C96 Mauser stock!

Michael Tinker Pearce

Michael Tinker Pearce

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Some time back I found a company selling un-issued surplus Chinese stocks for the C96. It's a little rougher that these pictures indicate, with some dings in the wood and old creeping rust here and there on the metalwork. The leather is old, but I don't think it's that old. Old enough to be a real PITA to remove... It was sold as being for a Bolo, but my full-size commercial gun fits just fine. The connector needed de-burring before it would properly mate with the handle, but a few minutes with a file took care of that. The interior is a bit rough-hewn, which might lend credence to it being surplus; most of the reproductions I've seen are better. Authentic or not, the ATF doesn't object*, so who am I to argue?

mqviaPH.jpg Arz8OCp.jpg
I loaded a box of ammo for it (it's a .30) and I think a range trip is very much in order tomorrow...
I'm contemplating refinishing it with a darker stain to match the pistol grips.

* I've done my own research and am satisfied as to the legality of using this stock, but it would be prudent to do your own research or even query the ATF directly before mounting this or any other 'reproduction' stock you your own pistol.
 
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indy1919a4 said:
Very Nice, is your wood stock, is the word "Mauser" stamped..??? Also with the pistol inside the wooden stock are you able to close the lid with the lid snapping shut if you have the safety off??? Or must you place the safety on to close the lid.??
Click to expand...

Safety has to be on. Not stamped Mauser- it's Chinese production. It was imported as un-issued surplus, but if I had to guess I'd say it was made in the 1980's when the Chinese built a run of guns to use up their remaining frames. It is made to the original pattern, which is good enough for ATF, which specifies a '...and original or close copy of an original' as being good enough.
 
How firm does the stock attach to the pistol grip?? For example I have seen a couple original ones.. and where as the stock attached firmly to the stock with a solid clip, there is still a little side to side wiggle while it is locked on.

I do love the simplicity of the leather attachment.
 
A couple of tips if you refinish the stock.
The wood is most likely what is referred to as Chu Wood. It’s actually Catalpa native to China. If sanded it will get fuzzy. It does not take oil base stains very well, if it takes any at all. Water base stains will work but Alcohol base dye will give you your best results.
To get the color of the pistol grips, you will need a dark brown and maybe a little black.
If you strip 5he old finish off, do not sand the stock. Bone it with a hard wood dowel or an old smooth rib bone. This will compress the surface making it more resistance to dings and dents, and give you a smooth surface.
The stock on this SKS is Chu Wood. I refinished it about 30 years ago.

image.jpg
 
Michael Tinker Pearce said:
[

I'm contemplating refinishing it with a darker stain to match the pistol grips.
Click to expand...

Of course you do you, you must want things like you want.. I think the stock looks fine now.. Its not like it is hurt.. Considering the cost of these I would sooner get one that is darker to replace it. Personally I like the 2 tone woods.. Then when you are in a darker mood, pull out the Darker wood stock.

Do not know the Quality, but they have them over on e-bay in the 50 dollar range..
 
indy1919a4 said:
How firm does the stock attach to the pistol grip?? For example I have seen a couple original ones.. and where as the stock attached firmly to the stock with a solid clip, there is still a little side to side wiggle while it is locked on.

I do love the simplicity of the leather attachment.
Click to expand...

There's a bit of wiggle, pretty much like the German ones. I don't notice it when I am shooting, fortunately.

I've had it out to the range, and I gotta say, this is a much better carbine than it is a pistol! I was having some trouble seeing the rear sight properly at first, resulting in this 25-yard group-
UYerJjG.jpg
Once I learned to get my cheek-weld far back on the stock things improved, and double-taps at seven and ten yards were Big Fun!
SQYiYNV.jpg
 
Michael Tinker Pearce said:
...... Authentic or not, the ATF doesn't object, so who am I to argue?.....
Click to expand...
Well...........ATF DOES object and has since 1999.
If you are relying on this 1981 ATF Opinion Letter that says repro stocks are okey dokey: http://www.titleii.com/bardwell/atf_letter58.txt , then you also need to be aware of the 1999 ATF Opinion Letter that does a 180 and says repro stocks not okey dokey: http://www.titleii.com/bardwell/atf_letter70.txt

Thin ice.....you is on it.;)


*** Now, if you have a more recent Opinion Letter the world eagerly awaits.
 
Someone's always gotta try and piss on the parade. I did do research before expressing that they didn't mind; I'm not an idiot and don't want to go to prison. From 2012-

"- This Mauser, by reason of date of manufacture, value, design, and other characteristics, when possessed with an attachable shoulder stock, are primarily collector's items, and are not likely to be used as weapons, and therefore are excluded from the provisions of the NFA.
- The BATF listing includes Mauser, model 1896, semiautomatic pistol, accompanied by original German manufactured detachable wooden holster/shoulder stock, all German mfd, variations produced prior to 1940, any caliber.
- further, that BATF has determined that such firearms are curios and relics, as defined in Title 26, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 178, para 178.11, and therefore, would still be subject to the Gun Control Act of 1968.
- BATF has previously determined that Mauser Model 1896 pistols with reproduction stocks, which duplicate or closely approximate the originals, have ALSO been removed from the provisions of the NFA."

Or this, date unknown but post-2005:
- A C96 (aka 1896) Broomhandle Mauser with pre-1940 manufacture receiver AND with either an original buttstock or a close replica of an original buttstock, is a Title 1 (1968 Gun Control Act) Pistol ...(also a Curio and Relic firearm); it is NOT a Title II Short Barrel Rifle. BATF regards this as a collector's item not likely to be owned as a weapon. However, a C96 Broomhandle either
- - with a receiver made after 1940... OR
- - with a stock that is NOT an original OR CLOSE REPLICA of an original issue,
is considered by BATF to be weaponized and NOT a collector's item.

Also the Mauser, having been out of production since before WW2 may well be considered separately from the High Power referenced in the second letter you linked above.
 
Interestingly there are C96s that this doesn't apply to- In the 1980s Shansei did a production run based on leftover receivers. The .45 ACP Type 17s were mainly exported, but many of the 7.63 models were distributed to rural law enforcement in China, where they used down-loaded 7.62 x 25 Tokarev ammo. Any of these weapons, when fitted with either a contemporary stock (1980s) or a new reproduction are considered SBRs.
 
Michael Tinker Pearce said:
Someone's always gotta try and piss on the parade. I did do research before expressing that they didn't mind; I'm not an idiot and don't want to go to prison. From 2012-
Click to expand...
Well, someone always seems to post inaccurate statements that could lead others to violations of federal law. Don't be THAT someone.;)

Where did you do your research?
I ask because many sources on the internet refer to the 1981 ATF Opinion Letter, conveniently ignoring the subsequent 1999 ATF Opinion Letter.





So.......where did you dig up the following?:scrutiny:
"- This Mauser, by reason of date of manufacture, value, design, and other characteristics, when possessed with an attachable shoulder stock, are primarily collector's items, and are not likely to be used as weapons, and therefore are excluded from the provisions of the NFA.
- The BATF listing includes Mauser, model 1896, semiautomatic pistol, accompanied by original German manufactured detachable wooden holster/shoulder stock, all German mfd, variations produced prior to 1940, any caliber.
- further, that BATF has determined that such firearms are curios and relics, as defined in Title 26, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 178, para 178.11, and therefore, would still be subject to the Gun Control Act of 1968.
- BATF has previously determined that Mauser Model 1896 pistols with reproduction stocks, which duplicate or closely approximate the originals, have ALSO been removed from the provisions of the NFA."
Click to expand...

It sure as heck doesn't come from ATF.gov. ATF's Curio & Relic List https://www.atf.gov/file/128116/download
Note that nowhere in that document does ATF mention "reproductions" are allowed and in fact numerous times the list specifies "original stocks".



Or this, date unknown but post-2005:
- A C96 (aka 1896) Broomhandle Mauser with pre-1940 manufacture receiver AND with either an original buttstock or a close replica of an original buttstock, is a Title 1 (1968 Gun Control Act) Pistol ...(also a Curio and Relic firearm); it is NOT a Title II Short Barrel Rifle. BATF regards this as a collector's item not likely to be owned as a weapon. However, a C96 Broomhandle either
- - with a receiver made after 1940... OR
- - with a stock that is NOT an original OR CLOSE REPLICA of an original issue,
is considered by BATF to be weaponized and NOT a collector's item.
Click to expand...
Again, copying and pasting without citing the source is of little value.





Also the Mauser, having been out of production since before WW2 may well be considered separately from the High Power referenced in the second letter you linked above.
Click to expand...
Well then please provide a cite from an authoritative source.

All you've done is provide very outdated information. ATF Opinion Letters are worth the paper they are printed on btw.
 
Odd Job said:
I think the legality of the stock is an important topic, but probably best dealt with in its own thread in Legal.
Click to expand...

You're the boss! I'll discontinue this line of discussion on this thread.

I will advise readers of this- it would be prudent to check with ATF directly on this question before mounting this stock on your pistol, or at very least rely on your own research into the subject rather than simply accepting my word for it.
 
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