Commercial Marked WWI Mauser C96 C-96 Broomhandle Red Nine 9mm Pistol, C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,255.00
LSB#: LSB250828LA004
Make: Mauser
Model: 1896 9mm Military Contract
Serial Number: 53230 (The serial number range for this model was from 1 to about 141000.)
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1917-1918
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Single Action Semi –Auto with Internal Magazine
Barrel Length: 5 1/2”
Sights / Optics: The rear sight is a “V” notch sliding elevator sight with markings from “50-500” that is pinned to the barrel extension. The front sight is an blade fixed to the front of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are walnut with 33 grooves and a large “9” in both grips. The serial number is stamped on the interior of each grip. The left panel has a loss below the grip screw which may have been due to the carving of the 9, appearing to have had the tail re-cut and with finish in the area of the loss. It is not clear if this happened when it was originally carved or if the stock was refurbished more recently. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered nicks and scratches. The serrations are generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: The pistol is blued. The safety and extractor have a fire blued finish and the bolt, lock frame and hammer are “In The White”.
Finish Originality: Refinished. Serialized parts are matching with the exception of the magazine floorplate which is marked “9981”, stamped over a previous marking. The follower is a replacement, not correct for a 9mm.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is well defined. There is evenly scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its current metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout with the balance mostly in handling wear in the grip areas. There is scattered erosion under the finish. There are some scattered nicks under the finish with infrequent marks through the finish. The action shows operational wear. The grip screw is lightly tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in Very Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: 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: None.
Our Assessment: The Broomhandle Model 1896 Mauser is certainly an interesting looking firearm, and the “Red Nine” variants are the most distinctive of any pistol made. During WWI Mauser had two contracts with the military, the first for 7.63mm pistols and the second for 9mm pistols. It soon became apparent that two nearly identical guns with dissimilar ammo was not a good idea. In December 1917, a decision was made to burn a large “9” into the grips and fill them in red paint, with those already issued to be similarly marked in the field and new production marked at the factory.
This pistol is a 9mm Military Contract with “nines” in the grips. The serial numbers are all matching with the exception of the magazine floorplate, the follower is also a replacement. The pistol has been refinished and bears a “Germany” commercial export marking. This is interesting as we have never seen this marking on a Red Nine. It is likely that the pistol remained in inventory after the war but was then sold off in the commercial market after the restrictions on military arms imposed by the Treaty of Versailles. There were only about 141000 of this model made, and they are fairly uncommon today. This is an intriguing pistol that is sure to be of interest to the serious collectors. Please see our photos and good luck!
-Bud
