Post WWI Mauser C96 Bolo Broomhandle 7.63x25mm 3.9″ Semi-Auto Pistol C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,325.00
LSB#: WY250331CF021
Make: Waffenfabrik Mauser, Oberndorf
Model: Mauser C96; Late Postwar Bolo
Serial#: 687632
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1924-1930, C&R
Caliber: 7.63x25mm
Action Type: Semi-Automatic Short-Recoil Pistol with an Internal Magazine fed by stripper clips.
Barrel Length: Approximately 3.9”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a fixed banded blade. The rear sight is a V-notch tangent leaf marked in increments of 50 measured from 50-1000 meters that is pinned to the top of the barrel extension behind the ejection port.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grip panels are two-piece serrated wood. 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 not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished. The frame, lock frame, hammer and bolt are serial-matching. The floorplate and locking block are non-matching. A new barrel has been threaded into the barrel extension.
Bore Condition: The bore is bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some tool chatter with a notably deeper tool mark at the muzzle-end on the left. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6+ out of 10.
Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 96% of its current metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout with a little wear on the trigger guard and a few minor marks. There is scattered minor erosion under the finish with more notable erosion and pitting on the grip frame under the grips. The action shows light operational wear. The screw head is sharp. Remaining markings are clear, what appears to have been an import mark on the bottom of the barrel was almost completely removed with the replacement. Overall, the pistol is in Very Good condition as refinished and not parts-original.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: This pistol comes with a reproduction wood stock/holster, leather harness, and cleaning rod.
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, a number of prominent designs coming from the relatively young nation (it took its modern form in 1871 following the Franco-Prussian War). Among the most iconic was the Mauser Model 1896 (remembered as the C96), designed by the Feederle brothers (Fidel, Friedrich and Josef) whom were close associates of Paul Mauser, the owner of the famous German arms manufacturer, whom worked at Mauser’s experimental workshop. 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 with stripper clips and were chambered for the 7.63x25mm cartridge, although a number were later also chambered for 9mm Luger rounds (several other chamberings exist as well, but these are the two most common by far). 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; this included the Ottoman Empire, Italy, Persia and Austro-Hungary. The gun saw extensive use during WWI and was still in service during WWII albeit to a much more limited degree.
This particular specimen is a late post-WWI “Bolo” variant of the C96, likely produced between 1924-1930. The term “Bolo” is of unknown origin, although a commonly held theory is that it was slang for “Bolshevik” as the gun saw widespread use in the Communist Red Army during the Russian Civil War. These guns, officially designated the Model 1921, were indeed sold to the Bolsheviks by Mauser. They are distinguished by their shorter barrels and smaller grip. This example has been refinished with a new barrel installed, so it looks great for its age. It also comes with a nice reproduction stock/holster rig. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California -Bud
