I'm looking at potentially purchasing this C96 'Broomhandle' Mauser, and wanted to gather the thoughts/opinions of the community. This is a very salty example of what I believe to be a 1932, early 1930 commercial model. It has some unusual markings on the right side, which may suggest an export to China at some point. It features small areas of pitting, essentially no remaining finish, and a frosty bore. It is a well, well worn example. Please CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS, and comment with questions, concerns, and opinions. Thank you!
C96 Mauser, Thoughts/Opinions Wanted
- Thread starter 17dburke
- Start date
GEM
Senior Member
Sorry, but I really don't have a good read on current C96 market and hesitate to guess. Others here may chime in. If you search for comparable examples online beware that most anything I see on the various websites, to me, to have greatly inflated asking prices. As always, value = condition, condition, condition..... Decrement for import marks, defacements of marks, mis-matched parts etc. Some of these show up at the shows so that may be a good way to calibrate value.
Background. The People Liberation army was trying to generate hard currency so exported all kinds of obsolete stuff as well as new manufactured Norinco products. Most of the C96 and bolt rifles came through in abysmal condition. Mismatched, mixed parts, rust, pitting, worm eaten wood etc. My bolo has no lands and grooves whatsoever and the grips looked like they were buried but all the parts match. This example looks to be one of the better ones but needs close examination.
For a while there was a cottage industry of re-boring/relining, refurbishment and conversions of these to carbine in 7.63mm and 9mm by Oyster Bay Industries, Mentor Arms, Antique Arms Arsenal and others.
Best of luck.
Background. The People Liberation army was trying to generate hard currency so exported all kinds of obsolete stuff as well as new manufactured Norinco products. Most of the C96 and bolt rifles came through in abysmal condition. Mismatched, mixed parts, rust, pitting, worm eaten wood etc. My bolo has no lands and grooves whatsoever and the grips looked like they were buried but all the parts match. This example looks to be one of the better ones but needs close examination.
For a while there was a cottage industry of re-boring/relining, refurbishment and conversions of these to carbine in 7.63mm and 9mm by Oyster Bay Industries, Mentor Arms, Antique Arms Arsenal and others.
Best of luck.
iron bender
750 Press Operator
Don't buy it. That's my .02
