- Mauser Serial Number List
- Hsc Mauser Date Of Production
- Mauser Pistol Serial Number Lookup
- Interarms Mauser Hsc Serial Number Dates
- Mauser Model Hsc 32
- Mauser 7.65 Pistol Serial Numbers
- Interarms Mauser Hsc Serial Number Dates
Mauser HSc
| Mauser HSc | |
|---|---|
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | Nazi Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1940–1945 |
| Used by | Nazi Germany France |
| Wars | World War II, First Indochina War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Alex Seidel |
| Designed | 1935–36 |
| Manufacturer | Mauser |
| Produced | 1940–1977 |
| Number built | Over 334,000[1] |
| Variants | HSc Super |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 700 g (25 oz) unloaded |
| Length | 152 mm (6.0 in) |
| Barrel length | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Cartridge | .32 ACP (7.65x17mm Browning SR) .380 ACP (9x17mm Short) |
| Action | Blowback |
| Feed system | 8-round box magazine (.32 ACP) 7-round magazine (.380 ACP) |
| Sights | Fixed iron sights |
The Mauser HSc came out in 1939 and was produced by Mauser at least until 1946. The HSc was not derived from Mauser’s earlier pocket pistols. It was a totally new design, being more streamlined in appearance. Its quality is considered to be inferior to the 1910s and 1914s but still good. It was chambered for 7.65mm (.32). HSc serial numbers. Frequently Asked Questions: Not sure if your Mauser HSc pistol is working properly? Tom answers your questions.
The Mauser HSc is a 7.65mm pistol made in Nazi Germany during World War II and post-war. The designation HSc stood for Hahn Selbstspanner ('self-cocking hammer') Pistole, third and final design 'C'. Production was continued in 1945–46 during the French occupation and, later, from 1968 to 1977 by Mauser. It features a semi-exposed hammer, double-action trigger, single-column magazine, and a spring surrounding the barrel.
- Serial numbers begin at 700001. According to Burnham and Theodore in their 2015 book The Mauser HSc Pistol, the first production gun was test fired on 19 September 1940. Production began in earnest in December 1940.
- In Mauser Pocket Pistols 1910-1946 by Roy G. Pender III (on page 99) we see a presentation Mauser Humpback pistol given to Adolph Drossel by Paul Mauser. It is inscribed with the date of March 1914 and has the serial number 130.
The Mauser HSc was originally intended as a commercial pistol. It competed with the contemporary German Walther PPK and PP and Sauer 38H for police and military use. It was procured initially by the navy (Kriegsmarine) soon followed by the Army and police. HSc pistols used by the Luftwaffe or Waffen-SS were procured from Army and police stocks.
Production
Production began in late 1940 at serial number 700,000, as an extension of the serial number range of the Mauser Model 1934 pistol, a much more difficult pistol to manufacture. The early pistols have well-made wooden grips, and are highly polished and richly blued. The first 1350 pistols were made for the commercial market and, because of the low positioning of the grip screws, have become known as the 'Low Grip Screw' variety. Approximately half of this initial production was purchased by Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine. All these early low grip pistols are today very rare. At approximately serial number 701345 the grip screws were relocated upward to a more central and sturdier position.
Mauser Serial Number List
The German Army began HSc procurement with an initial order for 3,000 pistols in early 1941, beginning with serial number 701,345, and, intermittently, ending about #712,000. These pistols are marked with an Eagle/655 inspection stamp on the left rear trigger guard web, a factory firing proof Eagle/N on the right rear trigger guard web and at the front of the right slide. Also a small Army Test Proof stamp was stamped on the left rear grip tang. Subsequent orders were placed by the Army throughout the war, along with pistols procured by the Police and Kriegsmarine, with almost 24% of the total production of 252,000 pistols going to the commercial market.
A second Army variation of about 5,000 pistols consisted of pistols whose serial numbers ranged, intermittently, from about 712,000 to about 745,000. These have an Eagle/655 WaA (Army acceptance) on the left rear trigger guard web and the Eagle/N firing proofs on the right rear trigger guard web and on front of right slide, but have no proof mark on the left rear grip tang. The finish on these pistols is also of the first quality.
The third Army variation of some 4,000 pistols ranged in intermittent serial numbers from about 745,000 to about 790,000. These bear an acceptance mark of Eagle/135 on the left rear trigger guard web and the two Eagle/N firing proofs on the right side. The high quality finish of the earlier pistols starts to decline in this production segment.
The fourth variation consists of 31,000 intermittently numbered pistols from around #790,000 to #886,000. These pistols have an Eagle/135 acceptance and Eagle/N proofs as before. On pistols after #855,000 the left side of the slide now has a three-line device stamped along with the Banner. The polish of these pistols is rougher and the military 'dusk blue' is now in evidence. The cross hatched machining inside the top sight channel is no longer there.
The last variation, of some 32,000 intermittently numbered pistols in a serial number range of about #886,000 to #952,000, has the three-line device on the left side of the slide and bears an Eagle/WaA135 acceptance and the Eagle/N proofs. Beginning in the late #940,000 range some pistols were given black plastic grip panels. The very last pistols, in the #949,500 to #952,000 range, were finished with Mauser's phosphate finish, somewhat similar to the U.S. parkerizing finish used on most M-1 rifles, M-1 Carbines and M1911 pistols. The Mauser phosphate finish is variable in color, from a dark grey to an almost green color. These phosphated pistols are quite rare today and, with Eagle/WaA135 acceptance, are highly desirable to military collectors. Interestingly, the Eagle/WaA135 marks are generally 'right side up' on the early phosphate pistols but 'upside down' on the later pistols. Small parts on many of these very late phosphate pistols are usually a mix of older blued parts and later phosphated parts. HScs with frames and slides of different finishes may exist and would be extremely rare and desirable to military collectors.
Final German World War II production ended with the capture of the Oberndorf area by American troops in late April 1945. After the area was given to the French production resumed for French use and was concluded in 1946.
Military personnel of all ranks not issued sidearms often purchased HSc pistols in the commercial marketplace and carried them in the field. Such commercial pistols often returned with veterans as World War II war souvenirs, often in military proofed HSc holsters.
Distribution of total HSc pistol production (1940–1945):
- Army (Heer): 137,121 (54.4%)
- Navy (Kriegsmarine): 27,100 (10.8%)
- Police (Polizei): 28,300 (11.2%)
- Commercial (Civil): 59,467 (23.6%)
- Total: 251,988 (100.0%)
The HSc pistols made by the French in 1945–46 bear an RW proof. Most of these pistols were destined for French forces fighting in the First Indochina War.
Production of high-quality commercial pistols was resumed at the Mauser factory in Oberndorf from 1968 to 1977. These were issued to certain German police units and exported mainly to the North American commercial market. They were available in both blued and nickel finishes.
The pistol originally chambered the 7.65 mm (.32 ACP) cartridge, but the majority of Mauser HScs manufactured in the 1970s were chambered in 9mm Kurz (.380 ACP).
The full serial number of each pistol is located on the front of the grip frame, just above the magazine. The last three digits of that serial number are located on the bottom of the chamber (stamped) and the flat panel of the slide just under the muzzle (electropenciled).
References
- ^[Category:All articles with dead external links] Mauser HSc Production History]
- The Mauser HSc Pistol, Burnham and Theodore, 2008,
- Mauser Pistolen, Weaver, Speed and Schmid, 2008
- Axis Pistols in World War II, Jan C. Still, 1989
- Mauser Pocket Pistols, Roy G. Pender, 1971
- German Pistols and Holsters 1934-1945, Maj. Robert Whittington 1969
External links
- Mauser HSc at guns.ru
- Mauser HSc history at www.mauserguns.com
- Mauser HSc on GunsTribune
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Compiled by World Heritage Encyclopedia™ licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0Help to improve this article, make contributions at the Citational Source, sourced from Wikipedia
By R.K. Campbell
Hsc Mauser Date Of Production
Among the most attractive, distinctive and interesting handguns of World War Two is the Mauser HSc. This pistol has a distinct Art Deco look that is reminiscent of the 1930s; however, the pistol was not produced until 1940. Just the same, the Mauser is every inch a product of the era. Development of the HSc began in 1934 at Mauser Werke Obendorf at Neckar, Germany. At the time, only the Mauser 1914, slightly improved as the 1934, was offered in the pocket pistol line. This handgun was not competitive against the Walther PP and PPK pistols. There was also the prospect of a military contract as small 7.65mm pistols were popular with the German Army.
While civilian personal defense and police needs might be solved by a light pistol - according to the Europeans - the .32 ACP/7.65mm pistol was mainly a badge of office, used to direct troops. The HSc would prove as well suited as any other to this need. While this is primarily speculation on the author’s part, I believe that the Mauser was designed to undercut the Walther in price and to be made more cheaply. The HSc’s price point was less than the Walther and remained so during its service life and during its time in commercial sales. The HSc was designed in a socialist world to take less man hours, making the price less in the socialist guild system.
Our research indicates that no less than twenty-two prototypes were fashioned prior to the adoption of the final design and series production. The Hahn Selbstspanner Pistole (self cocking hammer or double action pistol, c denoting variation) was introduced in 1940. The “c” designation meant third and final design, regardless of the actual number of prototypes and early variations. The first pistols were accepted by the Kreigsmarine and next the Army. Waffen SS and Lufwaffe pistols were delivered from Army stocks. Wartime pistols were produced in 7.65mm (.32 Automatic Colt Pistol) caliber. All wartime pistols had the serial number stamped on the front strap. The last three digits of the serial number were stamped on the bottom of the breech and further etched by hand with an electric pencil under the muzzle. Serial numbers began at 700001 and ran to almost 952000. Best guesses are that a quarter of a million pistols were produced, with the figure 252,000 often quoted. The serial number range began where the Mauser 1914/1934 pistol left off. The original Mauser HSc featured a nice blue finish and nicely turned out walnut grips. A noticeable detail change in the pistol occurred at approximately pistol 701345 when the grip screw position was changed. The first pistols featured grip screws placed proportionately lower on the frame. The newer position is regarded as a better design in order to fully support the grip panels. Interestingly, despite the wartime economy, a number of pistols were released to the civilian market though many of these pistols were actually purchased for private use by military personnel. (For clarification the early grip screw position is approximately 3/4 inch lower than the standard grip screw position.)
Mauser Pistol Serial Number Lookup
Wartime pistols are most often marked with an Eagle/655 inspection stamp on the left rear of the trigger guard extension. The factory acceptance proof is the Eagle over N on the right rear trigger guard. A small Army proof mark is found on the left rear grip tang. Civilian pistols have the factory proof but not the military acceptance proof mark.During the war there were several cuts in time spent on production of material and the HSc is no exception. The finish suffered and at one time, the finish was a dull, almost green finish. This is a phosphate finish similar to Parkerizing or bunkerizing. Color schemes ranged from gray to nearly green. The collector will sometimes encounter a pistol with a mix of phosphate and blued parts. Despite the first impression that these handguns were mismatched they were delivered in this fashion. After the war, the French occupied the Mauser factory and continued production in the same serial number range. Many of these pistols were sent to French Indochina. This production run was brief.
Reintroduction
Interarms Mauser Hsc Serial Number Dates
The Mauser HSc was reintroduced in 1967 and imported by Interarms. A total production run of 63,118 pistols were produced. The pistols were reengineered to accept the .380 ACP cartridge to make it more popular in America, although many were also sold in the original .32 ACP chambering. The production figures follow;18,868: .32 ACP
39,250: .380 ACP
Handling the Mauser HSc
The HSc pistol handles much the same as the J P Sauer or Walther double action pistols. The double action pistols in competition with the Mauser featured a hammer dropping safety, which the Mauser does not. The hammer must be manually lowered. The double action trigger is more abrupt than the Walther and is heavy in comparison. The estimated trigger pull weight in double action is sixteen pounds. The single action trigger is smooth at about six pounds. When you rack the slide to the rear on an empty magazine, the slide locks. However, even when you remove the magazine you cannot lower the slide. Reinserting the magazine, either an empty or a loaded magazine, lowers the slide. When a loaded magazine is inserted the chamber is loaded and the slide runs forward. The hammer must be manually lowered by capturing the hammer with the thumb and pressing the trigger, lowering the hammer in this manner. The safety may be placed on at this time.
To fire the pistol, place the safety in the off position. The HSc is fired by pressing the trigger. The long double action trigger press works against an internal drawbar that draws the hammer to the rear. When the hammer breaks the sear and falls, the pistol fires. The slide then recoils and cocks the hammer. All subsequent shots after the first are fired single action.
The author’s personal example was test fired with Winchester USA ball ammunition. The pistol loaded smoothly. The HSc is a comfortable pistol to fire. The small sights are snag free but make accuracy problematical. At ten yards, several five shot three-inch groups were printed, which is adequate for the task we must presume. A single five shot group from a careful bench rest at 15 yards was fired with the aid of Hansen Eagle Eyes shooting glasses. The Winchester 95 grain FMJ bullets went into a cluster of four and one half inches. There were several stoppages during the firing test – at least one per magazine. The age of the pistol and the magazine spring seem to be the fault.
The HSc is an interesting pistol with a distinctive silhouette. Quality examples are available at affordable prices and the pistol has a certain pride of ownership that cannot be faulted. The Mauser HSc pistol is well worth your attention.
Mauser HSc
Action: Blowback
Caliber: 7.65mm and .380 ACP
Mauser Model Hsc 32
Magazine capacity 7.65mm: 8
Magazine capacity .380 ACP: 7
Weight: 24.7 ounces
Barrel: 3.4 inches
Mauser 7.65 Pistol Serial Numbers
Interarms Mauser Hsc Serial Number Dates
Overall length: 6 inchesTotal production, commercial and wartime: 334,000
Total wartime production: 252,000
Wartime production:
- 23% Commercial
- 54% Army
- 11% Navy
- 12% Police
This article first appeared in Small Arms Review SAW (March 2013) |
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