Unknown Mauser 1916 Type Replica

Gentlemen,

First off I am very appreciative of the forum and all of you knowledgeable guys!

At a gun show this weekend I picked up the following replica. I promise I have done a search through the forums and I don't think I saw anything exactly like this one.

From what I can gather this all-metal/composite grips model is quite similar to the Hudson. From the pictures you can see that the markings are a little different. I could not find "JAPAN" stamped anywhere on the outside.

Any thoughts as to manufacture and a date range? It sure looks like it'll take cartridges, but I'm at a loss as to which kind.





Here are some detail shots of the various markings. Mostly nothing new except the Mauser Marking on the left frame.








Here is a shot of the barrel blockage - I suspect this is a good clue.





I can certainly take other photos or email the higher resolution ones to anyone. Thank you for any ideas!

Looks like MGC one to me, please compare photos:
http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~yon-yon/cgi/mgc/mauser/index.html

Grips are probably replaced custom ones. Lack of MGC could make it RMI model, just without "JAPAN" stamp.

Thank you so much for the link and info. Sure looks about right.

The very last photo above the 'box' photo shows the shorter barrel model- great news. It also has the same "9" grips (without paint fill). The only thing is that mine doesn't have the "MGC" stamp so I would guess you are right- an RMI model. Wonder how it came to be in the States with no "JAPAN" or other manufacture markings. Looks like the cartridges in the photo are the ones.

And I'll stand corrected - it's the 1916 model- not 1896.

Stage Armament Solutions wrote:

It also has the same "9" grips (without paint fill).

Duh, didn't notice the grips, this means they are not custom, just original

Nice find, these are good models from early period.

Thanks! I was pleased to acquire it.

One last thing I'm trying to sort out: I usually engrave my inventory serial number on my props (not as nice as a stamping but I try to keep them small).

This one would appear to have some collector potential, but I would be the first to say that this is not a pristine example. The finish is longer what it once was, and it's obviously been knocked about in it's life: there are some dings and scratches, and even two small dings in the magazine well area (how did THAT happen?).

If I engrave my s/n, then I diminish any collector value. On the other hand maybe nobody cares because it's not minty.

????

Stage Armament Solutions wrote:

If I engrave my s/n, then I diminish any collector value. On the other hand maybe nobody cares because it's not minty.

My PoV: it depends on how invasive the serial number is. If it blends with the model thanks to location and engraving method, I would not see a problem and buy such a model. It would also make it a sort of "unique" and enable to track it passing from hands to hands
On this forum there was already an MGC Mauser with a marking done by one of members. It took a long way around, then was purchased by another member puzzled by this feature. Can't find the thread though.

There are photos of MGC's short barrel version Mauser here too:



The same page has photos of a model stamped with the owner's own serial number too. As smootik says, if done with care, unique numbers don't detract at all from the model's appearance.
There are re-bluing fluids available that could restore zinc alloy back to it's former lustre if you were inclined to do so.

Thanks Cerwyn - I found that bit about the service number stamped on the frame while doing a "mauser" search through the forums. Nice method- I should probably do that myself (right now I do it by hand with an engraver and the results vary wildly )

I'll do another search for the rebluing info- good to keep it in the back pocket.

Nice Broomhandle! And interesting - I didn't know MGC made a Bolo Mauser too. Too bad they went for the 1896 grips though - a real Bolo has different ones. Great gun, give it some TLC and you'll have a fine piece of modelgun history!

smootik wrote:

On this forum there was already an MGC Mauser with a marking done by one of members. It took a long way around, then was purchased by another member puzzled by this feature. Can't find the thread though.

Hehe... that was my gun. I won't comment on the "invasive-ness" of the serial numbers though... it was a great story, interesting provenance and shows that the model gun collector world is indeed a small one.
Here's the thread: