A Mauser Model 1930, this one about “Very Good.” Note the finish, though almost all there, has dull areas with some light rust “freckling,” and shows more high point wear.
To further clarify the standard classifications of “Excellent” through “Fair,” we present the following photographs. Since “New” means just that—new, in the original box with all papers and accessories and perfect means the gun is new but the original box and/or accessories may be missing, we do not show those classifications. All other classifications are subjective, and subject to argument!
A Mauser Model 1930, this one about “Very Good.” Note the finish, though almost all there, has dull areas with some light rust “freckling,” and shows more high point wear.
The left side of the “Excellent” Mauser 1930; note the tight fit of the magazine bottom. The Chinese characters translate to “Made In Germany” and add 5 to 10 percent to the value as compared to the same model without markings.
A Mauser 1930 “Broomhandle” in “Excellent” condition; the original finish is bright and shiny, showing wear only on the high points, while the grips are clean and sharp with little wear and no dents.
Though the grip grooves are still deep and sharp on this “Very Good” Model 1930, the wood does show the nicks and scratches that come from use.
A Colt “Cobra” that rates a solid “Excellent.” Its finish is bright and clean with only slight edge wear, and the light original checkering on the grips shows only slight wear on the high spots.
A Colt Cobra in “Very Good” condition. The blue, though mostly there, shows more wear and some discoloration. The aftermarket wraparound grips could be considered a plus for some buyers.
Two examples of the import markings now required on all firearms imported into the U.S. The OBI OBNY under the Mauser chamber (right) indicates the importer was Oyster Bay Industries in Oyster Bay, New York. Oyster Bay also marked some Mausers by rolling their marking around the barrel (above). Guns without import markings such as those brought back by GIs bring a premium from collectors.
A Model 1930, this one about “Good.” The finish is mostly gone, and there is pitting on the muzzle and around the grips. The grips themselves have some bad scars, with much wear.
The muzzle of the “Good” Mauser; in addition to the deep pitting, the muzzle crown is also worn almost flat.
A Mauser Model 1930 in “Fair” condition. Not only is there no original finish but there is extensive pitting on the frame, barrel and barrel extension. The push-button on the rear sight latch is missing, and the magazine bottom is a poor fit with a mismatched serial number. The grips are worn almost smooth, and the grip screw is scarred from a slipping screwdriver.
The underside of the “Fair” Mauser; the magazine bottom is a poor fit in the gun, showing an irregular gap between parts. The scratch is from careless use of a screwdriver during removal.
A Colt Cobra that would rate a high “Good.” There is a good deal of blue wear with some light rust freckling, and the frame has been drilled just above the hammer for a hammer shroud (missing). The grips are so worn that the original checkering is entirely gone.
The cylinder of the “Good” condition Colt Cobra. Note the fingerprint etched into the cylinder by perspiration and the pits on the adjacent chamber.