Lot 115

Presentation Inscribed Six-Shot Mauser 1896 Broomhandle Pistol

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Presentation Inscribed Six-Shot Mauser 1896 Broomhandle Pistol

Estimate: $35,000 - $55,000

Starting Bid: $30,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Historic Six-Shot Fixed Sight Pre-Bolo Variant Mauser Model 1896 Large Ring Broomhandle Semi-Automatic Pistol with Von Lengerke & Detmold Retailer Marking, Presentation Inscribed to Lieutenant James M. Loud with Rare U.S. "Maestranza de Manila" Holster, and Extensive Documentation This historic six-shot fixed sight variant Mauser Model 1896 Large Ring Broomhandle pistol has a finely engraved period presentation inscription on the left side of the frame that reads in five lines: "COMPANY 'L' 7TH U.S. INFANTRY/TO/Lieut. Jas. M. Loud/28TH U.S. INFANTRY/OCTOBER 1ST 1902." It is rare to encounter Broomhandle pistols in any form carried by U.S. servicemen, and this Von Lengerke & Detmold retailer marked example having been presented to Lieutenant James M. Loud who carried it in the Philippines along with its special accompanying U.S. holster. James Loud was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 15, 1877, the son of Captain John Loud, and lived until September 25, 1935. In the mid to late 1890s, James served as sergeant major in the cadet battalion at the Colorado Agricultural College. His father lobbied to try to get him into West Point to no avail. On January 23, 1900, he was commissioned second lieutenant in the 7th Infantry. He left for Alaska on May 26, 1900, and arrived at Fort Gibbon, Alaska, on September 1, 1900. As commander of Company L of the 7th Infantry, he was involved in laying the first telegraph lines across Alaska between September 27, 1900, through November 18, 1900, and again from April 1, 1901, through November 10, 1901. Loud and his company were then transferred to Idaho, Washington, and then to the Presidio of San Francisco nearby the present day Golden Gate Bridge. On August 1, 1902, James Loud was promoted to first lieutenant, and was then transferred on September 11, 1902, to the 28th Infantry. On October 1, 1902, Lieutenant James Loud sailed for the Philippines with the 28th Infantry, which coincides with the date of the presentation inscription on this pistol. The pistol is believed to have been purchased privately by the troops of Company L 7th Infantry and inscribed for presentation to James Loud the day he shipped out to the Philippines. Loud commanded 28th Infantry troops in the Philippines building roads between November 15, 1902 to June 20, 1903. He was then ordered on an expedition under General Wood in search of Philippine slaves held by the Moros. He returned to San Francisco on January 14, 1904. In March of 1904, he accepted a tour of duty with the Jefferson Guards at the St. Louis Exposition. He saw continued service in various capacities through the World War I era and was active duty until 1923. Included is a binder full of numerous scans related to the military service of James M. Loud, with one scan of a service report notably coinciding with the date of the inscription on this pistol stating he "Sailed for Division of the Philippines Oct 1st 1902 - arrived mainland Oct. 30th 1902 - attached to Co. 'L' [28th Infantry] for duty by Regimental Commander." The pistol also has a rare accompanying "Maestranza de Manila" (Armory of Manila) leather holster with Manila Armory's distinct oval bordered U.S. embossed marking on the flap, and "LOUD." deeply carved on the rear along with another name "LANGLEY" carved twice by his future grandson. U.S. issued Broomhandle pattern holsters are very seldom encountered today, as they were made in very limited numbers for issue to officers who carried Broomhandle pistols in the Philippines. The few examples witnessed typically were made for standard ten-shot Mauser Model 1896 Broomhandle pistols from the 1900 to 1901 timeframe rather than this holster specially made sometime around late 1902 to fit this six-shot Mauser Model 1896 Broomhandle pistol. It is the only U.S. holster of its specific kind witnessed by this writer. James Loud appears to have had this holster made exclusively for this pistol by the Manila Armory after his arrival in the Philippines. For reference, two examples of the "Maestranza de Manila" holsters for ten-shot Mauser Model 1896 Broomhandle pistols are photographed on page 329 of "U.S. Military Holsters and Pistol Cartridge Boxes" by Edward Scott Meadows. This pistol is from c. 1902 production and exhibits rare early features resembling the later Bolo pistols. It has a 4 inch barrel with a pinched blade front sight, a distinctive factory fixed notch rear sight, shallow milled frame panels, large ring hammer, a smaller grip size, serrated walnut grips, and a lanyard stud and ring on the butt of the grip frame. "Crown/crown/U" proofs are on the left of the upper barrel extension and on the breech block. The pistol has matching visible serial numbers. The left side of the frame has the mentioned presentation inscription along with the three-line retailer marking "VON LENGERKE/& DETMOLD/NEW-YORK" indicating it was privately purchased for presentation to Loud.

Manufacturer: Mauser

Model: Broomhandle

BBL: 4 inch round

Gauge: 7.63 mm Mauser auto

Finish: blue

Grips: walnut

Serial Number29589

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Provenance: Lieutenant James M. Loud; The Charlie Justmann Collection
  • Condition: Very fine, retains 80% original blue finish, with smooth brown patina and some scattered light pitting on the balance indicative of some use in the Philippines, and a crisp presentation inscription. The grips are also fine, flush fitting, with light handling wear. Mechanically excellent. The holster is fine, remaining sound with general age related wear. A highly desirable example for the U.S. military collector: a historic six-shot fixed sight variant Mauser Model 1896 Large Ring Broomhandle pistol presentation inscribed to Lieutenant James M. Loud with its accompanying rare U.S. "Maestranza de Manila" holster!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000