Mauser C96

[Mordoc]

I dropped by a local shop this afternoon (bad idea) and he had a Mauser C96 on consignment. It is a .30 small ring model and appears to be from the commercial market. I cannot find any military proofs. It has a 5 1/2" barrel and the hand grip is slotted for a stock. No stock/holster is included and there are no stripper clips. The weapon has little finish left but no rust and no sign of missuse. The bore looks pretty good. He is asking $300. I was expecting it to feel clumsy but it isn't. I can talk to the owner Monday. I find them to be pretty neat and may try haggle with him a little. One question, when cocked I thought the safety should push forward/upward for SAFE. I couldn't move the safety when the weapon was cocked. Are they normally stiff / hard to move? I don't know if the current owner has fired it but will ask.What do you all think? Thanks for any advice.

 

[Route 66]

This sounds like the model with the "New Safety" feature. If the hammer is cocked you then must pull the hammer back a bit to engae the safety. This safety device is noted on the back of the hammer with an intertwined "NS" (for New Safety). Do you know the s/n range? If so I could help identify the exact model you are looking at.

Even if the finish is all gone and it is in otherwise good mechanical condition I think it would be a very good deal. You can buy a repro wooden stock from Sarco for I believe around a $100 (also stripper clips).

Good Luck

 

[Mordoc]

Update: Parts Gun?
Well, on closer examination and without sunglasses on I guess this is a parts gun.
The number on the barrel/chamber area is 477452.
The bolt is marked 8117. The back of the hammer 583.
The back of the grip (frame) 709583. Lower down on the frame is 615116.
It is a "new safety" model and the safety action is positive. Thanks for that tip!
It might still be OK as a shooter but I was hoping that I would hear that the owners great uncle John took it of the Kaiser's nephew at Bellau Wood.

 

[Route 66]

Well at least two of the numbers match! From the numbers you gave it appears to be a postwar commercial model (WWI). You said it had a 5.5 inch barrel, what about the grip, is it full size or Bolo? The serial range you indicated (although many) indicates a Bolo style. If the barrel is good and the action feels tight I'd say $200 - $250 is more appropriate. I saw in Shotgun News last night that there are used repro stocks with a leather harness that can be had for $76. That would make a nice outfit to play with!

 

[Mordoc]

The grip is shortened and flat sided. That is Bolo type right?

 

[Wildalaska]

The most important number on the gun is the bolt stop.. If unnumbered, pass. If not matching the upper, pass.

Also if the bolt stop shows any type of peening, pass. If the barrel extension where the bolt stop fits is not perfect, pass.

Parts Broomhandles are particularly dangerous.


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