Born in Speyer, Rheinpfalz, in 1911, Otto Wilhelm Kron was the son of a police official. He was one of the first to join the Allgemeine-SS in 1931 (SS #31.441) and the NSDAP in 1933. From 1933 to 1936, Kron served as an enlisted man and a guard with the SS-Totenkopf-Standarte 1 “Oberbayern” stationed at Dachau. He then became an officer and was sent to SS-Junkerschule “Bad Tolz.” We take a look at his Mauser HSc.
Otto Kron’s WWII Mauser HSc
Otto Kron’s promotion to SS-Untersturmfuhrer (2nd Lieutenant) in 1936 took him back to Dachau where he was on assignment until 1938. It was then that he went with the Anschluss of Austria and Sudenland. He received medals for both and promotion to SS-Hauptsturmfuhrer. Likewise, he received the Iron Cross, 2nd Class, in 1940 for the Battle of France.
In 1941, Kron was involved in Operation Barbarossa. It was there that he received the Iron Cross, 1st Class and the Eastern Front Medal. And in 1942, he received the Knight’s Cross while in command of the 3rd SS Flak Battalion when he was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfuhrer.
In 1943, Otto Kron took over command of the 3rd SS Reconnaissance Battalion, SS Totenkopf. During the Battle of Kharkov, he suffered a severe wound, serving the rest of the war with a shortened, stiff leg. In 1944, he was promoted to SS-Obersturmfuhrer (Lt. Colonel).
In June 1945, Otto Wilhelm Kron surrendered his command to U.S. Army forces in Austria. After the war, he established a program to help World War II German Veterans return to civil life.
But due to his pre-war service with the SS-Totenkopf-Standarte 1 ‘Oberbayern,’ he faced several war crimes trials held at Dachau during the 1950s. He died in 1951, officially of an incurable disease of the larynx that came up abruptly during his trials.
During Kron’s surrender in June, he turned over a number of his possessions to U.S. Army T/5 Dwayne Stockwell asn. 37751113 to include Kron’s issue officer’s tunic, pistol belt, holsters, and three pistols.
The pistols listed as a German Luger, 9mm, Serial #8626, A Browning 6.35mm, Serial 275483, and an “Ornate” 7.65mm Mauser, Serial 823239, which is the subject here.
The Mauser HSc
This 7.65mm Mauser, #823239, is a Model HSc made in 1942. It features 100 percent engraving in a typical German “oak/acorn” pattern along with a hand-engraved date, 28.6.42. The date sits above the serial number on the front strap. This is the date he was awarded the Knight’s Cross during Operation Barbarossa.
Above this date, engraved oak leaves surround the silver inlaid Knight’s Cross. On the pistol’s backstrap is an angled banner hand engraved with “O W” above Kron. The rear of the slide contains two inlaid silver runes, also surrounded by oak leaves.
On the front/left of the slide, the engraving surrounds the MAUSER banner. This banner is also on the plain bottom of the magazine, which looks unused, as does the breech face and bore.
The only other marks seen are a tiny, engraved eagle on the r/r of the triggerguard over an “N” and a “K” on the butt amongst the engraving.
Overall, the pistol is a strong 97 percent with only a few small handling marks on the grips and magazine plate. It is probable that Kron carried the above 9mm Luger in a holster on his belt into battle. Thus, keeping the Mauser safe.
The Mauser HSc by the Numbers
Guns Made
- Circa WW II: 251,939
- Post War: 19,300
- 1960’s -1970’s: 63,118
- Total production: 334,357
Specs
Caliber: .32 (7.65x17mm), 8 rounds
Capacity: 8+1 (7.65x17mm); 7+1 (.380 ACP—1960s-1970s)
Weight: 1.9 ounces (empty)
Overall length: 6 inches
Barrel: 3.4 inches
This article was originally published in the Combat Handguns July/August 2022 issue. Subscription is available in print and digital editions at OutdoorGroupStore.com. Or call 1-800-284-5668, or email subscriptions@athlonmediagroup.com.
