Seeking advice and information on Mauser C96

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kevinh

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Hi everyone,

So, I found a Mauser C96 in the USA.

I'm thinking of importing with Borderview or Prophet River.

This specific specimen has a 4 digit serial number, around #4400.

Can anyone with experience and knowledge offer some advice?

Will I have a hard time getting an antique letter?
I know there was some issues with serial numbers and antique status.
But from limited research I'm in the sweet spot with this serial number.

I"ve already emailed the CFP asking for advice.

I want to be completely legal and safe.

Thank you very much.
Best regards,
Kevin H.
 
Congrats on the find.

You neither need nor should get antique letter.It will only serve to register your find.
If it is a true antique you shouldn't need anyone to import it for you.
 
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Thanks so much Pete04 :)

Been meaning to acquire one for more than a decade!

Edit:. Can someone with knowledge give non legal advice
is the one I found a prescribed antique?
 
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Played around a few minutes but haven't used the site much. Also not that well versed in the C96. I wasn't able to find out anything specific either.

Hopefully someone has been down this road and can tell you more.
 
I think the pricks have been at it again, changed them to restricted, (CC 84(1) "restricted firearm" para. (a) ), except for the Turkish contract ones...I had one, will look for papers on it, see if the FRT has been changed. Found it, FRT 28788-10 Now shows a Thompson Center Fire...
 
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Here we go round the mullberry bush again <sigh>.

Yes, it does look like FRN 28788 has been messed with, though it still has the notes that some examples are antique, but there is now no number for them. It used to be 28788 - 10. This is from armalytics, can't seem to log in to the live RCMP copy just now, will update this post later when I can.

With 4400-4500 gun you _should_ be ok given past history... The way you go about it is you submit a request to _register_ a firearm... but try using FRN 28788-10 - even though it's not shown in armalytics any more. Make a note that you consider this an antique firearm. A technician will contact you, most likely Mr Bartlett. He will ask for pictures and once you send them in will either issue you an antique letter or simply register the gun to you as a restricted. The fact that he himself accepted 4000 serialed guns before doesn't mean he can't decide to change his mind now.

You can try contacting the Paul Mauser archive for a records search - they should be able to tell you when your gun was made. It will cost you though. I haven't done this yet myself but I might at some point. (My gun is in the 2000 range and lettered so I'm not eager to spend the money) <edited> they are not able/willing to provide a definitive document on the serial cutoff but will certify individual pistols.

Overall expect this process to take months - this is by design. Do not expect to be able to do this successfully if you haven't bought the gun and have it sitting in storage in the US, waiting for you to go through the determination process.

If it is determined to be antique, yes, you _should_ be able to bring it in yourself, bypassing importers. Mailing seems to be hit or miss lately. Bringing it in person is more reliable. Good luck.
 
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The FRT has been changed, some time in January the RCMP removed references to the Antique configurations for FRN #28788.

As others have pointed out they still reference the existence of antiques in the Canadian Law Comments section of the FRT.

PM if you need a copy of the previous FRT showing Antiques.
 
Pete04 said:
Congrats on the find.

You neither need nor should get antique letter.It will only serve to register your find.
If it is a true antique you shouldn't need anyone to import it for you.
Click to expand...


Wait so do you just walk over the border with it? How do you declare it on customs and make sure it doesn't get seized?

For some things like a percussion gun I guess it would be easy enough, but what about models where the serial number range straddles 1897/1898, and the FRT isn't clear about the serial number ranges? (but you have a book or something)
 
Thanks for the info.

I'm in talks with CFP technician.
They are trying to identify by photos.

I also called CBSA and they want duties/taxes and also a letter from an expert sayings it an antique in Canada.

Might have to use one of those exporters but it's going to take somewhere around 6 weeks. :(
 
RCMP are playing word games...on their web page..."Long Rifle cartridges able to discharge centre-fire cartridges"....and Justice Laws Web Page..".A handgun manufactured before 1898 that is capable of discharging centre-fire cartridges other than"
Makes it look like it can only shoot Long rifle cartridges...
Here is the PDF for Antiques according to the Justice Website https://laws.justice.gc.ca/PDF/SOR-98-464.pdf
 
mearkat32 said:
Wait so do you just walk over the border with it? How do you declare it on customs and make sure it doesn't get seized?

For some things like a percussion gun I guess it would be easy enough, but what about models where the serial number range straddles 1897/1898, and the FRT isn't clear about the serial number ranges? (but you have a book or something)
Click to expand...

I've bought a bunch of antiques, over the years, out of the states. Never once had a problem. Have the vendor USMail it to me. Declare it an antique and the price payed. Payed the taxes owing and that was about it. YMMV
 
Don't know if you can use "antique" and "realistic" in the same sentence. Given how prices on antiques have doubled in the last 5 years, I'd say 15k.

No, the gun in Switzer's won't get accepted unless you can get Paul Mauser's archive to find you the actual production date (there is a chance).
 
C96 mauser pistols are hard to get the RCMPOLICE to define as an antique
I have one I asked about that I got out of the middle East
It has been proofed by, Germany, England and other's because of It's military history there
Gave up on trying
 
They have "De published" the FRT for the antique C-96's. A verifier can't even get a copy of it. They have set it up so that the only way to get a piece of paper saying a c-96 is antique, is to apply for an antique letter.

This is the email I got from them on the subject when I questioned them as to why it was not available any more. Just more dirty pool on the part of the RCMP.


Something I learn since your last email on the subject ... all C96
antique child entries as been unpublished.

The procedure as been "updated" in a way to control/have those look
at more carefully, individually.
So we are asking the client to provide us with his application number
after he submitted online so we could add a note that says: "possible
antique please refer to FTU for review/FRT match."
That way the application will come to us first for that purpose,
jumping ahead of the line kind of thing.

what a crook of BS.
 
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