Pre-War Commercial 1896, C96 Broomhandle Mauser

Make: Mauser
Model: C96 Broomhandle
Serial Number: 117293
Year of Manufacture: 1930’s
Caliber: 7.63 Mauser
Action Type: Semi-Auto Internal Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel/slide is marked with two crowns over “U”. The left side of the frame is marked “Germany”. The top of the barrel is marked “Waffenfabrik / Mauser / Oberndorf”. There is a small “M” over a large “M” under the barrel. The number “117293” is found on the side flat of the barrel. The back of the hammer is marked “293”. The back of the safety and the back of the grip frame are marked “117293”. The top of the slide is marked “293” with two crowns over “U”.
Barrel Length: 5 ½”
Sights / Optics: The gun is mounted with a fixed blade front sight and a slide adjustable rear sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are wood with 33 lines. There are some compression marks on the sides and some dings and marks on the rounded bottoms. There are no visible chips or cracks. The grips rate in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is sharp and deep. There is mild erosion in the grooves. This bore is very shootable.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. There is some holster / use wear, mostly on the high edges. There is mild finish loss from wear at the muzzle, and just above the grip straps. The sides of the magazine well show some light beginning pinprick frosting. The metal is smooth otherwise and remains sharp. The Screw heads are sharp and undamaged. The markings are clear. Overall, this gun rates in about Very Good – Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: This very nice Broomhandle Mauser, a standard Pre-War commercial 4 Groove Bore, 10 rd. magazine model. You may or may not recognize this as Han Solo’s Blaster from Star Wars, but it was an 1896 Broomhandle used for the movie. The Broomhandle was a favorite sidearm of soldiers issued them, and remains a collector favorite today. Laurence of Arabia and Winston Churchill famously admired these guns, you will too.

Sold For: $2,477