German C96 Mauser Broomhandle Bolo 7.63x25mm Semi-Auto Pistol, C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,050.00
LSB#: LSB251009DC037
Make: Mauserwerke Oberndorf A/N Germany
Model: Model C-96 Bolo
Serial Number: 515662
Year of Manufacture: 1923 – 1930 / C&R
Caliber: 7.63x25mm
Action Type: Single Action Semi–Auto with Internal Magazine
Markings: The side of the barrel extension is marked with the serial number, “515662”. All serialized parts are matched including the internals, however the floor plate of the magazine has had its serial number scrubbed. There is an import mark rolled around the barrel. Much of the markings have been worn off.
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights / Optics: The pistol is mounted with a “V” notch rear sliding elevator sight with markings from “50-1000” that is pinned to the receiver. The front sight is an inverted “V” notch integral to a rectangular base fixed to the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece ribbed wood panels. There are moderate scratches and pressure dents throughout. There are no cracks but there are some refinished over cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fair + condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is worn. There is heavy erosion in the bore along with light spots of pitting. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates at a 4.5/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 5% of its metal finish. There is heavy patina, wear, and small pitting marks throughout along with scratches and impact marks. The action has moderate wear. The grip screw is sharp, the pins are mostly undamaged. The markings are heavily worn. Overall, this pistol is in about Fair 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 Mauser C96 “Bolo” is one of the most recognizable and historically resonant self-loading pistols of the early 20th century, closely tied to the political and military upheaval of the post–World War I era. The Bolo variant, identified by its shortened barrel and grip frame, was produced primarily during the 1920s and is most often associated with commercial export and use throughout Eastern Europe and Asia. Manufactured at Oberndorf during the interwar period, these pistols reflect Mauser’s effort to continue C96 production under the constraints imposed by the Treaty of Versailles while adapting the design for new markets. The compact configuration retained the classic broomhandle profile, integral magazine, and long-range tangent sight that made the C96 one of the earliest successful military autoloaders. Chambered in 7.63x25mm Mauser, the cartridge for which the C96 was originally designed, this pistol represents the round at the height of its historical relevance. Introduced in the 1890s, the 7.63mm Mauser was among the fastest pistol cartridges of its time and influenced later developments such as the Soviet 7.62 Tokarev. In this example, the bore shows significant wear with erosion and pitting consistent with long service life and the widespread use of corrosive ammunition. The metal finish is largely worn to patina, and many markings are softened or absent, reflecting decades of handling, carry, and possible refurbishment. Despite these factors, the pistol retains matching serialized components aside from the scrubbed magazine floorplate, preserving an important element of originality.
Service-worn C96 pistols like this one offer a different but equally compelling form of collector appeal, emphasizing historical presence over cosmetic refinement. The extensive wear, refinished surfaces, and softened markings tell the story of a pistol that likely saw prolonged use during a volatile period in European history. While no longer a high-condition collectible, this Bolo remains mechanically functional and visually evocative, standing as a tangible artifact of the Mauser C96’s long and complex service life. It is well suited for collectors who value authenticity, age, and historical character above finish. -R.E.
