German 5th Variation Broomhandle Mauser M1930 7.63mm Pistol, 1930s C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,775.00
LSB#: LSB250928DF002
Make: Waffenfabrik Mauser Oberndorf A/N, Germany
Model: 1930, 5th Variation
Serial Number: 916568
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 rear of the receiver under the sight leaf is marked with the serial number, “916568”. The bolt has a crown over “U” proof. The left side of the trigger housing is marked with the third variation Mauser banner, and the right side of the housing is marked, “WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER OBERNDORF A.NECKAR D.R.P.u.A.P.” All serialized parts are matched save for the magwell floorplate.
Barrel Length: 5.5” Approximate
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to a rectangular base fixed to the barrel which has been cut and modified with a pinned insert with a white tip. The rear sight is a Type-E V-notch sliding tangent leaf marked out to 1000.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece walnut with 12 serration cuts and a lanyard loop on the bottom of the frame. The grips have minor handling wear with a few light nicks and scratches. There are a few small chips. The serrations are well defined. There are no cracks. The grips are in Very Good + overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, some small parts are Fire-Blued and some are Polished/Left In The White.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is very bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10 for a C&R.
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 97% of its metal finish. There are light wear marks on the underside of the barrel and front of the trigger housing from assembly/disassembly. The grip screw is sharp with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in Very Good + condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The rear of the frame is slotted for a shoulder stock and the bottom of the grip has a boss for a lanyard ring, with a lanyard ring installed. The follower is not correct for this model. The back of the grip frame is cut to accept a shoulder stock.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Shoulderstock/Holster w/ leather straps, 3x stripper clips w/ 10 rounds of ammo.
Our Assessment: The Mauser C96, popularly known as the Broomhandle, is one of the most distinctive and historically significant autoloading pistols ever produced. By the 1930s, the Model 1930 variant represented the final major evolution of the design, incorporating refinements developed over decades of military, commercial, and foreign contract use. The 5th Variation pistols, produced at Oberndorf between 1930 and 1937, reflect Mauser’s streamlined late-production style, with improved machining, more consistent markings, and the now-classic tangent rear sight paired with the powerful 7.63x25mm cartridge. Its iconic profile, integral magazine, and shoulder-stock compatibility made the C96 one of the earliest attempts to merge handgun and carbine functionality in a single compact weapon. The 7.63x25mm Mauser cartridge, introduced in the 1890s, became one of the fastest pistol rounds of its era and remained influential well into the 20th century. Its high velocity and flat trajectory made it exceptionally effective in both military and commercial use, and it became the parent case for later rounds such as the Soviet 7.62 Tokarev. This example’s exceptionally bright bore and sharp rifling are remarkable for a C&R pistol of this age, indicating careful storage and minimal corrosive damage. The original blued finish, fire-blued small parts, and well-preserved walnut grips contribute to its strong visual appeal, while the included stock-holster and stripper clips provide meaningful context to the pistol’s intended use as a stocked sidearm.
Well-matched late-production C96 pistols with high finish percentages, sharp markings, and excellent mechanical condition continue to command significant collector interest. This example’s originality, strong bore, and Very Good + finish make it a particularly desirable representative of the final era of Broomhandle manufacture. The presence of a stock-holster ensemble further enhances both its display value and historical significance, linking it closely to the multi-role concept that made the C96 famous worldwide. -R.E.
