Taku Naval Dockyard China C96 Copy 7.63x25mm 30 Mauser Semi-Auto Pistol C&R

SOLD FOR: $6875

LSB#: 210423DW13

Make: Taku Naval Dockyard, Tianjin, Northern China

Model: C96 Broomhandle Type I with Large Ring Hammer

Serial Number: 408

Year of Manufacture: 1925-1928 (About 1,000 Type I Panel Frames were made between 1925 and 1928)

Caliber: 7.65mm Mauser

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic with Internal Magazine Fed by Stripper Clips

Markings: The top of the barrel’s chamber ring is marked “TAKU NAVAL / DOCKYARD”. The top rear of the barrel extension, the top of the bolt, the top of the bolt block, the right side of the trigger, the rear faces of the hammer, lock frame and frame, the inside of the floorplate, the left of the follower, the sear arm, the sear, the rocker plunger, the safety and the bolt locking block are marked “408”. The sear spring/hammer pivot is marked “08”. The inside surfaces of the grip panels are also marked “408”. There are Chinese characters arranged in a circular pattern on the left side of the magazine with seven characters arranged in an arc above the circle.

Barrel Length: 5 ½”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel that resembles an inverted “V” when viewed from the rear. The rear sight is a “V” notched sliding elevator tangent sight marked from “50” to “1000”.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece serrated wood. The grips have light handling wear with a few scattered light nicks and scuffs. The serrations are well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blued, the trigger is Strawed and some parts are Polished Bright

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered minor erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 99% of its current metal finish. There is some scattered erosion under the finish, most notable on the bolt-face and under the grips. Otherwise, there is only minor operational wear and light handling marks. The screw heads is sharp and the markings are clear. Some of the markings may have been re-cut, most likely the chamber-ring marking. Overall, this handgun appears Fine-plus and rates in about Good-Very Good condition as restored due to the follower (see Mechanics).

Mechanics: The follower does not rise all the way up, getting stuck at the transition between the frame and the barrel extension. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. This pistol has a new style safety that can be engaged or released without moving the hammer. 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: None

Our Assessment: The Chinese were particularly enthused with the Mauser C96 “Broomhandle” in 7.63 mm Mauser, a gun that could be used as a traditional pistol or, when fitted with its detachable stock, as a short-barreled carbine. The cartridge was potent and the guns very reliable. Best of all, as handguns had been specifically exempted from the Arms Embargo of 1919, the C96s could be legally sold by any of the countries (except Germany) that had signed or supported that legislation. From 1916 to 1936, about 300,000 such Mausers made their way into China. Some were surplus from World War I; the majority were newly manufactured, some of which were clones made by the Spanish firms of Astra and Beistegui Hermanos. In 1916, China was home to 29 arsenals, about 8 of which had the machinery to produce armaments. As the warlords’ need for weapons grew, additional facilities were added and existing plants were enlarged. The Hanyang, Arsenal, the Taku Naval Dockyard Arsenal and the Taiyuan (Shanxi) Arsenal were some of the largest. This pistol was made by the Taku Naval Dockyard Arsenal. The early Type I had a milled panel frame with arsenal markings on the right side and the Type II, made from 1928 to 1933, was a Flatside pistol with markings on the left side. About 1,000 Type I pistols were made. This Type I pistol has been restored and appears in about Fine condition with 99% of its current finish remaining. Its overall condition rates Good-Very Good due to the follower sticking at the seam between the frame and barrel extension. With only 1,000 of these having been made, we expect the collectors of C96 Broomhandles and collectors of pre-WWII Chinese weapons to be very interested in this pistol. Please see our photos and good luck!