The Model 1910 Mauser Pocket Pistol
A Summary of Available Data
Adapted 2017-2020
from the original work by John LaCroix, c. 1997

by Ed Dittus.
guns@myakka.com

John LaCroix was a major contributor to the literature on Mauser pocket pistols during the 1990's.   As can be seen from what follows, his exposure to examples and the knowledge he gained was encyclopedic.  Sadly, his published work has been lost or is at the very least difficult to obtain.  I think we would all benefit from making his work more widely available. To this end, I obtained an original copy of the John LaCroix data. I found it a bit difficult to follow as he arranged it, but hugely informative, so I decided to reformat/proof/rewrite as needed for my own use.  As time went on, I added graphical representations of data contained in John's writings, as well as other information gleaned from my own research.  This has been a useful road map of the swirling world of Mauser Pocket Pistols, and I have referred to it regularly.  I hope my readers will find it equally useful. Please let me know of any additions, corrections, etc.  I take full responsibility for any mistakes contained herein.  And thanks to John LaCroix, wherever you are.

Summary of Basic Characteristics

• SERIAL NUMBERS (SN): Lowest Recorded SN 308 Highest Recorded SN 428622
• FRAME NUMBERS (FN): Highest Early Prod Without a FN: Pistol SN 649
• Lowest 1st Series: FN 1199 (Pistol SN 1199)
• Highest 1st Series: FN 105814 (Pistol SN 106894)
• Lowest 2nd Series: FN 9 (Pistol SN 107197)

  Mauser 1910 Frame Number

• Highest 2nd Series: FN (1)94466 (Pistol SN 374792)

Serial numbers (SN) appear on Mauser M1910 pistols in a number of places depending on when the weapon was manufactured. Generally, the full serial number is found on the left front of the slide. The final 4 characters are sometimes repeated on the rear of the weapon, just below the "cocked" indicator. Three or four digits may also appear on the retaining catch and the barrel locking lug.

What are Frame Numbers?

Mention is made of "Frame Numbers" (abbreviated FN)  through this paper.  These appear on earlier Mauser 1910 pistols (serials under 150000 approximately).  They were the same as the serial numbers for some interval and then something happened—from then on, though they were directionally similar, they no longer matched the serial number.  Their location has mitigated against a comprehensive analysis inasmuch as they are under the magazine release spring whose removal can be somewhat problematic.

The photo shows the rear of two model 1910 pistols, the left example with the flat mainspring in place, the right with it removed and the "hidden" Frame Number revealed.

Basic Configuration

• Highest Sidelatch: SN 60470, (FN not reported)
• Lowest 1910/14 New Model: SN 61079, (FN not reported)
• Highest 1910/14 New Model: SN 106894, FN 105814

Rear Frame Markings

Triangle in Circle Intertwined WM Intertwined HD

• Intertwined SK: One Example Known SN 89670, FN 89434 (We have no positive documentation of this stamp, and no photo of the one observed example.)
• Triangle in Circle: Lowest SN 150876, FN 37068, Highest SN 374792, *FN 94466
  *NOTE: Somewhere above FN 167640, (which corresponds to pistol SN 347741), the first numeral (1) of the FN was omitted - (probably to conserve marking labor).
• Intertwined WM: Lowest SN 241180, FN 45009, Highest SN 268882, FN 76579
• Intertwined HD: Lowest SN 356947 (No HD marked Pistols have been reported with Frame Numbers). Highest SN 377848 (378454)

Finish and Grip Profile

• FACTORY NICKEL FINISH: SNs 20939, 56617, 58847, 401815, 421711, 423094, 424636, 425615, 425634
• HIGHEST RUST BLUE FINISH: SN 374792 (Triangle/Circle Marked)
• LOWEST SALT BLUE FINISH: SN 370430 (Intertwined HD Marked)
• HIGHEST STRAIGHT REAR GRIP: SN 403264 (Salt Blue Finish)
• LOWEST CURVED (1934 Style) REAR GRIP: SN 401815 (Nickel Finish), SN 403361 (Salt Blue Finish)

Dateable Examples

Mauser 1910 - SN 35944 - w/ 1928 Austrian Proof This gun is referenced in Pender’s book, pp. 72-73.

• SN 19861 with 1912 Dated Austrian Proofs
• SN 411558 with 1937 Dated Czech Proofs
• SN 359944 with 1928 Dated Austrian Proofs
• SN 415532 with 1938 Dated Czech Proofs
• SN 364186 with 1928 Dated Austrian Proofs

Major and Otherwise Significant Serial Number Ranges
with No Known Examples:

• SN 60500 to 61000 (Extremes Known: SN 60470 and SN 61079)
• SN 115000 to 150000 (Extremes Known: SN 114198 and SN 150670)
• SN 156000 to 200000 (Extremes Known: SN 155770 and SN 202573)
• SN 337000 to 345000 (Extremes Known: SN 336418 and SN 345977)
• SN 365000 to 369000 (Extremes Known: SN 364405 and SN 369436)

Observation: Based on their features, characteristics, FNs and small parts SN enumeration, pistols in the SN range 150000 thru 156000 appear to have been produced concurrent with pistols in the SN range 205xxx thru 223xxx.

Dealer Markings

• VON LENGERKE & DETMOLD. NEW YORK dealer marking (Right side of slide). Documented examples include serial numbers 5473, 5476, 5482, 5489, 9534, 9544, 9575, 9583, 9601, 9621, 9624, 9631, 10017, 10019, 10025, 10027, 10032, 10054, 10063, 14628, 14629, 14633, 14644, 14652, 14663, 14669, 14676, 14681, 14683, 14693, 14724, 14755.
• L. CHOBERT ARQR, 16. R. LAFAYETTE PARIS- French dealer at 16 Rue Lafayette in Paris. His mark is found on a Mauser M1910, SN 19612.
• ALLEMEGNE- marked on the barrel, visible in the ejection port. Found on M1910 SN 397108
• FAURÉ LE PAGE: French retailer marking on barrel, M1910 SN 64578

Production Graphs

Notes:
There are no known examples for the SN ranges 11500-150000 and 156000-200000 and 337000-345000. Production includes approximately 8000 units between SN 150000-156000.

Copyright 2025 by Ed Dittus.  All rights reserved.

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