late one-lug firing pin and trigger, blue finish, late shallow milled panel, and large ring hammer. Walnut combination stock is numbered #613. (It is interesting to note that in period photographs of the VL&D retail store on Madison Ave. in New York City, there are pictures of various Broomhandle pistols on display with the combination shoulder stock neatly stacked in another showcase, which would help explain the reason why shoulder stocks rarely match but are only a few numbers off.) Included with the pistol is a factory letter from Griffin & Howe, as well as a copy of the July 29, 1902 ledger sheet that states that this pistol was shipped to William Read & Sons, who operated a retail store at that time in Boston, Mass. Pis!
tol is neatly marked on large lefthand center panel ''Von Lengerke/&/Detmold/New-York''. In 1902, when this pistol was shipped, VL&D was one of the main retailers of the C96 pistol, and in that particular year they handled approx. 440 similar pistols. Condition is excellent retaining approx. 92%+ lightly thinning and toning early rust blue. Fire blue small parts, such as the rear sight, extractor and thumb safety, retain 40% of their vivid hues. Trigger with 80% straw colors and light silvering at the high edges. Stock with light scuffs (no cracks). Pistol comes in fitted modern canvas case lined in maroon velour. Stripper clip, magazine spring, two sealed boxes of pink labeled DWM ammunition, and one two-piece red label Winchester box of ammunition with green ''Staynless'' overprint are additionally included. Action is crisp, bore is very good with mild frosting in grooves. A very nice and well documented early American import C96. Est.: $4,000-$6,000.