[mgj6303]

Yep...the lucky bastard did. And he has come to me looking for info...but of course I know jack about them..

Well...here are some pics...I dont know how long they will last but here you go

Im pretty sure its a C96 Bolo 7.63 mm. But thats about all I know. I would like to know where its from etc.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/strungout96/Dscf2953.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/strungout96/Dscf2956.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/strungout96/Dsc_0070.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/strungout96/Dsc_0073.jpg

[Rob1035]

that's an awesome find:eek: :)

[mgj6303]

yeah i know...im extreamly jealous.

[Onmilo]

It looks like one of the Chinese surplus Bolo pistols that were imported in a fairly large quantity back about ten years ago.
Look hard and you will probably find a small importers mark somewhere on the gun, bottom of the barrel is a good place to start.
I'm betting the bore has seen its better days?

These could be had for $100.00 to $150.00 at one time.
Today the parts alone make them worth about $300.00 retail.
The pistol is mismatched and probably rebuilt by the Chinese several times over the course of the guns useful service life, they were quite popular with the Militia and warlord armies.
Nice find none the less.

[wardog]

Sorry, I don't know jack about them either, except that I want one.

Nice find!

[boing]

Found?

[HighVelocity]

That's a pretty big item to be lost and found. I'm very curious about the circumstances that resulted in this find.

[CAnnoneer]

found while moving in or moving out?

Gee, all I found was burned-out lightbulbs. :rolleyes:

[Crosshair]

DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM. I cleaned out my grandpas house and I never found anything like that.:(

[SCarruth]

Maybe he can use it to make one of these.

[GunnySkox]

What's that other grooved-doodad next to what appears to be the hammer at the back of the gun? In the right-rear 3/4 picture, it's next to what I assume is the hammer, on the far side of it.

~GnSx

[Manedwolf]

It looks like one of the Chinese surplus Bolo pistols that were imported in a fairly large quantity back about ten years ago.
Look hard and you will probably find a small importers mark somewhere on the gun, bottom of the barrel is a good place to start.
I'm betting the bore has seen its better days?

These could be had for $100.00 to $150.00 at one time.
Today the parts alone make them worth about $300.00 retail.
The pistol is mismatched and probably rebuilt by the Chinese several times over the course of the guns useful service life, they were quite popular with the Militia and warlord armies.
Nice find none the less.


If it's a Chinese one, I'd not fire it. I'm pretty sure I'd heard somewhere about those having metallurgy issues?

[Onmilo]

The "doo-dad" to the left of the hammer is the safety.
If I remember correctly, push it forward to engage the safety and pull it back when cocking the hammer to take the gun off safe.

The model 1930 C96 had an improved safety that could be engaged or release regardless if the hammer was at rest or fully cocked.

That pictured pistol is genuine German Mauser production.
The Chinese could never replicate the German markings and make them look just right and the proofmarks on the bolt are all German though the bolt from a German production gun could be fitted to a Chinese made pistol.

Actual Chinese factory production C96 copies are really quite good and safe to shoot, though most of them are in pretty sorry shape.
Quite a few guns were rebarrelled or relined after they got to the USA and they make relatively low cost fun guns for those lucky enough to own one..

The suspect quality Chinese C96 copies are those that were made by small mom and pop, back of the hut operations and they are really apparent when compared to a real C96 pistol.

[Route 66]

According to the book "System Mauser" your bolo Mauser with s/n 559,500 is called a "Late Postwar Bolo" and probably produced from the early to mid- 1920s. Many brooms were exported to the Far East and it is certainly possible that's where yours came from. I would definitely have it inspected by a competent gunsmith before firing due to age and possible replacement parts. I have seen within the past year or so new 7.63 Mauser ammunition for sale at the Indy 1500 show. I also understand that the 7.62 x 25 Tokarev round will fit and fire but is dangerous to do so because of excessive pressures. Have fun and enjoy the puzzle but under no circumstances reassemble the "locking piece" backwards or you may never get it apart again!

[Manedwolf]

According to the book "System Mauser" your bolo Mauser with s/n 559,500 is called a "Late Postwar Bolo" and probably produced from the early to mid- 1920s. Many brooms were exported to the Far East and it is certainly possible that's where yours came from. I would definitely have it inspected by a competent gunsmith before firing due to age and possible replacement parts. I have seen within the past year or so new 7.63 Mauser ammunition for sale at the Indy 1500 show. I also understand that the 7.62 x 25 Tokarev round will fit and fire but is dangerous to do so because of excessive pressures. Have fun and enjoy the puzzle but under no circumstances reassemble the "locking piece" backwards or you may never get it apart again!

You can find the Fiocchi ammo for that at some places, and I'd be surprised if Old Western Scrounger didn't have some, too. Also plenty of handloaders.

No need to risk blowing up an old gun in your hand with the wrong ammo. The Tokarev, according to everything I've read, WILL sooner or later blow up the gun.

[mgj6303]

Thanks for the info guys. He knew he had a gun somewhere in his house...but he didnt know where/what it was so he really didnt care about it.

The question he really wants to know of course is how much its worth?

[RIGHT WING NUT]

Thanks for the info guys. He knew he had a gun somewhere in his house...but he didnt know where/what it was so he really didnt care about it.

The question he really wants to know of course is how much its worth?

From what you tell me it would seem only fair to say...your find..your gun...your money if it is sold.

Maybe you could cut him in on it, as you are doing the foot work to find its value and will probably be the one to sell it if it is sold.

[Coronach]

I keep having this dream where I buy a house and find a hidden cache of guns and ammo. The better the dream, the bigger the cache.

Mike