The “Mauser Military Pistol” is a triumph of the Industrial Revolution and set the stage for modern handguns.

by John M. Buol Jr.

The old pistol mounted in the orange felt-lined wooden box overhanging my Grandfather’s basement bar always fascinated me. When I was barely big enough to acknowledge it, I first recognized it as Han Solo’s blaster in Star Wars. As I grew old enough to comprehend connections between lessons in History classes and my Grandfather’s service in World War II, I realized it was a war trophy. And when I developed an interest in guns and shooting I learned it was a Mauser C96.

Read more in the April 2018 issue.

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