Custom Mauser C96 1930 M30 Broomhandle 9mm 5 1/2″ Semi-Automatic Pistol C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,247.00
WOA#: WY240603MA010
Make: Mauser
Model: C96, Model 1930 (M30)
Serial#: 826667
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1930-1932
Caliber: Re-chambered for 9mm Luger
Action Type: Semi-Automatic Short-Recoil Pistol with an Internal Magazine fed by stripper clips.
Markings: The left side of the barrel extension is marked with the serial number “826667” under a double crowned “U” Imperial-era German proof. The top of the chamber ring is marked “WAFFENFABRIK / MAUSER / OBERNDORF A/N”. The left of the frame has a Mauser banner logo, the right side of the frame is marked “WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER / OBERNDORF A. NECKAR. The rear of the bolt is marked with a crown above a crowned “u”. The top-front of the frame, in front of the magazine well, is marked “667”. The floorplate is marked “667” and with what appears to be “1661”, the markings are obscured by erosion. There are no serial markings on the locking block, lock-frame, or its components. Each grip panel has a large red “9”. The left of the barrel has a faint CAI import marking.
Barrel Length: 5 1/2”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade and the rear sight is a “V”-notch tangent leaf marked 50-500 meters.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grips are two-piece serrated wood. The grips have only a few scattered minor marks. The serrations are well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-Excellent condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion, but there is some stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 or 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 80% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges, most notable on the floorplate and lock-frame. There are some areas showing thinning going to a light patina. There is scattered surface erosion under the finish with more notable pitting on each side of the frame above the grips. There is more notable erosion and pitting under the grips. There are scattered light handling marks, nicks and scuffs. The markings are generally clear, the import mark is faint. The screwhead is tooled but remains serviceable. Overall, the pistol is in Very Good condition as customized.
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 and Accessories: The gun comes with a reproduction wood holster/stock with leather harness.
Our Assessment: At the end of the 19th century semi-automatic handguns were being adopted by most major powers. Germany was at the forefront of this firearms revolution, a number of prominent designs coming from the relatively young nation. Among the most iconic was the Mauser Model 1896 (remembered as the C96), designed by the Feederle brothers (Fidel, Friedrich and Josef) whom were close associates of Paul Mauser, the owner of the famous German arms manufacturer, and they all worked at Mauser’s experimental workshop. They developed a number of prototypes over the course of the early 1890s before finally perfecting what would become the C96 in 1896. A number of variations of the design were produced by Mauser over a production cycle that would last over four decades; most featured a 10 round fixed internal magazine that was loaded with stripper clips. Most C96s were chambered for the 7.63x25mm cartridge and a number were later also chambered for 9mm Luger rounds (several other chamberings exist as well, but these are the two most common by far). Mauser’s design was adopted by the German military and the company secured a number of contracts with various powers to sell the weapon to their armed forces; this included the Ottoman Empire, Italy, Persia and Austria-Hungary. The gun saw extensive use during WWI and was still in service during WWII with the Wehrmacht to a much more limited degree.
This particular specimen is a Model 1930 variant of the C96 that has been customized, re-bored and re-chambered for 9mm Luger cartridges. A set of “red nine” grips has been installed to make sure you don’t try to load .30 Mauser in it, and the gun comes with a nice reproduction stock/holster rig. This is a beautifully constructed old pistol that should make a worthy addition to any historical firearms collection. Good luck on your bid!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
