Model Madness: A Blast from the Past (1)

LS 1/1 Mauser with Holster Stock

LS were, I believe, a Japanese manufacturer producing models of various kinds into the 1980s. In the late 70s and early 80s, I built a number of their 1/1 scale pistols. I was never interested in having an airgun or .22 rifle like my friends, but I was fascinated by guns and the way they worked so these kits were ideal. ... Probably the result of watching too many war films and James Bond films and reading too many Warlord comics!

They were manufactured in pre coloured hard plastic with various screws, nuts and springs made of metal. The nature of the plastic meant that cyanoacrylate type glues had to be used throughout construction. The models worked like the real thing and could be stripped, but they didn't and couldn't fire anything.

My models are now largely broken to some extent or other with parts not working as they should. But that is perhaps hardly surprising for kits that are about 35 years old, been used in play many times and endured several house moves.

The Mauser C96 'Broomhandle' here is the 7.63 calibre model with a stock which also served as a holster. The holster/stock was made of wood in the original. The gun was loaded by means of a metal clip from above rather than the usual removeable magazine.

The box ...