Channel: Brownells, Inc.

Category: Sports

Tags: 7.65 browninggerman wwii pistolsmodel 1914striker-firediraqveteran8888germanywalther ppkmilitary arms.32 acpcollectorworld war iimauserforgotten weaponshammer-firedbrownells from the vaultblowbackalex seidellearnfrom the vaultpocket pistolcompact pistolhistorygun collectorwwiihscmilitary pistolsmauser handguns.380 acpfrom the vault brownells

Description: We're taking a look at Mausers today. But if you're expecting classic bolt action rifles, here's a surprise: Brownells Gun Tech™ Keith Ford shows us his Mauser HSc and Model 1914 pistols. Both are blowback operated and chambered in .32 ACP, aka 7.65mm Browning. By the 1930s, the aging, striker-fired Mauser 1914 was being seriously challenged by the new hammer-fired Walther PP and PPK. Mauser's response was the HSc: "H" for hammer fired, "S" for Selbstspanner (self-cocking), and "c" indicating it's Mauser's third pistol model with a hammer. Compare the physical difference between the stodgy, blocky, upright Model 1914 and the sleek, PPK-like, Art Deco lines of the HSc! Mauser had the police and commercial markets in mind for the HSc, rather than military contracts, but the start of World War II changed those plans. Keith explains the difference between early guns and later models, AND he does a quick field strip to show us how this innovative well-designed pistol works. The Mauser HSc had a curiously split production life, first from 1940-46, then after a hiatus of 20+ years, 1968-77. Most of the second-period guns were chambered in .380 ACP. The collector market's interest in the HSc tends to focus on wartime production.