German 1st Variation Broomhandle Mauser M1930 7.63mm Pistol, 1930s C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,726.00
LSB#: LSB260623DC001
Make: Waffenfabrik Mauser Oberndorf A/N, Germany
Model: 1930, 1st Variation
Serial Number: 822832
Year of Manufacture: 1930 – 1937 / C&R
Caliber: 7.63x25mm
Action Type: Single Action Short Recoil Semi–Auto Pistol with Internal Magazine
Markings: The top of the barrel extension is marked, “WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER OBERNDORF A/N” with a crown over “U” proof. The underside of the barrel has station marks. The barrel extension is marked with the serial number, “822832”. The bolt has a crown over “U” proof. The left side of the trigger housing is marked with the first variation Mauser banner, and the right side of the housing is marked, “WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER OBERNDORF A.NECKAR” The serialized parts are not matched. There is an import mark on the frame.
Barrel Length: 5.25” Approximate (132mm)
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to a rectangular base fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a Type-E V-notch sliding tangent leaf marked out to 1000.
Stock Configuration & Condition: This pistol has two-piece reproduction wood panels screw-set to the frame. There are minimal handling marks throughout. There are no chips or cracks. The grips are in Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is very bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore but there is some moderate stubborn fouling throughout. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8.75/10. The bore has been sleeved.
Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are light wear marks on the underside of the barrel and front of the trigger housing from assembly/disassembly. There are refinished over pitting marks. The grip screw is sharp with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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: Wood Holster w/ leather straps.
Our Assessment: The Mauser C96 was one of the most distinctive and influential early semi-automatic pistols, combining a fixed internal magazine, short-recoil locked-breech action, powerful 7.63x25mm Mauser cartridge, and the unmistakable “Broomhandle” grip profile. The later M1930 represented the mature commercial form of the design, retaining the full-length barrel and 1,000-meter tangent sight while incorporating several detail changes to simplify and modernize production. This first-variation example retains the characteristic Mauser banner, late commercial markings, internal magazine, and full-size 132mm barrel configuration associated with the M1930 series. This pistol remains in Good condition as refinished, retaining approximately 98% of its current blued finish. The metal shows light assembly and disassembly wear, particularly beneath the barrel and around the front of the trigger housing, while areas of earlier pitting remain visible beneath the refinish. The grip screw remains sharp with a strong slot and the markings are clear. The reproduction wood grip panels show minimal handling wear and remain free of chips or cracks, rating in Excellent condition. The bore has been sleeved and is now very bright with sharp rifling and no visible erosion, though moderate stubborn fouling remains present, rating 8.75/10 in this writer’s opinion. The front sight has also been modified with a pinned white-tipped insert, and the serialized components are not matching. Mechanically, the action functions correctly.
For collectors of Mauser automatic pistols, the M1930 represents the final major commercial development of the classic fixed-magazine C96 before Mauser moved into the Schnellfeuer era. This example’s first-variation features and recognizable late-production configuration retain historical interest, but its refinished metal, sleeved bore, reproduction grips, modified front sight, import mark, and non-matching components materially reduce originality-driven collector value. The included wooden holster adds considerably to the presentation, and the strong current bore and functioning action make this an interesting representative example of the late Broomhandle Mauser family. -R.E.