Mauser Commercial C96 Broomhandle 7.63x25mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1915
SOLD FOR: $1,533.99
LSB# LSB251020XX002
Make: Waffenfabrik Mauser, Oberndorf A/N Germany
Model: C96; Wartime Commercial
Serial#: 225785
Year of Manufacture: Circa, 1915
Caliber: 7.63x25mm Mauser (.30 Mauser)
Action Type: Semi-Automatic Short-Recoil Pistol with an Internal Magazine fed by stripper clips.
Barrel Length: 5 1/2”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed by the muzzle, the rear face is serrated. The rear sight is a “V”-notch tangent leaf marked 50-1000 in increments of 50m up to 500m and then increments of 100m up to 1000m.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip panels are two-piece serrated wood. The interior of each panel is marked “785”. There is a lanyard ring fixed to the butt-strap. The grips have even light handling wear with some scattered nicks and scratches. The serrations are well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 6/10.
Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas and wear around the stock-slot consistent with the use of a stock. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is infrequent minor surface oxidation with some more notable oxidation under the grip panels. The action shows operational wear. The screw head is lightly tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, the pistol is in Very Good condition.
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: None.
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. Among the most iconic was the Mauser Model 1896 (remembered as the C96), designed by the Feederle brothers (Fidel, Friedrich and Josef) who were close associates of Paul Mauser. 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 via stripper clips. Most C96s were chambered for the 7.63x25mm cartridge and a number were later also chambered for 9mm Luger rounds (other chamberings exist, but these are the two most common). 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 including 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 more limited degree. -R.E.
