The Model 1914 7.65mm Mauser
Pocket Pistol

A summary of available data

December 2020

Adapted by Ed Dittus 2017-2020
partially from the original work by John LaCroix ca.1997

As with the prior effort concerning itself with the 1910 series of Mauser pocket pistols, this paper consists largely of the work of John LaCroix which appeared in the pages of NADFSE in the 1970's. I found his work very useful and took it upon myself to reformat it and otherwise make it a bit more accessible for my own use. In the process of doing this, I added some information as I came across it, I also put some data into graphical form for ease of understanding. As with the earlier effort, any mistakes are mine. Thanks are due to Mr. LaCroix, wherever he may be. I recognize that a lot of research has gone on since this was originally published so I would appreciate additions, corrections and comments on it. Having a comprehensive summary of all things Mauser 1914 would be worthwhile.

Ed Dittus
Myakka City, Florida
guns@Myakka.com

Adapted by Ed Dittus from the original work by John LaCroix, circa 1997. Care should be taken with the assigned dates/Serial Numbers for 1919-1921 and 1928. SNs are missing and the production numbers are not entirely consistent with reported SNs.  Upper SNs for these dates have been adjusted to “make them fit”.

Characteristics

Serial Numbers

• Lowest Recorded SN 67 (SN 53 Rumored)
• Highest Recorded SN 628585
• Highest Humpback: SN 2790
• Lowest Basic Std 1914 Type: SN 2864

Finish

• Highest Rust Blue SN 459930
• Lowest Salt Blue SN 460442

Datable Examples

• SN 130 Gift from Paul Mauser dated March 1914 (in Pendar pp. 98-99)
• N 186703 Award dated 1919

SPECIAL FEATURES, MARKINGS & BASIC CONFIGURATION

A series of early Humpbacks were marked with a number and the abbreviation “L.K.” which stands for Landjägerkorps of Württemberg. These markings are found on the Right Hand Frame in a milled slot above the grip. Relatively few of these pistols have been reported from various sources. The number of examples currently stands at 20.

• Lowest: SN 206, with L.K.5. Marking
• Highest: SN 401, with L.K.204. Marking
• Note: (Other known L.K. Marked 1914 Types are: SN 68600 L.K.201. And SN 191416 L.K.539. Both with L.K. Markings on the Front Strap)

The relationship between the L.K. Number and the Serial Number is quite close suggesting that these pistols were bought as a lot and numbered in the order of their serials. The plot below illustrates this relationship.

Military Acceptance Mark
(Fractur letter on top of Slide, just forward of Rear Sight):

• Highest Without: SN 11369
• Lowest With: SN 14220
• Highest With: SN 182066
• Lowest Without: SN 184839
• Note: SNs 12487, 12547 & 13381 are known - but owners have been non-responsive to inquires re: Mil Acceptance Mark.
   
• Imperial Eagle (Marked on Front Trigger Guard) SN Range: 163133 thru 177717
  Known Examples Without Military Acceptance Mark in SN Range 14220 thru 182066:
• First Block Hamburg Police Marked Pistols in SN Range 66498 thru 67492
• Long Barrel Commercials in SN Range 68790 thru 70412
• Second Block Hamburg Police Marked Pistols SN Range 206892 thru 212391

MAJOR AND OTHERWISE SIGNIFICANT SN RANGES
WITH NO KNOWN EXAMPLES

• SN 409000 thru 424000 (Extremes Known: SN 408248 and SN 424094)
• SN 470000 thru 475000 (Extremes Known: SN 469xxx and SN 475012)

SPECIAL INTEREST SERIAL RANGES
(Examples occur mostly in Blocks):

• Chinese Character Marked: SN Range 526850 thru 539240 (8 known)
• Eagle C Police: SN Range 548226 thru 551672
• German Army E/655 w/Test Proof: SN Range 584117 thru SN 628194
• Eagle L Police Right Side Marked: SN 571207 thru SN 572690
• (One "out of range" Example, SN 590264, is Both E/L RH marked and E/655 Army Marked on LH rear Frame).
• Eagle L Police Left Side Marked: SN 597718 thru SN 628585

OBSERVATION: Regarding the partial SN enumeration on the various small parts, prior to 1934, Mauser seems to have applied more SN Digits during periods of high production and less SN Digits during periods of low production on both the 1910 Types and the 1914 Types. (Probably to conserve marking labor).