This is an example of an early production 1930 commercial Broomhandle Mauser pistol. Listed as an early version, this example is actually more of a transition model that still falls into the late 800,000 serial number range and has the un-milled frame rails typical of the late 1930 pistols. These are easily identified by the reinforced chamber, and lack of numbering of all the exposed parts. The chamber is marked "WAFFENFABRIK/MAUSER/OBERNDORF A/N" and left side marked with a single "crown/U" proof mark. Additional "crown/U" proof marked on upper rear of the breech bolt. The right side rear frame is marked " WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER/OBERNDORF A. NECKAR/D.R.P.U.A.P." with the Mauser Banner in a milled panel on the left. Standard inverted "V" fixed front sight and adjustable rear sight graduated from 50-1000 meters and late style 12 groove walnut grips with a lanyard loop and ring on butt. This C-96 has “Made in Germany” in Chinese characters across the left side of the magazine well. This pistol has Chinese made buffalo horn grips and silk tassel. It also has its original Chinese holster. The overall condition reflects a pistol that was carried and used in the fight against the Japanese, the fighting between Chinese Warlords and the Civil War between the Nationalists and the Communists. In addition, these pistols were used in Korea by the Chinese.

 

 

 

Very Cool! My wife actually bought one of the rough imports from China in the 1980's. She saw it at a gun show, thought it was neat and bought it. It had been rechambered-to 9mm. Pretty fun to shoot. Thanks for posting it. Love the vintage holster.

BKW

Great piece. Rich A. in Pa.

Back in the 80's two friends and I had the opportunity to be the first to open several cases of Broomhandles that came direct from China. Most were in rough shape but some were not too bad. Along with the pistols were some holsters and holster stocks. We bought 75 of the Broomhandles and had quite a time getting decades of dried grease off of them. There were several Bolo's, Astra's and Chinese made Broomhandles in the batch we bought. I kept a WW1 C-96 with a holster and the Model 1930 pictured here. It took us years to sell them all but they were a lot of fun.

Nice pistol. Love the holster.