Versuchsmodel V15

A Mauser Parabellum Prototype

The   Versuchsmodel   V015   is   the   unique   Mauser   Parabellum   prototype   made   by   Mauser   to verify   the   reliability   of   the   stocked   frame.   This   pistol   was   previously   in   the   collection   of Prof.   Dr.   Gminder   Collection   (Prof.   Dr.   Gminder   was   one   of   the   former   manager   of   the Mauser Jagdwaffen GmbH gun division of Mauser in the Parabellum re-introduction period). When   Mauser   management   decided   to   commemorate   stocked   frame   Luger   (Carbine,   Navy and   Artillery)   the   main   problem   was   the   stock   lug   and   the   lanyard   ring.   Because   of   time and   cost   it   was   not   possible   modifying   the   production   tools   to   introduce   a   stocked   frame for a really small number of guns. For   this   reason,   the   Mauser   engineers   decided   to   weld   a   stock   lug   to   the   existing   frames and rework them to insert the lanyard ring. In   order   to   validate   this   solution,   they   decided   to   prepare   a   Versuchsmodel.   Note   the discoloration   of   the   weld   areas   around   the   stock   lug.   The   change   in   hardness,   a   result   of the welding, creates the plum color of the bluing in those areas. A   few   Versuchsmodels   were   still   available   years   after   in   the   Mauser   Versuchsabteilung (Mauser   research   and   development   shop),   they   simply   selected   one   and   modified   it   in order to receive the stock lug and the lanyard ring. Then   a   specific   stock   attaching   iron   was   prepared   and   this   received   the   number   5   (last digit of the V015 serial number). The   pistol   in   this   configuration   was   then   submitted   to   tests   to   verify   the   reliability   of   the solution, and then it joined the collection of remaining Versuch models. More   information   about   the   production   history   of   the   Mauser   Parabellum   can   be   found   in the book: The Parabellum is Back! 1945 - 2000