This is an exceptional example of a very early 1896 Cone Hammer Mauser pistol that was a presentation piece to Porfirio Diaz the President of Mexico. Porfirio Diaz was one of Mexico's most famous and well liked presidents and his two tenures in office spanned over 30 years (1876-1911). During this time he was heavily involved in Mexico's acquisition of some of the most advanced "State of the Art" weapons from around the world. This Mauser pistol fits that description well. This pistol reportedly originally was in the possession of the family of a well-known Mexican collector since before WWII and was ultimately acquired by the famed publisher Robert E. Petersen with whom it resided for some years. On the left side of the pistol in the center milled frame panel is a raised, dime size, circular area with a sculptured outer edge with the raised "gold" intertwined initials "PD" of Porfirio Diaz with light relief cuts across the face of the initials. The background has been grooved or lightly stippled to also highlight the initials. The balance of the pistol itself is engraved in a very nice, delicate, tight circular English, bank note scroll pattern with a matching border around all the engraving, which covers approximately 65-75% of the pistols total surface area. These areas include: the front and sides of the magazine well, the milled panel areas on both sides, the floor plate, bottom area of the trigger guard and the front and rear sections of the upper receiver. A very fine engraved decorative border is on the front and rear grip straps. The pistol is a desirable antique "cone hammer" variation with the deep milled panels on each side. The top of the chamber area is marked "WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER OBERNDORF, A/N". The right side has the early "Ulm" antlered proofmark, and the left side of the upper receiver has the "Crown/U" proofmark. The rear sight has the early 50-500 meter markings. It has the fixed front sight. It also has the early dovetail firing pin retainer block at the rear of the bolt and the early style cone hammer. The grips are the standard Mauser versions with 22 grooves on each side, and a lanyard ring is on the bottom of the grip. The top of the barrel is engraved "Gustav Weidner Plauen I/V" (Gustau Weidner was a gunsmith in Plauen Germany). It has the correct and matching combination wooden holster/shoulder stock. The attaching iron is correctly stamped with the matching serial number of the pistol (11542) running correctly, perpendicular to the stock iron. It is complete with an later original French style prewar Mauser factory leather presentation case that is chamois-lined. The case is complete with three leather cartridge boxes and three empty pre-war DWM marked ammo boxes that would have held 20 rounds in each box and a standard Mauser wooden handled cleaning rod. The Mauser case and ammo boxes are very similar to those pictured in "The Broomhandle Pistol" book by Ericksen and Pate on pages 197 and the top left and right corners of page 272 respectively.

Excellent overall with 95% of the original blue finish overall with wear and thinning on the left side of the barrel and around the muzzle area on both sides, some thinning and fading on the front and rear grip strap as well as the edges and high spots. The grips are in very good condition showing a nice original, dark brown matching color overall with some minor pressure dents and handling marks on both sides. The well-executed engraving is excellent overall. The raised gold initials "PD" are clear and complete with nice sharp relief, that are 95% complete with a small area of the letter "D" missing. The wooden stock is also in excellent condition. It has a nice light honey brown color overall with a little figure running through the woods on both sides. With minor handling marks and a solid 97% of the blue finish on the attaching iron. The case is in very good condition. It shows the usual scrapes and handling marks on the sides, edges, and around the corners and some minor repairs on two corners on the bottom half and one on the front right corner. The accessories inside are all in very good plus condition. A superb One-of-Kind Presentation 1896 Mauser Pistol to President Porfirio Diaz of Mexico. Don't miss your chance to add this to your Mauser Collection as these opportunities seldom become available.