Chinese M712 Zilaide 9mm Broomhandle Mauser Copy & Extras, MFD 1990s
SOLD FOR: $2,036.00
LSB#: LSB260507DH010
Make: Unknown Chinese Make, Imported by Bricklee Trading company (BTC)
Model: M712 Zilaide Commercial Copy
Serial Number: 75312
Year of Manufacture: Circa, 1990s / Modern
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Single Action Short Recoil Semi–Auto Pistol Fed By Detachable Magazines.
Markings: The right side of the grip frame is marked, “Zìláidé shouqiang” in Chinese above a Yin-Yang mark. The left side has a bow & arrow in a cog “arsenal” mark. The rear of the frame is marked, “CHINA”. The top of the receiver is marked, “75312”. The top of the barrel extension is marked, “9MM”.
Barrel Length: 5 5/8” Approximate
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a barleycorn blade integral to a rectangular base fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a V-notch sliding tangent leaf marked out to 1000.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece serrated walnut panels. There are rough marks from the factory. There are no chips or cracks. Overall the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, In The White.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The chrome bore is very bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore but there is some faint stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are light handling marks, scratches, and light patina throughout. The action has light wear. The grip screw is lightly tooled. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in Very Good + condition. The holster is in Very Good to Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions as intended. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Hard case, wood holster, 1x 20rd and 1x 10rd magazine.
Our Assessment: The pistol is a modern Chinese-made commercial interpretation of the Mauser C96 and detachable-magazine M712 pattern, imported or completed by Bricklee Trading Company during the 1990s. Although its general profile, tangent sight, detachable magazines, and long barrel evoke the Schnellfeuer machine pistol, this example is configured as a semi-automatic firearm chambered in 9mm Luger. Its Chinese self-loading-pistol inscription, stylized arsenal emblem, Yin-Yang marking, and commercial import history give it a distinctive place among the C96-pattern firearms brought into the United States near the end of the twentieth century. This example remains in Very Good Plus condition, retaining approximately 97% of its original finish. The metal surfaces exhibit light handling marks, scattered scratches, minor patina, and light operational wear. The grip screw shows light tooling, while the markings remain clear. The chrome-lined bore is very bright with sharp rifling and no visible erosion, showing only faint stubborn fouling and rating 9.5/10 in this writer’s opinion. The serrated walnut grip panels retain their rough factory machining character but remain free of chips and cracks, rating in Excellent condition.
The detachable 10- and 20-round magazines, tangent rear sight, strong bore, and mechanically functional action make this an interesting modern variation of the classic Broomhandle format. It is accompanied by a hard case and wooden holster. Its Chinese markings and Bricklee-associated commercial history is an interesting variation of C96-pattern pistols and stands out as an unconventional imported handgun. -R.E.