Mauser Model 1896 "Broomhandle" 7.63mm     

 

 

I've had several C96 "Broomhandle" Mauser's over the years. This is one of those sad stories where I bought my first one, which was damn near impecable, and became disenamered over one flaw, sold it "to buy a better one", and have NEVER been able to match what I had.

(Link: Here is the first one, long parted with)

 

Despite that, I have enjoyed each example I have had the honor to possess, however briefly. This one is a very nice specimen, though it is missing the lanyard ring, and appears to have been refinished.

The previous owner said he beleived it was refinished during the Weimer period between the wars. Perhaps, but those pistols are usually stamped with a
"1920" date denoting its post-WW1 use. This one does not have that marking. 

I bought it fully intending to shoot it, and got a good price, so I am not too concerned about the refinishing. Having had numerous "original" examples, I always wanted one that looked nice, was un-freckled, and whose wartime finish wasn't half gone.

This pistol fits that bill perfectly.

No  matter who refinished it, or when, it is all numbers matching, and has an excellent bore, so even without the original finish, it's a fine member of the collection.

It is a fantastic example of dead-end in firearms engineering, evolution and history.

 

                               

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