*◊ EXTRAORDINARY MAUSER M1917 TRENCH CARBINE WITH 40-SHOT DETACHABLE MAGAZINE.

SN 31. Cal. 9mm Parabellum. Mauser made only a small quantity of M1917 trench carbines that were numbered in their own one/two digit serial range. The M1917 was produced late in WWI and offered to the German Army to compete with the lP.08 with its 32 round drum magazine for trench raiding and assault parties, but was rejected on cost grounds and the diversion of effort it would have required from Mauser to be placed in production. This example has a 9-1/2″ bbl with a drift adjustable front sight having a serrated rear surface. There is a 2-line address on top of chamber “Waffenfabrik Mauser AG/Oberndorf aN 1917”. Made with a short extractor and a slip in 50-500 rear sight whose full length groove does not extend into the supporting lug. SN is repeated on the bolt stop, bolt, left side of contoured hammer, left side of trigger and the upper arm of the receiver extension. To prevent hammer “bite”, the rear action frame was made with a longer than usual extension, horizontally serrated along its back face, to keep the web of the hand away from the hammer. Inside the trigger guard is a broad serrated plunger, in-the-white, for disassembly that shows a matching locking block, rear action frame, transfer bar and sear. As one might expect, the locking block & rear action frame are very different from most carbines. The serrated tab at the bottom of the trigger guard is a magazine release that is pushed forward to remove the magazine. The 40-shot magazine has four slotted indicator holes on the back spine, denoted 10-20-30-40, and a floorplate whose tensioning spring is similar in construction to the Mauser M1906-08 pistol magazines. The fixed buttstock is secured to the receiver by two screws – one under the pistol grip, the other further back. The short forend, measuring 5-3/4″, and buttstock are smoothly surfaced with the buttstock having several pieced-in repairs, one near the upper arm of the receiver extension, the other along the bottom of the lower spine. There is no buttplate, the bottom of the stock having been serrated with horizontal grooves. PROVENANCE: Ex Visser Collection. Weaver’s “Mauser Pistolen”, p 118. Illustrated TBLAP. Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Superb restoration, now with over 99% bright rust blue coverage. The same considerations apply to all fire-blued parts that have been brought back to near-orig lustrous color. Forearm & buttstock have been revarnished and now have a scattering of superficial dings with several small gouges near comb. Bright bore with strong rifling & mild frosting. Perfect manual mechanics. According to the consignor, this gun was restored after having been buried for concealment following WWI, as the caliber and barrel length were contrary to Versailles Treaty provisions, and it is one of four known examples. Certainly, one of the most dramatic carbines ever made by Mauser. 4-52086 LMA123 (30,000-45,000) – Lot 1268

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1268	$34,500.00	◊ EXTRAORDINARY MAUSER M1917 TRENCH CARBINE WITH 40-SHOT DETACHABLE MAGAZINE. SN 31. Cal. 9mm Parabellum. Mauser made only a small quantity of M1917 trench carbines that were numbered in their own one/two digit serial range. The M1917 was produced late in WWI and offered to the German Army to compete with the lP.08 with its 32 round drum magazine for trench raiding and assault parties, but was rejected on cost grounds and the diversion of effort it would have required from Mauser to be placed in production. This example has a 9-1/2″ bbl with a drift adjustable front sight having a serrated rear surface. There is a 2-line address on top of chamber “Waffenfabrik Mauser AG/Oberndorf aN 1917”. Made with a short extractor and a slip in 50-500 rear sight whose full length groove does not extend into the supporting lug. SN is repeated on the bolt stop, bolt, left side of contoured hammer, left side of trigger and the upper arm of the receiver extension. To prevent hammer “bite”, the rear action frame was made with a longer than usual extension, horizontally serrated along its back face, to keep the web of the hand away from the hammer. Inside the trigger guard is a broad serrated plunger, in-the-white, for disassembly that shows a matching locking block, rear action frame, transfer bar and sear. As one might expect, the locking block & rear action frame are very different from most carbines. The serrated tab at the bottom of the trigger guard is a magazine release that is pushed forward to remove the magazine. The 40-shot magazine has four slotted indicator holes on the back spine, denoted 10-20-30-40, and a floorplate whose tensioning spring is similar in construction to the Mauser M1906-08 pistol magazines. The fixed buttstock is secured to the receiver by two screws – one under the pistol grip, the other further back. The short forend, measuring 5-3/4″, and buttstock are smoothly surfaced with the buttstock having several pieced-in repairs, one near the upper arm of the receiver extension, the other along the bottom of the lower spine. There is no buttplate, the bottom of the stock having been serrated with horizontal grooves. PROVENANCE: Ex Visser Collection. Weaver’s “Mauser Pistolen”, p 118. Illustrated TBLAP. Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Superb restoration, now with over 99% bright rust blue coverage. The same considerations apply to all fire-blued parts that have been brought back to near-orig lustrous color. Forearm & buttstock have been revarnished and now have a scattering of superficial dings with several small gouges near comb. Bright bore with strong rifling & mild frosting. Perfect manual mechanics. According to the consignor, this gun was restored after having been buried for concealment following WWI, as the caliber and barrel length were contrary to Versailles Treaty provisions, and it is one of four known examples. Certainly, one of the most dramatic carbines ever made by Mauser. 4-52086 LMA123 (30,000-45,000) – Lot 1268 Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}

*◊ EXTRAORDINARY MAUSER M1917 TRENCH CARBINE WITH 40-SHOT DETACHABLE MAGAZINE.