Antique Status C-96 Mauser Broomhandle

don't know for sure ,but a store in Reddeer is selling a couple in 9mm? And claims to have the letter to go with
 
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The ones that are 9mm are made after unless they used the frame so it's still antique it comes down to serial number some are some arn't

They're not cheap...
 
Gobc said:
what serial number is considered the "cut off"?

Whats the name of the store in red deer?
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Call 1 800-731-4000 ask for a firearms tec and they will look up the serial number and tell you the cut off number.

They come in 4 class.

Prohibit (4 inch or shorter)
Restricted (5 inch)
Antique (older ones useally 7.62)
 
Gobc said:
Is it possible that a pre 1897 C-96 Mauser exists?
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Oh yeah, they exist. Broomhandle #### time ;)

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Gobc said:
what serial number is considered the "cut off"?

Whats the name of the store in red deer?
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The serial cutoff for these are very hard to pinpoint. The RCMP lab will require a full set of digital images and will not be willing to verify antiquity off of serial alone on these.

The reason is that there were contract runs that started back at serial #1. There are also anomalies where later frames used early production parts so a Broomhandle might visibly look antique (conehammer, early production upper, etc) and be built on a later frame. Needless to say nothing went to waist in those days and a box of old parts wouldn't be looked over for new production runs.

When learning about Broomhandles you're going to have to look for other signs of antiquity besides serial number. Also keep in mind that during 1897 the design wasn't stabilized and there can be some unique finds, making one Broomhandle command a larger collector premium than another (even seperated by one digit in the serial range). Signs for antiquity to look for are; conehammer is a good start, no serial number on diagonal flats of barrel, serial number found on exterior on back of frame and hammer, no Mauser factory markings on left or right side of frame, "WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER, OBERNDORF A/N" marking on top flat of barrel.

As for the guy in Red Deer he's no longer selling antiques. AFAIK the RCMP shut him down, not sure of the reason. If you're looking to spend $10000 on an antique broomhandle (his last asking price) I'll sell you mine for cheaper than that ;).

If you're looking for help on identification feel free to send a PM or post here, I'll be happy to help.

haha49 said:
The ones that are 9mm are made after unless they used the frame so it's still antique it comes down to serial number some are some arn't
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Some have been bored out to 9mm once their original 7.63 bore was shot out. Others are lucky enough to find a 9mm upper (these are hand machined and fitted so not all uppers interchange readily) and change out from 7.63 and 9mm.
 
I got one its a very nice gun rcmp letter mine shoots really accurate to better than the last one i had.
Funny the frist one i had was minty and perfect finish and minty bore but it shot 6 inch groups then i get the one i have now which is nice but well used and i can shoot 3 inch groups with it at 20 yds.
I got all the extra stuff with mine hard stock and a Orinal full officers holster and shoulder strap.
Everything posted above in Loki s thread is pretty much right on good luck trying to get a RCMP letter for one.
Id not sell mine for less than $7500 or so there just to hard to get and ones that shoot above the bullseye like mine does not right or left is even harder to come by.
10 shots SA smokeless 7.63 mauser. fun as hell to shoot :)
Dont ask me the ser # range im not posting it because the status is based on alot more than just the serial number.



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davidsbyang said:
Hi Loki_81,

A nice cone hammer with shoulder stock. What is the serial range? Is it an antique and the stock matching?
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Thanks :). Yes it's antique, the tricky thing with the stock is the attaching iron is matching but the stock has a "Mauser" logo on the left side and the stain colour is off. This makes it either a repro/later date stock on the original iron, or the stock for some reason was refinished. As said the design wasn't stabilized at that time, which included the shoulder stock, so the stock itself has no serial. Either way (repro/later date stock on original iron or refinished) it's an absolute travesty.

bluesteel221 said:
if it has a cone hammer its an antique
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Not so, as I said in my previous post you can find wierd stuff like a cone hammer on a later production run. A cone hammer is one of the signs of antiquity, but not definitive proof.
 
Hey Guys, thanks a lot. I appreciate the wealth of information you guys bring.

I have to say, at $7500-10g plus for an antique, is just too much out of my price range, espesially when I truly just want a fun plinker that I cant take camping once or twice a year. Maybe one day we'll get rid of that stupid restricted status, but until then, I think a Webley WG is more in my (top of) price range.
 
Well what matters is the date the frame of the gun was manfactured so if a frame was made post the date and they finished the gun later its still an orginal frame and since thats the gun... its what matters 90 percent of the time they can be hard to date thats why I sugest you call and ask
 
The upper serial limit for a Conehammer is 12199. That will be prior to December 31st, 1897.

As for other models of the Broomie, the Large Ring is later, and the Small Ring, while that series can be found under 12199, is made after December 1897 as well (and after the Large Ring).

Grab the book SYSTEM MAUSER. It's still the best one in the English language. A recent book in German, is "C96" by Manfred Kersten, F.W. Minor, and Walter Schmid. Walter was a gunner in Tiger tanks during the war. Their e-mail site is: www.servicek.com

Cheers,

Bill
 
Just to elaborate....serial numbers can be confusing, because Conehammers started at #1, but so did the Small Ring Broomies start at #1 in their own serial number series. The hammer (and 9mm calibre) are the giveaways. There were no 9 mils made of the Broomie before the end of 1897.

As for the "C96" book, there are now actually four, each covering a period from 1893 until 1945. Excellent colour photos, and besides, it pays to learn another language (especially if your favourite gun is German:p).

Cheers,

Bill
 
One last thing. Stay away from altered Mausers. If the barrel has been re-calibred, or parts have been replaced/switched, walk away. Conehammer parts are mostly serial numbered. That includes the hammer. Make sure that the hammer number matches the rest of the pistol. If not, walk away.

I buy only from dealers, and dealers who are expert in that field. That means "provenance". I love a paper trail that shows the powers-that-be that I don't have a fiddled gun.

As for antique status, if I sell one with such status, I'll still be getting personal info from a prospective buyer. That way, I too have a paper trail to provide the police if a former gun of mine is used in a crime. That's the way it is with me.

Cheers,

Bill
 
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