mauser c96
- Thread starter rittbutcher
- Start date
Blastattack
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg MB
How wonderfully specific. Here is the Wikipedia article on the gun. It should cover the vast majority of basic information. If you have any specific questions, I'm sure we will be able to answer or direct you accordingly.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauser_C96
Also welcome to the forum. It is customary to post an introductory greeting in the Greeting and Introduction Forum to introduce yourself to the board.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/forumdisplay.php/137-Greeting-and-Introduction
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauser_C96
Also welcome to the forum. It is customary to post an introductory greeting in the Greeting and Introduction Forum to introduce yourself to the board.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/forumdisplay.php/137-Greeting-and-Introduction
- Location
- West Quebec
Hello and welcome to the forums
You are still quite vague. Its akin to you asking us about a car that has 4 tires. Now you tell us it has 4 doors. You need to be a lot more specific if you want help.
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Well, the guy has two posts and is new at this, so we might cut him a bit of slack.
RITTBUTCHER
som
Most of the guys here will go out of their way to help you identify something, BUT, you have to do your part in giving them information. In this case, there are quite a few versions and variations, and as mentioned, some of these are worth more than others.
So, the best way is provide photographs of the object you want to identify. Not only "general" photos, but also close up photos of the markings and receiver. The more advanced collectors here might see something that absolutely stands out in a photograph, especially in markings, that might seem inconsequential to someone else but would give a positive identification to someone who specializes in that firearm or object. There is a couple of "stickies" on taking and uploading photos here. Many members use PHOTOBUCKET, an Internet free service.
Next, a description of anything or any accessories that came with it. A wooden shoulder stock / holster? Matching numbers? The value just skyrocketed.
As you go along, you will learn how to use the Forums for your interests. Take a look at a few of the queries that have lots of information and photos in them, and see how fast that firearm or object is identified ---- usually within a few posts.
Good Luck, and Welcome to the Website.
.
Well, the guy has two posts and is new at this, so we might cut him a bit of slack.
RITTBUTCHER
som
Most of the guys here will go out of their way to help you identify something, BUT, you have to do your part in giving them information. In this case, there are quite a few versions and variations, and as mentioned, some of these are worth more than others.
So, the best way is provide photographs of the object you want to identify. Not only "general" photos, but also close up photos of the markings and receiver. The more advanced collectors here might see something that absolutely stands out in a photograph, especially in markings, that might seem inconsequential to someone else but would give a positive identification to someone who specializes in that firearm or object. There is a couple of "stickies" on taking and uploading photos here. Many members use PHOTOBUCKET, an Internet free service.
Next, a description of anything or any accessories that came with it. A wooden shoulder stock / holster? Matching numbers? The value just skyrocketed.
As you go along, you will learn how to use the Forums for your interests. Take a look at a few of the queries that have lots of information and photos in them, and see how fast that firearm or object is identified ---- usually within a few posts.
Good Luck, and Welcome to the Website.
.
Based on the adjustable sights, no "Mauser" banner on the top of the chamber, and looking things up on a few different websites (really quick googling, "mauser c96 serial number" was all I did a search for to get these sites), here's some basic stuff:
Pre-war commercial production, 1905 manufacturing date.
Looks to be in nice shape. If your buddy is selling, he's going to be able to take the wife on a nice cruise this winter.
http://oldguns.net/sn_php/c96lookup.php
http://www.g6csy.net/c96/database.html
http://askmisterscience.com/1896mauserbackup/index.html
p.s. I know nothing about broomhandle Mausers... It really was just a quick googling to get that info. The serial # on most guns will tell you a great deal about manufacture date and what kind of features to expect, and then it's just connecting the dots with a bit more googling.
Pre-war commercial production, 1905 manufacturing date.
Looks to be in nice shape. If your buddy is selling, he's going to be able to take the wife on a nice cruise this winter.
http://oldguns.net/sn_php/c96lookup.php
http://www.g6csy.net/c96/database.html
http://askmisterscience.com/1896mauserbackup/index.html
p.s. I know nothing about broomhandle Mausers... It really was just a quick googling to get that info. The serial # on most guns will tell you a great deal about manufacture date and what kind of features to expect, and then it's just connecting the dots with a bit more googling.
thanx guys thats the info I have found already too same sites actaully. He said he inherited it and he was always told or led to believe that it was a 9 mm. even when he got it it came with a bunch of 9mm ammo. but other then being a red 9 which it clearly isnt the only way I can find it to be a 9 mm is if its a c96 9mm export but I dont know how to determine that.
- Location
- West Quebec
You have a gunsmith nearby? They could do some measurements and confirm what caliber it is at least and what shape it is for use.
OP, from your pics the barrel on that pistol is way to slender to be 9mm. I am willing to bet it is chambered for the 7.62x25 Mauser cartridge. This cartridge is also known by other names like .30 Mauser and 7.63 Mauser etc.
DO NOT SHOOT the 7.62x25 Tokarev ammo that is very cheap and available in quantity at this point. For one thing it is way to hot for the springs in the pistol. Another issue with it is that it is corrosive primed and needs to be cleaned meticulously as soon as possible after shooting.
Wolf offers a beefed up spring kit for the pistol and I highly recommend it.
Last year I purchased a C96 from a CGNer that had every spring in it broken or collapsed. I told him about it and his reply was that he didn't know they were because he had never shot it. Personally, I didn't believe a word of it but he never claimed he had shot it when advertising it or before selling it to me. My fault, I should have asked. This sort of thing is unusual on CGN and I just trusted him. I won't buy from him again though.
The bore of the C96 I bought was in 90+% condition and someone had added a bit to the front sight. This is what leads me to believe either the seller or the person he bought it from had been shooting the Russian surplus 7.62x25 Tok ammo through it. It shot flatter than the regular 7.63 Mauser ammo it was designed for so he added material to the top of the sight. It was relatively cheap and the spring kit only took a week to get here and bee installed. One of the springs did require trimming but otherwise everything just popped into place. The pistol is strong enough to handle the surplus ammo but the springs aren't. If not caught in time, some serious damage can be done to the pistol.
Your friend's pistol looks to be in decent condition. As mentioned it is a Commercial variation. If the stock matches and the blue is original and of course the bore is decent that pistol could sell for $3000 plus.
Be very careful, that 9mm ammo might just chamber and fire. This will destroy the pistol. If you know how to use a ruler, measure across the muzzle opening. If you are more familiar with metric measurements, the opening will be around 7.6 mm or 9mm. This will confirm the cartridge.
If I remember correctly, the C96 pistols were chambered for 9x19/7.63mauser/9mmBergman. There are likely others but the 7.63 is by far the most common.
DO NOT SHOOT the 7.62x25 Tokarev ammo that is very cheap and available in quantity at this point. For one thing it is way to hot for the springs in the pistol. Another issue with it is that it is corrosive primed and needs to be cleaned meticulously as soon as possible after shooting.
Wolf offers a beefed up spring kit for the pistol and I highly recommend it.
Last year I purchased a C96 from a CGNer that had every spring in it broken or collapsed. I told him about it and his reply was that he didn't know they were because he had never shot it. Personally, I didn't believe a word of it but he never claimed he had shot it when advertising it or before selling it to me. My fault, I should have asked. This sort of thing is unusual on CGN and I just trusted him. I won't buy from him again though.
The bore of the C96 I bought was in 90+% condition and someone had added a bit to the front sight. This is what leads me to believe either the seller or the person he bought it from had been shooting the Russian surplus 7.62x25 Tok ammo through it. It shot flatter than the regular 7.63 Mauser ammo it was designed for so he added material to the top of the sight. It was relatively cheap and the spring kit only took a week to get here and bee installed. One of the springs did require trimming but otherwise everything just popped into place. The pistol is strong enough to handle the surplus ammo but the springs aren't. If not caught in time, some serious damage can be done to the pistol.
Your friend's pistol looks to be in decent condition. As mentioned it is a Commercial variation. If the stock matches and the blue is original and of course the bore is decent that pistol could sell for $3000 plus.
Be very careful, that 9mm ammo might just chamber and fire. This will destroy the pistol. If you know how to use a ruler, measure across the muzzle opening. If you are more familiar with metric measurements, the opening will be around 7.6 mm or 9mm. This will confirm the cartridge.
If I remember correctly, the C96 pistols were chambered for 9x19/7.63mauser/9mmBergman. There are likely others but the 7.63 is by far the most common.
They also were made for the 9mm Mauser "EXPORT" cartridge (a stretched, heavy-load 9 Para) but this gun is too old for that one.
Only COMMERCIAL pre-War C-96s I have encountered were in standard 7.63 Mauser. Guns sold through British shops can be marked "CAL. .303" MAUSER".
Not much, but hope it helps.
That is one SERIOUSLY Nice Toy! Don't let Janice near it!
Only COMMERCIAL pre-War C-96s I have encountered were in standard 7.63 Mauser. Guns sold through British shops can be marked "CAL. .303" MAUSER".
Not much, but hope it helps.
That is one SERIOUSLY Nice Toy! Don't let Janice near it!
You're right about that. A very similar commercial I used to own had been fitted with an extra complete upper. Now that you mention it the rear sight was graduated to 500. That is one I wish hadn't got away. Very nice set up all the way around and lots of cheap ammo for it. I needed a new 200 amp breaker panel and breakers for the house I was building at the time and the pistol complete with matching shoulder stock/harness/cleaning tool and extra upper brought in enough cash to buy all of the breakers/panel/wire/outlets and boxes for the whole house. That was a significant sell for me in many ways.
Very interesting about the higher pressure 9mm round. Maybe that's what was in the one I saw and assumed was chambered for 9mm Bergman????
