Jessesky
Member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2016
- Messages
- 981
Hello all, its been a moment since I've posted here, but good to be back.
I recently acquired this Mauser c96 'Broomhandle' at auction. It was advertised as a "Red 9" however I knew I was taking a risk that it may not be authentic. Im hoping you all may explain to me what a few things mean, as well as help potentially give information that may better confirm or deny authenticity.
The parts that are wrong: the grips look not original, and the rear sight is marked to 1000m rather than the correct 500m, but as this is an old gun, these could have been replaced over its lifetime.
The parts that are correct/possible: The numbers match, and the gun does not appear to be refinished, and has the correct updated safety. The 'red 9s' had a separate serial number and this falls within the accepted range being #126013. The barrel is chambered in 9mm, I don't think it has been relined, but hard to tell sometimes. The main concern is was this a commercial 7.63 mauser converted to 9mm.
There is a large '1920 - 830' on the side of the frame. I have seen 1920 reworks, but none marked in this location or in this fashion. This is the most perplexing part to me. Equally I don't see any physical alterations to the gun that a 1920 rework may have received, yet numbers are matching.
In front of the box magazine there may be a prussian eagle, not all of these had this mark, but some did. On mine there is the faintesttt mark of what may have been? its too hard to tell, but the mark is in the right location. Please see the forgotten weapons photo for reference. There are also marks under the barrel in an attached image which i assume are proof marks, but if anyone knows what they mean, i would appreciate it.
Any help is appreciated. Please see the other attached photos
I recently acquired this Mauser c96 'Broomhandle' at auction. It was advertised as a "Red 9" however I knew I was taking a risk that it may not be authentic. Im hoping you all may explain to me what a few things mean, as well as help potentially give information that may better confirm or deny authenticity.
The parts that are wrong: the grips look not original, and the rear sight is marked to 1000m rather than the correct 500m, but as this is an old gun, these could have been replaced over its lifetime.
The parts that are correct/possible: The numbers match, and the gun does not appear to be refinished, and has the correct updated safety. The 'red 9s' had a separate serial number and this falls within the accepted range being #126013. The barrel is chambered in 9mm, I don't think it has been relined, but hard to tell sometimes. The main concern is was this a commercial 7.63 mauser converted to 9mm.
There is a large '1920 - 830' on the side of the frame. I have seen 1920 reworks, but none marked in this location or in this fashion. This is the most perplexing part to me. Equally I don't see any physical alterations to the gun that a 1920 rework may have received, yet numbers are matching.
In front of the box magazine there may be a prussian eagle, not all of these had this mark, but some did. On mine there is the faintesttt mark of what may have been? its too hard to tell, but the mark is in the right location. Please see the forgotten weapons photo for reference. There are also marks under the barrel in an attached image which i assume are proof marks, but if anyone knows what they mean, i would appreciate it.
Any help is appreciated. Please see the other attached photos
