C96 refurb

rattus

rattus

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EE Expired
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Maple Ridge, BC
I need advice on a C96 I recently purchased in EE. It's an older model, cone hammer, the handles are worn so much there aren't any grooves anymore, it's badly pitted and the bore is a mess. Still, it isn't dangerous to shoot and the action works, safety works, and I think I'd like to make it shootable again. I know the heresy and all, but what would it cost to rebore and sleeve the barrel? And does anyone do that in Canada?
BroomL.jpg
 
Call me silly but I like old stuff. And this looks old :D And my wife loves it (it's actually her's) and that's a pretty valuable marker to have for the future.
 
There was a company in the US that could re-bore them, or re-barrel to 9mm. I have no idea how that would work out nowadays. That was mid-90's.

That looks like one of the Century guns from about 1993? I've got one too.

NS
 
Since you are going to refurbish it another option is to have the barrel cut off and then bore/thread the end of the receiver to take a Luger barrel--this used to be fairly common back in the 50's and 60's in parts of the US. I saw one done that way down in Phoenix one time and it looked quite nice--guy said it shot well also.

Yours is in better shape than my Bolo--it isn't fireable at this time. I have mostly finished filing and polishing all of the frame but don't have much time to spend on it these days.
44Bore.
 
Many cone hammers were made pre-1898, with s/n 12100 being at around the end of 1897 .

Cone hammers were phased out around s/n 14999 the last being made in 1899 and just before the Italian contract large ring hammer slab sides.
 
eos said:
Many cone hammers were made pre-1898, with s/n 12100 being at around the end of 1897 .

Cone hammers were phased out around s/n 14999 the last being made in 1899 and just before the Italian contract large ring hammer slab sides.
Click to expand...

The best guess I have for this one is October 1897, by the serial number and a couple of websites that detailed when each range was made. So it's quite an old pistol, but not of much value in the condition it's in & without the original stock. I don't think it's a museum piece or even a true collector's item so I won't likely feel too bad refurbing it.
 
c96 refurb

rattus said:
I need advice on a C96 I recently purchased in EE. It's an older model, cone hammer, the handles are worn so much there aren't any grooves anymore, it's badly pitted and the bore is a mess. Still, it isn't dangerous to shoot and the action works, safety works, and I think I'd like to make it shootable again. I know the heresy and all, but what would it cost to rebore and sleeve the barrel? And does anyone do that in Canada?
BroomL.jpg
Click to expand...

Your conehammer has seen much better days. It is badly pitted and your bore is a mess......this is a warning sign. Just imagine what condition the springs, bolt, and bolt stop are in. Just because the action works and the safety works is no indication that it is safe to shoot. If your main spring fails, if your bolt stop is cracked or damaged and you fire this pistol, you stand a very good chance of wearing the bolt between your eyes and if lucky somewhere on the right side of your face.

These guns are anywhere from 72 to over 120 years old. Resleeving this is a very complicated and expensive proposition. Very few people will opt for this. You would be better off buying a broom handle of a more recent vintage and one that is in much better shape.

The rules that I follow when working on these is:
1. replace all the springs in the pistol (3)
2. remove and examine the bolt stop for any cracks or defects.
3. if not sure have it checked by a competent gun smith

Springs and bolt stops are available (the later being a little more difficult to find as well as expensive)

To the contrary to what some may say, never use 7.62 Tok ammo in this pistol. Just because it fits and can fire it does not make it safe or smart to do so. Tok ammo is too hot for this pistol.:slap:

If you have any more specific questions pertaining to making this pistol safe or if you are looking for parts or a source for parts, feel free to pm me.

Enjoy your new toy, but be safe! (wear your helmet and eye protection)
c96:cool:
 
rattus said:
The best guess I have for this one is October 1897, by the serial number and a couple of websites that detailed when each range was made. So it's quite an old pistol, but not of much value in the condition it's in & without the original stock. I don't think it's a museum piece or even a true collector's item so I won't likely feel too bad refurbing it.
Click to expand...

This gun may qualify as antique, greatly enhancing it's value. Any verifier can re-classify as antique an appropriately dated firearm of a calibre not expressly prohibited. Contacting a tech at the registry would be helpful as they have serial number cut off info. 7.63 Mauser is not a listed calibre under the reg:

Handguns:
manufactured before 1898 that can discharge only rim-fire cartridges, other than 22 Calibre Short, 22 Calibre Long or 22 Calibre Long Rifle cartridges;

manufactured before 1898 that can discharge centre-fire cartridges, other than a handgun designed or adapted to discharge 32 Short Colt, 32 Long Colt, 32 Smith and Wesson, 32 Smith and Wesson Long, 32-20 Winchester, 38 Smith and Wesson; 38 Short Colt, 38 Long Colt, 38-40 Winchester, 44-40 Winchester, or 45 Colt cartridges
 
c96 refurb

eos said:
Many cone hammers were made pre-1898, with s/n 12100 being at around the end of 1897 .

Cone hammers were phased out around s/n 14999 the last being made in 1899 and just before the Italian contract large ring hammer slab sides.
Click to expand...

Note when trying to determine the date of manufacture of Mauser C96 pistols, especially the early ones like cone hammers, you can not rely on the sequential serial numbers as a numeric guide, as Paul Mauser was known to skip and omit entire blocks of serial numbers in the early days to give those potential military purchasers the impression that the gun was really more popular than it actually was.

For interest sake, here is an Mint Condition Italian Navy Contract Large Ring Slab Side

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e230/strathilsa/2006_1115ItalianNavyC960004.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e230/strathilsa/2006_1115ItalianNavyC960003.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e230/strathilsa/2006_1115ItalianNavyC960001-1.jpg

C96
 
C96 said:
Note when trying to determine the date of manufacture of Mauser C96 pistols, especially the early ones like cone hammers, you can not rely on the sequential serial numbers as a numeric guide, as Paul Mauser was known to skip and omit entire blocks of serial numbers in the early days to give those potential military purchasers the impression that the gun was really more popular than it actually was.

For interest sake, here is an Mint Condition Italian Navy Contract Large Ring Slab Side

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e230/strathilsa/2006_1115ItalianNavyC960004.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e230/strathilsa/2006_1115ItalianNavyC960003.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e230/strathilsa/2006_1115ItalianNavyC960001-1.jpg

C96
Click to expand...

Yours? I have a slabside from outside the Italian range (S/N 218xx) in similar condition.
 
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