Great information on collecting. When I was a young kid in the late 60's - early 70 or so my dad had a C96 Broomhandle Mauser 712 (Schnellfeuer). My Mom had a Navy model Luger 6'' barrel with extra mags (nonmatching I'm sure) and a snail drum that of course did not match the gun. If they only would have known what those guns would be worth today, I'm sure they would not have been sold so many years ago.

I also collect broom handles, the guy I took the handle from was furious he could’ve sweep the floor anymore 😂

Had one a few years ago. Beautiful pistol, fascinating design but it couldn't hit the broadside of a barn from the inside due to being shot out. Sold it for more than I paid for it. Don't really regret owning it but was really glad to palm it off on someone else.

Wow! This video definitely taught me what I needed to know when purchasing my first model. Thank you for the information, sir. I love your collection. I have always wanted one of these since I was a kid, they are the best out of the era pistols, in my opinion. Nambu, Luger, C1911, C96 Broomhandle, etc. These were the ones that stood out to me.

Nice collection 👍

I wish Mauser would make a limited edition of this iconic weapon.

Another great video, Thanks!

Sir, your C-96 video on a buyer's first Broomhandle is superb. Your video is most definitely aimed at those fortunate enough to have the financial resources needed for the purchase of a Broomhandle, in the condition, and with matching parts. There is a sizable number of C-96 enthusiasts not able to open our billfold for such a wonderful treasure as a pristine C-96. In the late 1980's there was a flood of Broomhandle Pistols, including the look-a-like Astra 900,that flooded the gun market as used, fair condition, C-96 Pistols from China. I was able to purchase one of these "fair" conditioned pistols at $129.95 plus a 4-dollar shipping fee. Fair Condition as advertised was a generous claim. My BOLO arrived as described, rust/patina was its cover then. Even after a thorough cleaning, which helped somewhat, and after a little reading research on this legendary firearm, I discovered I was missing a "safety latch". Lettering on the frame was still legible, but that damn patina made me sick. The bore still had a small bit of rifling left, but precious little, and enough I could safely cap off a few rounds, just to say I shot it. The grips that came with it had seen better days, years ago! I've never loved ugly ass patina guns, period! I had a matt black finish applied, and new counterfeit hard rubber floral grips to replace the nightmare grips. To the pure collectors of the world they would could me for the refinish, but to me, I took an old rusty-patina legendary pistol, with a huge historical past and made it new looking. The Chinese Nationalist of the 1930's considered the C-96 Pistol a prestigious handgun to own and carry. Many historical pictures of Kuomintang Officers carrying the Broomhandle into combat are available for viewing on the internet on the Chinese Civil War. Sorry for the length sir, but there are other buyers who have done what I did to their C-96, for collecting or resale. My BOLO is like a family member to be past down at the appropriate time! It is my bedside table insurance for prowling booger-bears!

Epic pistol Great review, love your presentation.👍🇺🇲 New Hampshire

As someone with a rather great passion for Han Solo's DL-44 blaster, I would personally love nothing more than to one day acquire a fireable, pre-war commercial C96 and keep it as-is! I've already got a MGC C96 and a steel replica C96 to make Star Wars blasters out of, so the real firearms can stay exactly how they are.

Good info, Thank You

Fantastico e instructivo video. Una maravilla las C96 que expones. Espero ver pronto un video sobre las Astra 900. Saludos

I bought one many years ago (about 40 years ago or more). Someone nichol plated in 30 Mauser but barrel was bulged so I had it relined in 9mm. It was all matching with nice grips. It was pre N S (new safety). It was neat I did a trade with it about 20 years ago for a BEAUTIFUL UNFIRED MAS 45 22 lr rifle with the original sling and factory tag. Still I miss my C96, it was pretty NEAT and a piece of HISTORY.😁

Excellent and informative video on purchasing your first Mauser C96 Broomhandle! One thing that is often overlooked when looking for originality of the guns are the lanyard rings, which are often removed or replaced with a key ring. An original C96 lanyard ring has a unique shape and is hard to replicate due to how closely fitted the ends are. From my experience, disassembling the pistol can be risky if the previous owners and seller have never took it apart before. A couple of times, I've experienced broken sub frames from disassembly due to the previous owners neglect of the pistol, leading to returns. Also, assess the condition of the metal under the wood grips, as often there is some pitting and/or oxidation under. Thank you for creating this video and sharing your knowledge. I hope another video like this can be made for Lugers in the future.

Thank you for your help! I am still leaning towards a Red 9 for my first C96 even though you have taught me better and I know better but as my wife says I tend to be hard headed!

Thanks just got one, serial number 5000s. Original finish.

I'm looking specifically for a Red 9 with all matching numbers in decent but "patina'd" condition. Oh and I'm broke 😂

Hello, i fell in love with the C96 back when i was a teen and now i'm old enough to actually go after one, but i'd like to read up beforehand, is there a nice book you wouldrecommend

I'm generally a Luger fanboy that has dabbled a bit in wartime Walthers. Got two WW1 era P.08's, one 4 inch and one 8. Also got a P.04 Navy Luger as well as an early production Swiss Luger with dish toggles. I was pretty satisfied with that so I decided to pick up a 1942 dated P38 made by Walther as well as a RZM marked PPK. Now I'm finally getting around to Mauser pistols, which is weird seeing as these were my absolute favorite as a kid; not quite sure why I put it off so long. I'm gonna start with a Red 9 first, probably, then get a large ring hammer slab sided and finally an early production cone-hammer. If I'm still not satisfied I might also get either a long or short magazine variant, or both. Seems there is quite a bit of different ones out there for collectors to pick apart, just like with Lugers.

Very nice sir

This man is the final boss of german pistols.

I was very lucky to be given one of these by my Grandad. He claims he shot a german with it but he didn't serve and only time he would have met a german would have been on holiday so who knows. I get stick off my mate about the Broomhandle though! He claims it isn't a proper gun but I know its a classic!

huh Fireplace guy had a channel all along!

I’ve built one using parts I bought off eBay, private sale and a gun shop. Only two parts match and I love it so much

I purchased 3 broomhandlesin the later 80s and early 90s when the Chinese sold over 500 k bromhsndles.

I wouldn't mind a refinished C96 with mixed parts as a gun to just shoot, it'd be a lot cheaper and I wouldn't have to worry about putting wear on a nice and mint antique.

Do you offer an online or in person service where you could review a few guns I have? I have a couple original broomhandles with original wooden holsters and some lugers and other OLD guns?

I've yet to find out any info on my mauser, the hammer, the ring, the markings, point to pre ww1 civilian. However, I have an orginal smooth wood grip. It has zero ribs, but has the orginal serials stamped inside. I have yet to find this in any books

I'm a big fan of Mauser. Already have a K98 and an M1914/34 pistol. I just recently bought a WW1 C96 that is in 7.62. I think it is what you might call a 'pre-war commercial' but it looks like it has some German army markings. I'll still have to inspect it when it gets here; I also have a P.08 that was made before the war and has regiment markings. I know that the German army had a shortage of pistols during the war and at a certain point contracted out a bunch of guns to the commercial market, many of which were these 7.62 variants. In fact, the reason the 'Red 9' exists is in order to avoid confusion between those and the 9mm contract they received later in the war.

My dad recently purchased a C96 that we dated to 1905 based on the serial number (85665). I am a bit concerned because his stock doesn't have a serial number. You mentioned in another video that some pistols didn't have serial numbers on the stock. Should my dad's pistol have a serial on its stock? thank you!

"It doesn't have to be an expensive gun, but it needs to be a righteous gun." - Leonardo Antaris, 2021

Hello, I have a C96 pre war commercial in my possession, but some interesting notes, the bolt has electropenciled serial number, and the front rounded edge if the magazine has a unit mark that has sadly faded, my mid is boggled, but im thinking maybe weimar era? Have you seen something similar?

Thank you very much for the video! I have a 9 mm caliber c96 with a five-digit serial number (without red 9), with a viewfinder up to 1000 meters. the bluing looks original and almost all the numbers match. There are two things I don't understand on my c96 that I didn't see on any other: a) The front sight is mounted on a ring at the end of the barrel and is shaped like an old Luger (shark wing) and, b) the side of the "U" with two crowns above appears an "N" with one crown above. Can you give me information about my C96? If you want, I can send you photos. Thank you very much!

Strange my flatside does have a numbered floorplate and the stock iron is not numbered .but it is much earlier production

Where can I find one such as you suggest and how much?

I want one

If I lived in the US I think I would want a custom made one. A darkish blue colour with a white star on each side in reference to cave storys in game sprite. To me the Polar Star is a a broom handle and not some kind of revolver.

can we shoot 7.62x25mm tokarev ammo in C96 Broomhandle?

Ha, bold of you to assume I can even afford one in the first place 😌😌😌😌😌✨

What's the best most affordable way to get one?

I have a flatside large ring . i see you do too.

Very good factual website for collectors & Firearm Historians. CMR CLASSIC FIREARMS

i own 13 red nines and one 9mm schnellfeuer ss marked

👍

It's William Dafoe!!!!!!!!

👌👌👌👌👌🙂👍🏻

Hi i have c96 20shot morethem 100 years.

Hi dear

That c96 toy assortment is weak! :)

What the hell caliber is it nobody will tell you that Jerry Mcdonogh

I have a PO8 Luger ,original with swastcas on it given to me by my father coming from Dahau where he served four years as prisoner of war ! If interested let me know