[Wildalaska]

Havin a hankerin fer a Broomhandle (again), I hustled around a found one on GAmerica..paid $750 fer it...

What I gots amazed me...pre war commercial in 7.63

All matching, every number matches right down to the grips!!!! Still some fire blue left on ext, bolt stop and sight! I would rate bluing at 95% and fading, with a few pits here and there but is clearly rust blued as the insides are in the white. Tons of rifleing with a few tiny pits in the bore! Mint bore! mint! Just a touch, a little touch of peening around bolt stop, barrel extension mikes a few thousands out of square so clearly not abused considering its age!

Serial number places it around 1912. The inside was loaded with old grease, looked like it had been there for years. Totally original!

Boy am I stoked...an "unrestored Broomie" for $750!!! I couldnt even wait for the new springs from Wolf I fired off a shot today (have like 30 rounds of ammo and no strippers)...made me want to put on a pith helmet and shoot Fuzzy Wuzzies!!

Next...repro stock, harness, new springs...got some orig ammo on the way, got to find some strippers...then maybe have my bud load some 100 grain soft points and go Caribou hunting!!!

What a gas!! A new gun to study again!!! (like rereading a good book)..

Gaw darn I love old guns!!!!! I like it even more becasue I think I got a steal!

WildwinstonchurchilAlaska

[Tamara]

I had a 1930's commercial Broomhandle with all matching numbers (although it had been re-blued...)

To this day, with the exception of a couple of seriously bucks-up 1911's, that may have been the best fitted and finished gun I've ever owned...

[Preacherman]

Great find! I love the old Broomhandles, but don't have one of my own (yet... :D ). Enjoy!

[WonderNine]

I hope you don't shoot it too much.

Sounds very neat. That's something I would never shoot because of the historical significance.

[Wildalaska]

Like I wanna go to Egypt and dig up mummies! On the camel , broomie on a hrness across my chest...., one of those clarinets that sould like a goose mating trilling in the distance as the moon rises over the pyramids and like some gorgeous dark eyed dusky wench with a jewell in her belly button beckoning to me across the sands, like all of a sudden Bedoins screaming lululululululululululululu charging at me as I bring up the old trusty C96...

Yeah like try to live THAT fantasy with a Glock....

Can you see it...there I am in the projects of Chicago, Glock shoved in my baggy pants as I turn to the homey by my side....

WildimlosinitAlaska

[Preacherman]

Wild, if I ever encounter a goose sounding like
one of those clarinets that sould like a goose mating trilling in the distance
I'm going to check myself into the local funny farm...

:neener: :p :D

[Wildalaska]

I hope you don't shoot it too much.

Gonna pop it off once in a while...its ok to do that as long as the right ammo is used and the springs are new...

WildgunsaremadetobeshotAlaska

[Mike Irwin]

Dang, sounds like you got a really nice gun, Wild.

I've always wanted a Broomhandle, but I've given up on the idea.

I've seen too many bolt fractures to be comfortable with a chunk of metal the size of the bolt coming back at me.

[dsk]

All this excitement, and no pictures? Come on!

[Wildalaska]

Pics will be posted tommorrow!!

MIke those bolt fractures also concern me..I think that is a function of hot ammo and abused guns...rest assured I have examined this one thorougly...as it is all original and "not chinese" I think I am ok...

Anything can fail though witness my 1916 Luger

WildpippipcheerioAlaska

[Tamara]

Besides, what's life without a little excitement? ;)

[HBK]

I'm looking forward to seeing the pics!

[dsk]

I assume you've had a gunsmith check it over to ensure it's in safe working order. That includes a close inspection of the bolt with a magnifier. In any case, we're not talking about a gun you'd abuse or run a gazillon rounds through it, so I wouldn't worry.

[Wildalaska]

Hi we miked out the barrel extension to make sure it handnt been bowed out (its a few thousands off, but thats OK)....under magnifaction the bolt stop is unpeened and no cracks or fracture lines visible. Before it gets shot a lot, new springs go in it...Im also tryiong to figure out a way to "buffer" the bolt stop without compromising function....that will take a while..

Actually, if the recoil spring AND the mainspring are changed out regularly, the bolt itself should not even hit the bolt stop...

WildstudyingAlaska

[Dr.Rob]

No wild, in the streets of Chicago in a baggy seersucker suit I'd much rather be reaching for a New Service Colt.

But I get what you mean about the Mauser.

[mete]

For the newbies this was the first RELIABLE auto pistol ,and it doesn't have all the pins and screws that others have. I love to take them apart and see how it works. It wa s made in 7.63 and 9mm Mauser and 9mm luger. Made famous by Winston Churchill in the Boer War.

[Ky Larry]

I agree you should shoot it, providing it is sound and sturdy. Having a weapon that fine stored away is like being married to Miss America and having seperate bedrooms! What would be the point? FWIW.

[Mike Irwin]

"it doesn't have all the pins and screws that others have."

IIRC it doesn't have any screws at all. It's all pins and interlocking parts. Quite a marvel of mechanical engineering, and quite expensive to make.

Wild, unfortunately, I've seen the bolts crack on guns where the bolts were thoroughly inspected and which didn't appear to be abused at all. A lot of them have shown the "crystalized metal" problem, indicating problems in manufacturing.

If I ever do get one of these, I won't stop at having the bolt inspected, I'll probably have it magnafluxed for peace of mind.

I've shot a variety of Broomhandles over the years, in various sizes in 7.63 and 9mm, and uniformly they have had low numbers for ergonomics and numbers that are just off the freaking scale for the FUN and NEAT factors.

The gunsmith in my home town had one that he brought back from WW II that was about as nice as you could get -- gun was in beautiful shape, wooden holster/stock was there, all the leather was in good shape, and the sundries were there. He was with an inspection and recovery team and found it hidden in a building just after the end of the war. Apparently the owner decided to get rid of it.

[Wildalaska]

Yeah Mike Ive seen that crystallized problem myself (in a Luger :()..

Some risks ya got to take!!

WildboerwarAlaska

[Kharn]

WildAlaska:
You might want to check on that repro stock, I think the Broomhandle is only exempt from the NFA if the stock is the original one that came with the weapon. (The Luger is exempt only if it has the original German stock, so I'd assume its the same for the Broomhandle)
[Edit:]Here's the list of guns exempt from the NFA: http://www.atf.gov/firearms/curios/sec3.htm I'm not sure which model Broomhandle you have, so you'll have to check for yourself.

Kharn

[spacemanspiff]

so your day got better, wild? glad to hear it!

[mete]

Mike , metals by their nature are crystalline so they can't "crystallize" What you see is large grain size due to improper heat treatment. In 1896 metallurgy was still much of an art. We had our own similar problems in the early 1903 Springfields. The broomhandle does have a screw - the grip screw that's all. Maybe the chinese liked it because it was made like a chinese puzzle. Unfortunately just before china shipped '96s here they had destroyed large numbers of them.

[gburner]

Wild,

I'm thinkin' flash hider and scope and carrying it in a down the thigh rig like Han Solo. Just need to find one of them sasquatch to be your wookie friend.:p

[Wildalaska]

Hi Kharn it is unquestioned in my mind that a repro stock is legal with a Broomie....besides this is Alaska, who cares...

Spiff, ya gotta beleive the Broomie made my day better, we are busier than one armed paperhangers.....

WildpicsshortlyAlaska

[Mike Irwin]

Wild,

Yes, I agree some risks need to be taken... :)

The Luger isn't nearly as much of a potential problem because when the works on it let loose they normally go up in the air.


Mete,

Yep, that's why I phrased my reply as I did... ""crystalized metal" problem, indicating problems in manufacturing."

A better way of saying it would be improper heat treating during manufacturing, or forging, whatever, but the point comes across.

In essence, if it breaks, and you can see a frosted crystaline type structure, that's likely why it broke.

[SelfProclaimedExpert]

WildAlaska,

Have you shot the pistol from a rest? I'm interested in their accuracy (bet it's good!)

[curt]

schweeet! I like mine. Used to be 7.63 mauser was hard to find, like $25/20 for FMJ hard to find. Then a few months ago all kinds of stuff showed up. Mine has the original stock which is a hoot to shoot with but it doesn't group as well. Gotta get them strippers, although i can't seem to get mine to work right.

Good on ya! no gun nut should be without a broomie.

[gun-fucious]

toys fer the new tool:
http://www.sksman.com/access/holsters.html

pix:
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=broomhandle+mauser&btnG=Google+Search

i wonder if these could be ever be reborn in a polymer cast frame?

an article on the chinese imports:
http://www.iar-arms.com/mausereview1.htm

[guy sajer]

Sounds like a great buy Wild . Love to see it . Here's mine .
Enjoy .

http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=355272

[Wildalaska]

And so today got my Wolf spring kit...ripped the baby apart, dropped the parts in Kleenbore 10, then whipped out the steel wool and exacto knife and got all of that laquered grease off... cleaned everything up, reassembled, fit the firing pin spring, test fired and alors! Shes a keeper (fer now)..

Ammo on the way and now search for accessories!!!!

here she be...got a small pit right below the safety and a ding on the mag well...but she is sure purty inside! This is a find! I cant beleive its all original!

http://home.gci.net/~wierdalaska/Images/broom3.jpg


cant wait to try to group it..what a **** to load without clips..

WildrudyardkiplingAlaska

[Mike Irwin]

"what a **** to load without clips.."


Hehehehe...

You got that right!

Someone either made a couple of runs, or imported a bunch, of clips a couple of years ago when they were coming in big time in the 1980s.

Try Gun Parts Corp.

[Wildalaska]

Like those SKS man accessories...anyone ever seen one?

WildnewtoyAlaska

[Tamara]

what a **** to load without clips..

Heh. I had one ratty stripper clip for mine. Whenever the gun wasn't actually being shot, I kept it twistie-tied to the trigger guard. There was no way I was going back to trying to load up without it. :uhoh:

[Mike Irwin]

Oh, meant to mention...

Try pushing the rounds down into the magazine with the eraser end of a pencil. One of my former coworkers said that's how he loaded his, and said he got fairly good at it.

[Wildalaska]

Hmm the pencil idea seemms interesting, tried to use a screw gizzie today but no luck..

Tam I can relate to the one ratty stripper clip issue, I can remember when I had in my grubby little hands one M1928 Thompson, a can of 45acp, and WE COULDNT FIND A MAG!!!! Later, I found it and taped it to my friends a** so he wouldnt lose it again.

My loading technique by the way without clips is as follows (Ive only done this in the privacy of gun shop not in public)..

Open bolt
Squat down so that butt crack gets exposed
Put gun between thighs, barrel pointed in safe direction
Curse
Hold bolt back with left hand using thigh pressure to hold gun in place.
Feed rounds in with right hand
Last round in grab gun by reciver with right hnad, control bolt with left and release from thighs
Let bolt go forward, safety off, shoot

WildwouldhavegottenfiveassegaisintogutsbythetimeitsdoneAlaska

[guy sajer]

Try Old Western Scrounger for stripper clips .

Are you using Fiocchi 7.63 ammo ?

Great looking Mauser ! You did good :D

Mitch

[Wildalaska]

Im hording some surplus...forgot to add to eqation after shooting..

Field strip, clean with windex.........

WildcorrosiveAlaska

[4v50 Gary]

The C96 is the one screw and sometimes one pin gun (pin is for the adjustable rear sight). What a wonderful design and Ruger could probably make these again (investment cast all those interlocking jigsaw parts) if the market supported it.

I have one and it dates to about 1899 (slabside, post-Italian contract). Mine has the large ring hammer and early safety.

BTW, when I was last in Canada, I disassembled one for destruction. My gunsmith friend was given it by the police for destruction. I couldn't destroy it but I took it apart so the frame could be smashed.:banghead: I couldn't stay in the room and I wanted to cry when I heard the hammer fall. Oh, the humanity!:cuss: Senseless gun laws.

[spacemanspiff]

Open bolt
Squat down so that butt crack gets exposed
Put gun between thighs, barrel pointed in safe direction
Curse
Hold bolt back with left hand using thigh pressure to hold gun in place.
Feed rounds in with right hand
Last round in grab gun by reciver with right hnad, control bolt with left and release from thighs
Let bolt go forward, safety off, shoot
that oughta be interesting and disturbing to watch at the range. :D

[Dr.Rob]

Did you see that Chinese bandolier?

Can you imagine needing 120 rds of 7.63 as a STANDARD load?

Oh wait thats 120+10 in your pistol. 130 rds.

That's a lot of bullets.

[Route 66]

I believe I saw C96 stripper clips at Sarco's ad in Shotgun News.

[guy sajer]

Wild
No disrespect to your obvious knowledge of firearms , but are you sure your surplus is 7.63 Mauser and not 7.62 Tokarev ? I'm sure you know they will chamber and fire interchangeably . But that Tok ammo is much too hot .
Only reason I asked was that I've been watching surplus ammo for about 20 yrs and don't recall ever seeing any 7.63 . Hate to see any damage done to your fine pistol . :) What is the country of origin ?

Thanks
Mitch

And thanks for the Windex tip . Never tried that .

[gun-fucious]

ding!:
http://www.northridgeinc.com/handgun_parts.htm
10 Stripper Clips-Mauser C96 Pistol
10 Rnd Stripper Clips for C96/Bolo Pistol. Used Good Condition. $10.00 SN-82
Add
45 Cal Full Moon Clip for SW/Colt Set of 5 $5.00 SN-83
Add
French 9m/M MAB Pistol Mag Pouch
Dual Mag Pouch OD Canvas $14.95 SN-814
Add
Makarov 8 Rd. Magazine $14.95 SN-890
Add
C96 Broom Handle Brass Stripper Clip
Original C96 Broom Handle Mauser 10 rd Stripper Clip $3.00 SN-1142
Add
C96 Broom Handle Steel Stripper Clip
Original C96 Broom Handle Mauser 10 rd Stripper Clip $2.50 SN-1143
Add
C96 Broom Handle Alum. Stripper Clip
Original C96 Broom Handle Mauser 10 rd Stripper Clip $2.00 SN-1144A
Add
Tokarev Pistol Stripper Clip Pouch
Each Pocket holds 1 Ten rd Stripper Clip. Brand New $6.95 TOK-2

heres a cool site:
http://www.northwest-denture.com/mauser1896/pe3.htm

[Johnny Guest]

Have you been to your tailor yet? I mean, you GOTTA have a khaki bush jacket with the two special little pockets to hold clips for your Mauser. (See photo at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0786708166/ref=lib_rd_ss_TFCV/104-7300297-2877519?v=glance&s=books&vi=reader&img=1#reader-link

This shows Young Winston complete with his holstered Mauser. The ammo pouches are above the breast pockets and below the epaulets.
:D

Best,
Johnny

[22luvr]

I lived for a year in Alaska (Anchorage, 1969) so I'm an honorary "sourdough."

However, by the timbre' of your posts, y'all got cabin fever and need to go on a vacation.

Let's see.....Hawaii? Mexico? Florida? Arizona?

Your posts just busted me up. Your enthusiasm for your new toy is catching.

Would I like to shoot one? Oh yeh; that thing looks like FUN. :D

BTW, what is the caliber for that thing? I used to own a Mauser garrison rifle which was beautifully crafted. I'll be the broomhandle is nicely constructed as well.

[Wildalaska]

No disrespect to your obvious knowledge of firearms , but are you sure your surplus is 7.63 Mauser and not 7.62 Tokarev ? I'm sure you know they will chamber and fire interchangeably

Hi its Tok, but light Tok (1475 out of a Tok)...so its just for the "baloon going up" until the S&B actual 30 mauser gets here

Have you been to your tailor yet?

Nice! thanks for the link!

Just ordered some strippers from Gun Parts Corp (we were ordering stuff anyway..Im gonna call Northridge becasue they got not only strippers but Thompson 1928 bolts and need one of them.

WildboerwarAlaska

[Route 66]

I have been amazed at the number of responses to this thread. I thought that the Broom had been put away on the back of the shelf to be forgotten about and talked of as a distant memory. So it has made me dig down into my rather small treasure chest and come out with my almost forgotten but always intriguing retailer marked Broomhandle.

This little beauty is s/n 36xxx and is called an "Early Small Ring Hammer" according to the definitive work "System Mauser". Its s/n is even listed on page 92 of that work as being representative of that designation.

She has a fair to good bore with clear rifling but some light pitting in the lands and grooves. All numbered parts match including the grip panels. She is losing some bluing and it's replaced with patina. She also has a slight ding on the magazine well on the reverse side. According to my references the s/n indicates a manufacture date of 1902/03 (a hundred years old now!). It is also considered a transitional piece because some later s/n's had the earlier style large ring hammer. Sources say that initial sales of the pistol were flat so the factory jumped ahead in s/n's to imply that sales were higher than they really were.

The difference in color of the lettering is that I touched up with grease pencil so the color doesn't quite match to the older grease pencil marking.
Anyway your opinion please.............I'm thinking of letting this one go so I can finance a more modern arm (like a Kimber Ultra CDP or such). Do you think there are buyers out there for it? Idea on value? Your comments are welcome. Thanks for listening!

[Route 66]

A close-up of of the milled panel.

[Mike Irwin]

Hey Alaska,

You got me jealous of your new toy, so I just had to go out and buy this today...

http://www.apollo-computers.com/ebay/images/rem811.jpg



MikeIgotmea300SavageRemingtonModel81semi-autoriflesoI'mhappyasapigincrapIrwin :D

[Tamara]

Anyway your opinion please.............I'm thinking of letting this one go so I can finance a more modern arm (like a Kimber Ultra CDP or such). Do you think there are buyers out there for it? Idea on value? Your comments are welcome.

Oh...

Lust...

Pant...

Drool...



Huh? Sorry, you were saying something? ;)

[Route 66]

OK now control yourself, better yet, don't control yourself and let me know what you think!

;)

[gun-fucious]

Tam is gonna get another gun!
Tam is gonna get another gun!


:evil:

[gun-fucious]

check out
http://www.gunsamerica.com/search.cgi
and enter broom handle

theres about 20 listed
from 450-5.5k bucks

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976373795.htm

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976368089.htm
Mauser 1930 Broomhandle. 7.63 5¼. UNIQUE! Commemorative fully engraved and silver plated (1938 orig mfg) pistol. L side inscribed; N Africa Campaign. Afrika Korps. 2,1941-5,1943. Picture of Panzer tank and map of N Africa on side of mag well. Nazi palm and swastika symbol on front. Tank and Junkers Ju87 Stuka dive bomber on R side

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976340384.htm

[Gordon]

I have a Red 9 Broom with serialized stock for 30 years+ which I paid about $500 for in 70% condition from a relative! About 20 years ago I had a smith who specializes in such guns examine all parts , put a NEW locking block in , replace all springs and rust Blue . It cost about $900 1983 dollars and came back looking like it left the factory! I was gonna(those famous words) put on an Oyster Bay detachable 20 round mag kit But I did't getaroundtoit. :( I used this gun before it was restored to slaughter animals (sheep) at 30-50 yds and filed the sight to hit dead on at that range with Geco Ball(Hirtenberger RWS) and Uzi Black tip ball. I was looking to bust thru skull and that it did. It would bulge their eyes out with two small trickles of blood from entrance and exit wound. It still shot well at 25 yds last time out at range a couple years ago but it is my prime show and tell gun. Seems as though my distant relatives kayaked thru Central America with it from California! It was used for defense and food gathering . They wrote a book about their(husband and wife) adventure but the book was loaned and not returned years ago . Their name was Lamb. It sleeps in safe but my 27 year old Geopyshsicist son has his eye on it,. I won't give it to him until he gets a more secure place than the Hawaiin ghetto he lives in doing his Doctorate. I own a Tok in 7.63 but don't have much truck in that caliber. A light 9mm bullet flies just as fast as the fastest 7.63 bullet. :cool:

[Wildalaska]

Gimme another one! Another one..

WildcreatedamonsterAlaska

[SelfProclaimedExpert]

Anybody know a smith who does much work on these, and is still in business?

[Erik]

"...one of those clarinets that sould like a goose mating trilling in the distance..."

I love it.

Congrats on a fine find, indeed, from what it sounds like.

[Wildalaska]

Anybody know a smith who does much work on these, and is still in business?

What do you need done?

WildenthusednadenthralledAlaska

[SelfProclaimedExpert]

Well, nothing yet. But the existance of someone skilled at rebarrelling or sleaving (and their price list) may affect my decision of which gun to buy. (There are some good deals on nice Mausers with poor bores.)

[Wildalaska]

HmmMentor Arms is gone. there is a place in Redmond WA that does it let me find the name.

WildfountofknowledgeAlaska

[gburner]

Wild,

Is this beastie gonna be your daily CC piece or your house gun?:D

[gun-fucious]

oh! Oh! Mr Kotter, Mr Kotter!

Is Tok 7.63 good for defence from irrate Kodiak Bear?

;):p ;) :p ;) :p ;)

[Wildalaska]

Is this beastie gonna be your daily CC piece or your house gun

Dude ya just wait, the acessory hunti is vigourous and Im gonna stuff my fat bod into period accoutrements...

The relining gpeople are Redmonds in WA, 509/826-5512

Any of you guys see those English made cases for these guns?

I need the proper Enfield now....

WildbreakermorantAlaska

[SelfProclaimedExpert]

Thanks, WildcontactnumbersavailableuponrequestAlaska.

[Hand_Rifle_Guy]

You guys are all very silly. It's loads of fun to watch.

Tamara, contol yourself, dear. Your enthusiaism is showing. :p

WildstripperlessAlaska, strippers for my Shansei Arsenal .45 Broomhandle do not exist, and I've only got one Springfield stripper-clip for 5-at-a-time loading. Before that, however, it was a single-loading proposition. My technique was to hold the bolt open with my left hand with two fingers, with my thumb braced against the back of the grip, sorta hypodermic style. With the suspended weight of the pistol pivoting off of my thumb, my fingers hooked on the bolt ears held it open firmly with a surpisingly stable grip. Using my right hand to stuff rounds in the top was fairly easy at that point, without requiring the use of a third hand to stabilize anything. Not super-fast, but not 5-assegais-slow either, more like only two. 'Bout as fast as loading a stripper clip. When the gun's full, grab the grip with the right hand and let go with the left so the bolt runs forward. At this point, commence to make like Lawrence of Arabia.

This works pretty well, really. Try it. My .45 is a heavy sumbuck, but I think a fullsize Mauser ought to weigh enough for easy loading. And hey, no squatting like an un-suspendered plumber!

Ooh, one other bit. Strippers for Steyr-Hahns, and the strippers that come with CZ-52/PPsh-41 ammo (Which DOESN'T go in your Mauser!) also fit, if they're handier for some reason.

Mike, that's about the shweetest M-81 I've seen in a while. I'm jealous, and I've got two of the silly things. Nice gun. Go read the M-8 thread over in rifles.

HandI'lltrythissignaturebit_Rifle_welcometotheBroomhandlebandwagonGuy

[gburner]

Lawrence of Arabia carried a .455 Webley, IIRC.;)

[Wildalaska]

Lawrence of Arabia carried a .455 Webley, IIRC.

Dude dont be destroying my fantasy! Right now Im laying on a dune next to Victor McLaughlin, while Boris Karloff whimpers back under the date palms!!!

WildfleainmyburnooseAlaska

[gburner]

Wild,

I kinda pictured you with Gene Wilder and Marty Feldman in the 'Last Remake of Beau Geste'.:p

Was at the gunshow in Richmond, VA today and was in German pistol heaven....
more broomies than you could count from
$375.00 to 3,750.00, Lugers out the ying
and one table had Nazi Walther P-38's
by the crate for $425.00 each. I was leaving a slobber trail.

[Wildalaska]

One of the things that gobbles the big enchilada up here in Alaska is the paucity of gun shows...sigh...ya think a Board Bud like gburner would have brought me sumpin...

O god Im surrounded by dervishes, Winston toss me a stripper!!

WildandnotacurvaceousoneAlaska

[Keith]

No desert country around Alaska, but I think you could drive out past Chickaloon and get a fairly credible imitation of the Khyber Pass. You'll need somebody that looks like Ronald Coleman... and maybe some of the local Samoans could pass as overweight Pathans. For camels, you'll have to rent some musk-ox from that farm in Palmer and shave them... or maybe slip some high-octane pot (ask the Samoans!) to a cow moose.
Yes, it could be done! Let me know when you're ready and I'll play the part of the abused water-boy.

YOU may talk o' gin an' beer
When you're quartered safe out 'ere,
An' you're sent to penny-fights an' Aldershot it;
But if it comes to slaughter
You will do your work on water,
An' you'll lick the bloomin' boots of 'im that's got it.

KeithGungaDinAlaska