Help required in buying .30 mauser broomstick pistol

[BowMan]

All this does not matter in the Indian context where an arms dealer can buy absolute junk and "restore" it into "mint condition"

hamiclar01 please note at least my good friend GBM agrees with me

Did I mention the paucity of restorative skills in contemporary Indian gunsmiths

Some Indian Gunsmiths have skills that are at par with the best in the world and some are not so good.

[goodboy_mentor]

It appears you have not been able to understand hamiclar01. He means to say that Indian gunsmiths do not lack restorative skills. I am also saying that the Indian gunsmith can "restore" absolute junk into "mint" condition and sell them to make fat profits. That is why one needs to be extremely careful while buying second hand firearms.

[hamiclar01]

Bowman,

If you pause and reflect, you may comprehend what this thread is all about.

[Vineet]

Perhaps Vineet you have a good experience of this pistol. Can you point out or list some of the things that need to be kept in mind by someone looking to acquire this old beauty.

Also can you post pictures and also perhaps some groupings from your lady...

I had posted the pictures on this forum and they were here for more than a year. Then I removed some of them, I will soon put them up again.

Vineet, you and members of your family did not start this thread because it is apparent that you have the experience of handling these weapons and the ability to procure good ammo.The person who sought our opinion (on behalf of his cousin) certainly did not seem to have the same.

I never said that I or members of my family started this thread.

If I can buy good ammo then anyone in India having a valid license can buy the same. The person who sought our opinion can also buy them.

Regards,
Vineet

[Vikram]

Gentlemen,

Lets keep things nice and easy and pleasant. Let us restrict ourselves to guns.

Best-
Vikram

[nagarifle]

Gentlemen,

Lets keep things nice and easy and pleasant. Let us restrict ourselves to guns.

Best-
Vikram

party pooper

[Kyrie]

Mauser Model C96 ('Broomhandle') are very fine pistols.

Before buying, verify bore condition is at least very good, with clear and distinct rifling. Verify safety works correctly. Test fire if possible.

The pictures show what collectors call a 'Bolo' variation C96. This is a C96 with a relatively short barrel 3.9 inches vs. the usual 5.5 inches and a smaller grip frame. About a half million such pistols were produced between 1918 and 1930.

Here are pictures of a full sized C96:





Best regards,

Kyrie
Moderator - C96_Forum on Yahoo Groups
Subscribe: C96_Forum-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe: C96_Forum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

[Kyrie]

On the negative side, the weapon is difficult to carry in a concealed manner. It is also awkward and clumsy in use due to its size and shape.

Respectfully, and with no offense intended, I have not found that to be true. I have carried a C96 in a shoulder holster, and found it to be more comfortable and less noticeable than a revolver with a four inch barrel. Nor does its size and shape render it 'clumsy' to use. It balances quite well in the hand, and is easy to shoot well.

The C96 has a long, long history as a defensive handgun

[ngrewal]

bowman

This forum is for having sane discussions with rational folks ..you are pushing the envelope so take it easy and enjoy your stay or you will force mods hand..some of the senior and informed members made recommendations take this as an advise

[BowMan]

Hi Kyrie,

There can be no disputing the fact that the C-96 is one of the most distinguished semi autos in the history of firearm design. The renowned handgun expert Massad Ayood has pointed out that “This landmark design changed things in a dimension far beyond the world of the pistol”. He further remarks that “it is not merely worthy of the classic status but is a front runner for the most influential handgun of all time’. There are many firsts to its credit and was years ahead of the pack in terms of design and development.

It actually remains the first semi auto to be ever fielded in combat operation when it saw action in the Boer was during 1899 and proved itself to be rugged and reliable enough for field use. Firearm historians know that it was this success that set the stage for the US army to develop its own semi auto handgun which was adopted as the equally venerable M1911 in the year of 1911. That is 15 years after the C-96 which saw full scale production begin in 1896 and it remained so well into the 1940’s.

Consider this; when most armies around the world carried revolvers that could carry 6 rounds the C 96 had the advantage of at least 10 rounds and some versions even carrying 15 and 20 rounds! Perhaps that makes it the original "HIGH CAP" pistol and it can still hold itself in that area against the Barettas and Glocks. Even in its 10 round capacity the Mauser had 3 more rounds than the venerable M1911, if 15 than 8 more rounds and if 20 than 13 more rounds! Not to forget that there are also some fully automatic versions of this pistol and this coupled with the attachable stock make it a very potent weapon system.

In terms of cartridge design it can be argued that some of the ideas adopted by the C-96 like the bottle neck cartridge and ballistic advantages of higher velocity over a heavy bullet are now being rediscovered by such pistols as the FN Five-Seven. When the US army rode with the .45 LC @ 950-1000 fps and the British were still stuck with .455 Webley @ 600 - 700 fps the 7.63×25mm Mauser sizzled at 1450 fps. In fact this perfectly explains why a Germanophobe like Sir Winston Churchill chose the Mauser over a very British Webley & Scott Revolver. During the independence struggle, It was after all a C 96 which was carried by Ram Prasad Bismil and others when they carried out the Kakori Kand.

The detachable stock is also a lesson in design and one must appreciate how much thought has been put behind it. Attached, it provides a very stable firing platform and one can truly harness the long range potentials of this gun and detached it serves as a holster in which the gun neatly folds inside. Very handy indeed!!!

The two minutes of action the C – 96 saw in the Battle of Omdurman at the hands of a young Winston Churchill is actually believed to be amongst the first known and documented combat use of a semi auto pistol ever. This experience not only saved the life of the then 23 year old Cavalry Lieutenant but also left him with a lifelong love affair with the Mauser. The Very pistol used by Sir Winston Churchill which he preserved to the end of his life was auctioned at the Sotheby’s in 1971 and was used by Sir David Attenborough in the film “Young Winston”. It is believed to be an exhibit currently at the Beijing War Museum.

In conclusion let me say that I have simply put the credentials of this iconic design and facts concerning its history as they are. By no means do I want to change existing beliefs held by members about this handgun. I simply hope those who have an interest in historic firearms and war history find this to be of some interest and perhaps also informative.

Regards
BowMan

[sonuvecv]

To the OP,

You need to ask yourself why you need this particular firearm. Mausers while cool,fun and do pack a punch, they are unwieldy and un-ergonomic. You may have it checked with a decent gunsmith for the condition. 6.5 Lakh for it? Not for me.
Best-
Vikram

Sir,Actually I have suggested him that he can go for .30 mauser after reading so much about it on this forum,As told by the dealer this weapon belongs to an IFS officer and not used much he said that he will take his commision only and we can met with owner,yes it is bulky and he showed a custom made leather holster in which it is kept,.Ammunation is available here.For condition checking of this pistol (any handgun) what one should focus or what a new person should look for,or if we bargain than what price,shall we offer,or which pistol or other option we can get in same price range.Please help.
Regards
Digvijay Singh Tomar

[sonuvecv]

if u need any more info plz feel free to call me

Your number Sir

[sonuvecv]

Regardless whether it is .30 Mauser broomstick or any other second hand firearm, one needs to be cautious and not be carried away by its "imported" label. There are plenty of gunsmiths in this country who can do very good "restorative" work that cannot be very easily ascertained. I would prefer not to comment on the extent of such "restorative" work that is done. . But the fact cannot be ignored that due to prevailing extortionate prices of "imported" firearms, thanks to import restriction, one can use his own commonsense and understand the things as to how lucrative is the "restoration" business.

Dear Sir ,
That's why we are very apprehensive ,heard many stories and reading a lot from this from this forum hat how dealers can sold you crap by restoring it.As this dealer is acquintance of my uncle (acquintence of his post in state Administrative Service) can't sale us a restored weapon and as he is from city as well where we belongs to.But shall we go for it or what are the other options available.And thanks for all of you for providing so much of help and guidence.
Regards,
Digvijay

[sr26]

30 mauser is a good weapon no doubt, but let me tell u some facts
u can not carry the weapon in your waist. if its in your waist u cannot immediately draw it if you neerooted it.
by the time u draw it a good shooter can place 3-4 shots in u even 2 shots using a desi katta.
in indian conditions you will rarely fire to hit a target at 1 km range, if needed to do so you can use a rifel probably a 30.06 iof and above all why buy luna when you can buy pulsur

[sr26]

dear when you buy a 30 mauser the lever for using the weapon in semi mode is jammegerd. only then its endorsed on your licence so legally you cannot use it in semi mode.
the charger we use for loading is not same carrying in jeans pocket so do wear a pant