This week on Wheelgun Wednesday, we’ll be taking a look into German revolvers of the past with the Mauser C78 revolver. The “1st model” C78s were solid frame guns, but shortly after their introduction, the vastly improved hinged frame “2nd models” came out. The C78 “2nd model” was an 1878 German design by Gebrüder Mauser & Co, as Waffenfabrik Mauser didn’t exist until 1884. The distinct features of the C78 series were the cam-track cylinder rotation system designed by Elisha Root coupled with a lever-release tip-up break-open frame.
Mauser C78 patent model (note the screw on the frame behind the cylinder, as well as the absence of a safety lever). Image Credit: Cowan Auctions
A lever forward of the trigger guard of this revolver unlocked the frame and provided for simultaneous extraction at the end of the lever throw. The barrel with the attached cylinder then tipped upward and the cases would eject, providing for fast unloading/loading of the revolver.
Mauser C78 production model (note the safety lever and smaller frame screw behind the cylinder). Image Credit: Cowan Auctions
Mauser C78s also had a number of other interesting features, such as a cylinder lock, a safety lever, generously sized sights for the era, and a dedicated disassembly tool. C78s came chambered in a bottlenecked 10.6mm cartridge at first, followed by straight-wall 10.6mm, 9mm, and 7mm chamberings. At first, the C78 was single-action only, but later, some double-action models were made. C78s also came with and without safety catches and lanyard loops.
Zig Zag on a track
The cylinder rotation was not actuated by a hand in the frame, but rather by a cam powered by the mainspring. Cocking the hammer would actuate the cam back and forth in the cylinder track, advancing the cylinder to the next chamber.
Mauser C78. Image Credit: Cowan Auctions
The Mauser C78 was not the only revolver to be made with a cam-track cylinder. A few other Mauser handguns and revolving rifles used this design, as well as two “automatic revolvers”: the Union and the Webley-Fosbury.
Military Trials
Mauser submitted the C78 for consideration by the German military in 1879. Unfortunately, it ultimately lost out to the (in my opinion) lesser quality 1879 “Reichsrevolver”, largely due to the Mauser’s manufacturing complexity and potential cost. Nevertheless, Mauser C78 rode in the holsters of German military personnel and policemen through WWI and into the interwar years.
Mauser C78. Image Credit: Cowan Auctions
That’s it for this week’s Wheelgun Wednesday! But if you want more wheelgun content, TFBTV’s James Reeves has the hottest new revolver news coming out of IWA 2023 that you can watch below. As always, thanks for reading, and tuning in to TFB.