Mauser C96 Broomhandle Standard Prewar Commercial Model, Blue 5 ½” SA Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1911-1915, C&R

SOLD
LSB#: 161228TK08

Make: Mauser

Model: 1896 Standard Prewar Commercial

Serial Number: 193374

Year of Manufacture: 1911-1915 (www.oldguns.net)

Caliber: 7.63mm Mauser

Action Type: Single Action Semi –Auto with Internal Magazine

Markings: The top of the barrel chamber is marked “GERMANY”, the left shoulder with “193374” and the left side with a double crowned “U”. The top rear of the bolt is marked “574”, “GERMANY” and with a double crowned “U”. The back of the hammer is marked “574” and the back of the lock frame and frame are marked “193574”. The top of the backstrap is also marked with a script character, but about half of it was ground off when the pistol was refinished. The right side of the frame is marked “WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER / OBERNDORF A. NECKAR”. The flat on the underside of the barrel is marked “C” and “&” and the round part of the barrel just in front of the flat is marked “M” over a script “M”. The left side of the frame is marked with the Mauser banner logo.

Barrel Length: 5 ½”

Sights / Optics: The pistol is mounted with a “V” notch rear sliding elevator sight with markings from “50-1000” that is pinned to the barrel extension. The front sight is a tall inverted “V” blade fixed to the top of the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are walnut with 32 grooves that show oil staining in the grooves. The smooth areas show a few tiny dings and light handling marks with a few deeper dings on the bottom surfaces from the lanyard ring. The grooves show very light wear and several tiny dings. The grips fit the frame well and rate in about Fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: The pistol is blued. The safety, bolt stop, rear sight slider, extractor, and trigger are fire blued. The hammer, bolt, and lock frame are “In The White”.

Finish Originality: The pistol has been refurbished, perhaps at the Mauser factory prior to being imported into the United States. Most of the markings are clear, especially those on the underside of the barrel which are sharp, but the “WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER” address on the top of the barrel’s chamber ring has been ground off and replaced with “GERMANY”, which was an import mark required for import into the United States after 1918.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with extremely light wear in the rifling. There is light erosion scattered throughout the length of the bore.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 88% of its current metal finish. There is thinning on the front edges of the barrel and its extension, on the frame rails and the edges of the magazine well, the bolt stop and the backstrap. The right side of the barrel shows thinning and a spot of pinprick surface erosion, and there is another spot with thinning on the right side of the magazine well. There is a tiny ding through the finish on the underside of the barrel along with a few bruises under the finish and a few tiny dings under the finish on the left side of the frame just above the trigger. The serrations on the hammer are sharp except for a few tiny dings on the left side. The safety serrations are sharp and the bolt serrations show light wear. The grip screw is sharp. The markings are clear except for the scripted character at the top of the backstrap. Overall, this pistol rates in about Fine condition as refurbished.

Mechanics: The rear of the frame is slotted for a shoulder stock and the bottom of the grip has a lanyard ring. The barrel extension is tight on the frame. The safety is the old type, which is correct for this pistol. The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The lanyard ring is included.

Our Assessment: The Broomhandle Model 1896 Mauser is certainly an interesting looking firearm. This pistol is a Standard Prewar Commercial. It would appear that this pistol was refurbished following WWI: the markings on the top of the barrel’s chamber ring were ground off and the import mark “GERMANY” was added prior to the pistol being refurbished. Most of the other markings remain sharp except for the script character at the top of the backstrap. It has matching numbers on the bolt, barrel, frame, lock frame and hammer, and the correct proof stamp on the left shoulder of the barrel. The pistol is in about Fine overall condition as refurbished, with 88% of its current metal finish remaining. The bore is gray with light wear in the rifling and light erosion scattered throughout the bore. The Broomhandle Mausers are very collectable, and this one will be no exception. It will certainly display well, especially from the right side, where the fire blue finish on the bolt stop and trigger can be seen.