Custom Mauser C96 Broomhandle Red Nine-Style 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol, C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,731.26
LSB#: LSB260610BS004
Make: Mauser
Model: 1896 9mm Military Contract
Serial Number: 18508
Year of Manufacture: 1916-1918
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Single Action Semi –Auto with Internal Magazine
Barrel Length: The barrel has been shortened to 5″.
Sights / Optics: The rear sight is a “V” notch sliding elevator sight with markings from “50-1000” that is pinned to the barrel extension. The front sight is a blade fixed to the front of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece serrated walnut with a large “9” in each grip filled with red paint. The inside of each panel has “18508” stamped. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The serrations are well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition as restored, likely not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue, Fire-Blue some parts In the White.
Finish Originality: Professionally Restored. Serialized parts are matching with some likely force-matched or remarked replacements. The rear sight is not correct for a Red 9.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. The is infrequent minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 9/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 97% of its current metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at some edges. There are a few scattered minor marks. There are a few spots of minor erosion under the finish. The action shows very light operational wear. The grip screw is sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in Fine condition as restored.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel assembly has minor play to the frame. 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: This pistol comes with a restored or replaced wooden shoulder stock/holster with serial-matching bracket, a reproduction leather harness for the stock and a reproduction wooden handled cleaning rod.
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, thus creating three variants of the 9mm pistols: those with no marks on the grips, those with factory “nines” and those with “nines” added in the field.
This pistol is a 9mm Military Contract which has been professionally restored, so it looks outstanding for its age and service. The serial numbers are all matching with some likely force-matched or re-marked replacements. The rear sight is a replacement graduated out to 1,000 meters rather than the 500 meters used for Red 9 pistols. To complete the package for the discerning collector, it comes with a refurbished or reproduction wooden shoulder stock/holster and a reproduction leather harness for the shoulder stock. There were only about 141,000 of this model made and one can only guess as to what number survived the trench warfare of WWI. This is a rare pistol that is sure to be of interest to the serious collectors. Please see our photos and good luck!
-Bud