Mauser Model 1914
A 7.65mm derivative of the Mauser Model 1910 used in both World Wars.
The Mauser Model 1914 is a semi-automatic pistol built by Mauser. It was developed from the 6.35mm (.25 caliber) Model 1910, a design by Josef Nickl, and fires 7.65mm (32 ACP) cartridges. The later Model 1934 was a revised version of the 1914. These pistols saw service with German police and military forces in both World Wars.
The Model 1910 had two main variants. The first, called the “Side Latch,” used a rotating latch above the trigger to remove the lockwork cover for cleaning. The second variant, the “New Model” (often called the Model 1910/14 because it appeared in 1914), fixed a problem with the original: field stripping could remove the trigger, which was then hard to reinstall due to spring tension. The New Model also improved the interrupter, magazine, and slide stop mechanisms, and changed the striker so it was easier to tell if the pistol was cocked.
The pistol is single-action and striker-fired. The trigger connects to a bell crank lever that rotates to release the striker sear, letting the striker fly forward under spring pressure to fire. The slide locks open when the magazine is empty or missing. Removing an empty magazine leaves the slide locked open, but inserting and fully seating an empty magazine closes it. If a loaded magazine is inserted while the slide is locked open, the slide automatically moves forward and chambers a round, allowing quick reloading without manually operating the slide. If the slide is already forward when a loaded magazine is inserted, pulling it back loads a round as usual. The Model 1914’s action was essentially the same as the New Model 6.35mm pistols, with the same improvements to the trigger, interrupter, and magazine mechanisms that lock the slide open on an empty magazine and prevent firing when the magazine is removed.
Users included the German Empire and Nazi Germany (police and Kriegsmarine), Finland (200 pistols listed in military inventory by 1943), the Republic of China (using M1910, M1914, and M1934 variants), and the Japanese Empire (M1910 and M1914 purchased by officers).
Quick Facts
- Origin
- German Empire
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Service
- 1914–1945
- Used By
- German Empire / Nazi Germany / Finland
- Wars
- World War I / Finnish Civil War / World War II
- Design Date
- 1914
- Manufacturer
- Mauser
- Cartridge
- 7.65mm (.32 ACP) 7.63mm Mauser (Chinese copies)
- Feed
- 8 round standard detachable box magazine
- Action
- blowback operation
- Weight
- 20 oz
- Length
- 6.1 in (155 mm)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Mauser Model 1914 was developed as a larger-caliber version of the Model 1910, designed by Josef Nickl. It retained the basic single-action, striker-fired operation of its predecessor, with the trigger connected to a bell crank lever that disengages the striker sear. The slide locks open both on an empty magazine and when no magazine is inserted; removing an empty magazine leaves the slide locked open, but inserting and fully seating an empty magazine closes the slide. If a loaded magazine is inserted while the slide is locked open, the slide automatically chambers a round, enabling quick reload without manually operating the slide.
The pistol's action incorporated improvements from the New Model 6.35mm pistols, including enhancements to the trigger, interrupter, and magazine mechanisms. The magazine mechanism blocks the slide open when empty and prevents firing if the magazine is removed. The later Mauser Model 1934 was an updated version of the Model 1914.
Users included the German Empire, Nazi Germany (police and Kriegsmarine), Finland (which listed 200 pistols in military inventory by 1943), the Republic of China (which used M1910, M1914, and M1934 variants), and Japanese Empire officers who purchased M1910 and M1914 models.
Reader's Guide
The Mauser Model 1914 represents a significant step in Mauser's pistol development, adapting the compact Model 1910 design to a more powerful cartridge. Its automatic slide-closing feature upon insertion of a loaded magazine was an innovative convenience for its era, reducing the steps needed to bring the pistol into action. The pistol saw extensive military and police service in Germany across both World Wars, and was also exported to Finland, China, and Japan. The design's longevity is evidenced by the later Model 1934 update, which continued the same basic mechanism. While not as widely known as some contemporaries, the Model 1914's role in equipping German forces and its adoption by multiple nations underscores its practical reliability. The pistol's striker-fired single-action system and safety features—such as the magazine disconnect and slide hold-open—were well-regarded for their time. Its legacy lies in demonstrating how a small-frame pocket pistol could be scaled up for military use while retaining user-friendly features.
Did You Know?
- The Mauser Model 1914 is a derivative of the 6.35mm Model 1910 designed by Josef Nickl.
- The slide automatically closes and chambers a round when a loaded magazine is inserted while the slide is locked open.
- The pistol was used by German police and military during both World Wars.
- Finland listed 200 Mauser 1914 pistols in its military inventory by 1943.
More in Semi-Automatic Pistols, Part 2 1-24
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