Mauser Modell HSc questions

[wade1968]

I just traded for a Mauser Model HSc in excellent condition with all the bluing and excellent wood grips.

Here is what is written on it:

Original Mauser 7.65mm(32 Auto)
Mauser-Werke A.G. Oberndorf a.N.
Modell Hsc
Made in Germany
Ser. # 00.11931
FBM
Distributed by Interarms Alexandria Virgina, USA

When was it made? What is it worth?
What does the FBM mean?
I'm pretty sure it was made after WW2 but was it made in the 1970s?

Anything you can tell me on it would be very helpful and appreciated!!!

[DeaconKC]

The one you have is post war and a superb shooter, if anything like mine. Interarms brought em in all through the 70s and most of the 80s. Congrats. Depending on condition it's worth anywhere from 175-275.

[stash247]

Wade, almost certainly after 1968, as, because before GCA 68, there was no requirement for an Importer's Mark, on the weapon.
A fine pistol, a few were made in .380/ 9MM K, but the pistol is virtually the same; as I recall, the mags will interchange, and function.
Ya done GOOD!

[wonderwhippet]

There has been a great deal of criticism about this pistol, especially the ones made in Italy after Mauser turned over production to Gambia. There has been a lot of failures to function and breakage of small parts. It is agreed that these postwar models are not of the strength and durability of the HSc pistols issued during WWII.

[timbo55]

Originally Posted by stash247

Wade, almost certainly after 1968, as, because before GCA 68, there was no requirement for an Importer's Mark, on the weapon.
A fine pistol, a few were made in .380/ 9MM K, but the pistol is virtually the same; as I recall, the mags will interchange, and function.
Ya done GOOD!

Stash, Am I reading this right? Will a Mauser .32 mag work in a .380?

I am desperately searching for a spare mag for my hsc .380 "interarms" and am having -0- luck so far.

Thanks,

Timbo

[Snakedriver]

Yes, the magazines that come with the HSc will work for either .32acp or .380acp. I had an HSc that I bought in 1973 that came with two barrels, one in each of the two calibers. All you had to do to convert from one to the other was swap out the barrel. The mag. and recoil spring was the same for both calibers. I traded the Mauser in on a 13-shot Beretta Model 84 in .380 because the HSc was a jam-o-matic in either caliber.

[timbo55]

Originally Posted by Snakedriver

Yes, the magazines that come with the HSc will work for either .32acp or .380acp. I had an HSc that I bought in 1973 that came with two barrels, one in each of the two calibers. All you had to do to convert from one to the other was swap out the barrel. The mag. and recoil spring was the same for both calibers. I traded the Mauser in on a 13-shot Beretta Model 84 in .380 because the HSc was a jam-o-matic in either caliber.

Thanks Snake,

Will widen my search. What is too damn funny is that my Brother-in-law swapped his Mauser HSc for my Baretta model 84 .380.

Still trying to figure out why I fell for that deal. Is your real name Scott? lol

Timbo

[Snakedriver]

Dude. you must REALLY love your wife and her family. Your brother-in-law got the best end of that deal! My Beretta 84 is one of the best shooting pistols I have. Accurate and 100% reliable. It eats whatever ammo I feed it without complaint. The HSc was a great looking pistol and I liked that it would shoot either .32 or .380 fairly accurately, but it wasn't reliable at all, so it had to go. If I were you, I'd start working on that brother-in-law to get him to trade you back something for the Beretta.

[Snakedriver]

https://www.gripsclipsandmags.com/sh...p?id=112026322

These folks at the link above appear to have .380 magazines for the HSc in stock, but they aren't cheap.

[wonderwhippet]

If your brother-in-law doesn't swap you back, I figure he owes you about $300. I suggest you don't deal with him any more........He's too sharp!

[timbo55]

Ok folks...I feel sufficiently smacked for my lack of "wheelin/dealin" skills but the guns were from my wife's Fathers collection that was split up after he passed away...My bro-in-law pulled seniority after the fact and it was before
my Conceal and Carry days. I still have my Baretta model 92 9mm and my Luger .30 cal. along with a 1858 Remmington 44 cal revolver "it is a real 1858 in a freakin box and excellant condition" which is quite impressive but is hell to hide for conceal purposes.

Thanks for all all your info folks. This is a cool group.

Timbo

[Snakedriver]

Now, we know the REST of the story! We're still there for you brother, we just like to have fun sometimes.

[oscarmayer]

dont feel bad we've all made those type of mistakes . here is a heartbreaker. when i was 15 my buddy who father had died was selling off a couple of his dads guns . he didnt know squat about them and did his best to describe them. i was with someone else at the time and after i chimed in after hearing him describe one of them. it went something like this it's a automatic small shoots 32acp and " i think it's a jp sauer" ??? i jumped on it i was ok with it until he described the 2nd one. i wont type how he described it but. as it turned out, it was a artilary luger with wood stock/holster, snail drum, complete leather harness and nice presentation case

[lrm57]

I have Mauser HSc that is described as follows: 75-80% blued finish/ wooden grips and the markings on the left part of the slide that say Mauser-Werke AG Oberndorf a. N
Model HSC Kal 7,65mm.
The left trigger guard has an eagle over the numbers 655.
The right trigger guard has the eagle over the letter N.
951 is stamped on the bottom of the barrel near the feed ramp.
857 is stamped on the bottom of the slide near the barrel opening.
No stamp on the bottom of the magazine.
letter F stamped near magazine release
Serial number is 716 815

Does anyone know the value of this pistol or its approximate time of manufacture? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!
Lonny Mayne

[Jim K]

FBM stands for Freiwillige Beschuss Mauser (Mauser Voluntary Proof). I am not sure I know the whole story, but apparently because of Mauser's pre-eminent position in arms export and the fact that there was no government proof house at Oberndorf, they were allowed to have arms for export proved in their own factory rather than at a government (West German) proof house.

Maybe someone else can contribute more information.

The Eagle/N was the standard commercial nitro proof in the Nazi era, superceding (in 1940) the Crown/N. It was itself superceded by a different style eagle in the post-war period.

Jim

[wonderwhippet]

You have an early army issue HSC as indicated by the acceptance marking E/655. Later in production the number was changed to 135. Both versions are collectable, but the earlier one is more valuable. In the condition you describe, your pistol is worth around $500.

[lrm57]

Thanks wonderwhippet!! This is the first Mauser HSc that I seen so I had no idea about the pistol. Any opinion as to the best type of .32 caliber to use??
The pistol does not have the original holster but the one it came with looks to be vintage and fits it very well. Any thoughts on The Red Head Duck brand? It is also marked 1200 DB on the holster flap. I'll try to post some pics of both items later so you all can see what I have. Again, many thanks for your help!! Have a great day!!

LM

P.S. What is the best process for posting pictures on this site??

[wonderwhippet]

Can't say anything abut your holster, but any factory brand of .32 ammo should work well. Just don't use +P or hollow points.

[lrm57]

Is there a feeding issue with using hollow point bullets?? With the small caliber I would only want to use hollow points.

[Snakedriver]

I had a Mauser HSc that I bought new back in the early 70's. It was such a jam-o-matic that I couldn't trust it, so I traded it in a few years later on a Beretta Cheetah in .380. With the Mauser it didn't matter what ammo you used (ball or HP), you got one shot and then a stovepipe jam almost every time. On top of that, it wasn't very accurate. I never regretted getting rid of that silly thing.

[wonderwhippet]

We just can't compare the wartime HSC to the post war ones. The latter were very poor pistols, but the wartime ones were rugged and dependable. However, they were never meant to use hollow points, so they may or may not function with them. You have to try it.

[lrm57]

If I decide to sell are there any offers out there?? Seems like all the issues you all are mentioning can be taken care of by a little tweaking by a qualified pistol smith. Correct me if I am wrong. I would not mind trading for a reliable .22 pistol.
LM

[Jim K]

The HSc was never designed for any caliber except 7.65mm Browning (.32 ACP) or for any bullet except FMJ. In the postwar period, after GCA 68, they were made in 9mm Kurz (.380 ACP) so they could be imported into the U.S. Several of those small pistols (including the Walthers) had failures with the larger caliber; at one point, .380 Walthers came with instructions not to use Remington ammunition, only GECO or Winchester-Western.

Jim

[wonderwhippet]

IRM, check your PMs.

[lrm57]

Wanderwhipet,
I could not send the pics in the normal way. Send me your mailing address and I will be gald to get them to you in that way. Sorry about the troubles I'm having via the normal routes!
LM