Souvenirs of Death (1948)

John Nesbitt: Mauser Pistol - Narrator

Quotes 

• Mauser Pistol : [narrating]  As a war trophy, however, my story began in 1944, on a battlefield in northern France. The victorious Allies were marching through now, and my first owner, Herr Lt. Von Bider, was face down in the mud - a matter of indifference to me, since my sole function is to puncture the human body. It appeared I was to have a new owner.

• [last lines] 

  Mauser Pistol : [narrating]  You understand, I presume, that this sort of thing is my profession. Precisely as playing with a match causes it to burn your fingers, so playing - oh, well; you understand, I'm sure. So, into the company of many members of my military family, an innocent keepsake - now referred to officially as Exhibit 3315. A matter, I am obliged to note in conclusion, of complete indifference to me.

• [first lines] 

  Mauser Pistol : [narrating]  When my photograph appeared in your newspapers, I was called a "souvenir of death". The police, however, tagged me Exhibit A; as a matter of fact, I am an automatic pistol - special modified type, .38 caliber, manufactured in Germany under the Mauser franchises. Effective killing range: 300 yards.

• Mauser Pistol : [narrating]  My latest owner had expressed the interesting theory that gambling is wrong - if you can come by the money more directly.

• Mauser Pistol : [narrating]  Curious, isn't it, what a fascination a weapon has - even for little children playing with cap pistols and wooden guns.