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MAUSER / NICKL MODEL 1916 / 22 PROTOTYPE SEMI-AUTO

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
MAUSER / NICKL MODEL 1916 / 22 PROTOTYPE SEMI-AUTO

PISTOL. Cal. 9mm Kurz (380 ACP). S# 21. Bbl. 91mm (3.6"). Josef Nickl designed prototype, manufactured 1920-1922. Nickl worked in the design department of Mauser under Paul Mauser. Nickl was intrigued by the Steyr design that used a rotary bbl., so he proceeded to design a pistol that would use the Mauser 1910 frame. The engineers at Mauser rejected his design but he convinced the sales department to manufacture a few dozen for commercial sales that never succeeded. The pistol was offered in a variety of calibers, most common survivor is the 9mm Browning Short variation. Nickl sold his idea to the Czechs who were looking for a military handgun. CZ adapted it to be the CZ 22 produced 1923 only. Improvements by CZ were allowed by Nickl and became the well known Models 24 and 27 while earning royalties on the original design for Nickl. This pistol has a large "N" next to the takedown catch along with Mauser Banner and markings on its sideplate. Hammer spur and cocking notches are reminiscent of the CZ pistols. Straight one piece checkered walnut grip of Mauser style rather than the more contoured CZ 24/27 style. Pistol is nickel plated with number 21 on mag. and the following parts: disconnector, hammer, trigger, trigger bar, sideplate, barrel, barrel retainer, slide, barrel bushing, takedown catch and frame (grip not removed to check for number). Small raised rib on slide with integral front sight plus drift adjustable dovetailed wide notched rear. Interior noticeably well machined and incorporates Mauser style slide lock feature. Research came from Handguns of the World by Ezell and Volume 1 Parts IIA and IIB of Handguns, Automatic Pistols of 1954 from Aberdeen Proving Ground. MAGS: 1 blued factory 8 rd. with base buffed to in the white having plated appearance; S# 21. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: photocopies of above mentioned references. CONDITION: very good appearance with some spots of cleaned oxidation where plating has failed. Thinning on frontstrap with patina tone; also present on front edge of triggerguard. Light handling marks throughout entire grip along with some worn diamond tops at top of each side. Near excellent bore. (22-3438/NW). CURIO. $5,000-8,000.