Rare Mauser Model C96 1896 Broomhandle Model 1930 Transitional, 5.2” Semi-Automatic Pistol & Holster, MFD 1930-32 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,065.00
LSB#: 150811DH36
Make: Mauser
Model: 1896 1930 transitional
Serial Number: 800918
Year of Manufacture: 1930-1932 (www.oldguns.net)
Caliber: 7.63 Mauser
Action Type: Single Action Semi –Auto with Internal Magazine
Markings: The top of the barrel chamber is marked “WAFFENFABRIK / MAUSER / OBERNDORF A/N”, the left shoulder is marked with a double crowned “U” definitive proof and the left side with “800918”. The top rear of the bolt is marked “0918” and with a double crowned “U”. The top of the backstrap is marked with a script “M”. The right side of the frame is marked “WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER / OBERNDORF A. NECKAR”. The flat on the underside of the barrel is marked “8”, “0”, “2”, “A” and with a script “B”. The flat is also marked with the import mark “IA-CO / SAC CA”. The barrel in front of the flat is marked with a script “M”. The left side of the frame is marked with the Mauser banner logo. The underside of the frame just behind the trigger guard is double stamped “GERMANY” and just in front of the trigger guard with “30”.
Barrel Length: 5.2”
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 fixed inverted “V” blade fixed to the band at the front of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are walnut with 12 grooves. Both grips show small nicks and shallow bruises in the smooth areas and a few handling marks in the raised areas between the grooves. The wood on the right grip is slightly darker than on the left grip. The grips rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: The finish is original.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with light to moderate wear in the rifling. There is extremely light erosion in the grooves the length of the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 6% of its metal finish. There are few handling marks on the sides of the magazine and two spots of pinprick surface erosion: one at the right front edge of the frame and another just above it on the right side of the barrel extension. The barrel, front strap and backstrap show surface loss and the frame and barrel extension show thinning with finish remaining only in the protected areas. There are several small dings along the underside of the barrel, with several more on the underside of the magazine and the trigger guard. The serrations on the hammer and safety show very light wear and there are a few tiny dings in the edges of the bolt serrations. The grip screw is sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The rear of the frame is slotted for a shoulder stock and the bottom of the grip has a lanyard ring. There is a barely perceptible amount of play between the barrel extension and the frame. The pistol has the “universal safety” (allows the hammer to fall safely on a loaded chamber) and stepped barrel of the Model 1930 but does not have the D.R.P.u.A.P markings on the right side of the frame found on the Model 1930 pistols. The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a brown leather holster. The holster fits the pistol snugly. It has two pouches sewn to the front for carrying loaded stripper clips. The back side is folded over the grip of the pistol and snapped to the outside of the holster above the clip pouches. There is a single wide belt loop on the back of the holster with two “D” rings for attaching the holster to a harness. The inside of the holster is lined with purple velvet. The holster is of modern construction and shows only a few handling marks. The corn colored stitching is all intact and the nickel plated snaps show no surface loss. The holster is in about Fine condition. Please see our pictures for more details.
Our Assessment: The Broomhandle Model 1896 Mauser is certainly an interesting looking firearm. This pistol is a 1930 Transitional Model. It has a “universal safety” and the stepped down barrel of the 1930 model, but does not have the D.R.P.u.A.P marking on the right side of the frame that is found on the Model 1930’s. There is an import mark on the underside barrel flat and the barrel and bolt have matching serial numbers. The pistol is in about Good overall condition with 6% of its original metal finish remaining. It shows surface loss and thinning with small dings along the underside of the barrel, magazine and trigger guard. There are also two spots of pinprick surface erosion: one on the right front edge of the frame and another just above it on the barrel extension. The grips are walnut with 12 grooves. There are several small dings and light bruises in the smooth areas above and below the grooves, and a few more in the raised areas between the grooves. The bore is gray with light to moderate wear in the rifling and extremely light erosion in the grooves the length of the bore. The pistol comes with a modern brown leather holster that has two pouches for loaded stripper clips. The holster looks very nice, and while not collectable, does serve to set-off the pistol when on display. This is a very nice looking C96 pistol that is clean and in great mechanical condition – its only negative is the import mark on the underside of the barrel. We think this will have interest to the collectors in spite of the import marks. This transitional model was only made for a few years, and is a lot harder to find than many of the other variations.
