Finally got around to firing my grandfathers all matching M1920 French Gendarme C96 Mauser. This example was produced by Mauser for the French Gendarmerie Nationale occupational police forces following WWI. The stock does not match and is a WWI German example, but functions all the same. My grandfather bought this while stationed in Alaska in 1957 for $37 and it’s been in his collection ever since. I stripped it down last night for cleaning, studying, and oiling, and took it out to the range this afternoon. Click HERE for a short clip of it firing four rounds. Enjoy!
Some info on these guns:
In the immediate aftermath of World War One, the French government purchased 2,000 Mauser C96 pistols for use by occupation forces who were to be stationed in Germany. While the direct link to the French military is missing, a sale of 2,000 C96 pistols through German dealer Albrecht Kind is documented, and we know that the French Gendarmerie did use the C96 in the occupation.
The French language book L'histoire des armes de la Gendarmerie from J. Huon & J-C. Schlinger (Crepin Leblond 2006) gives on page 156 the Pistolet Mauser Bolo (Fiche No. 2.4.03). On the photo off the left side of the gun you can see black grips with a logo. The length of the barrel is 100 mm. Visor range 50-500 m. Magazine capacity 10. The range of serial numbers is given as 432000-434000.
The serial number of this C96 is 433,92X.
In the German language book C96 Geschichte & Modelle 1915-1922 (Band III) from Kersten, Moll & Schmid (dwj 2106) is some information on page 139-140. There is a photo of serial number 432516 which shows the back of the hammer with the letters NS.
The guns that are identified as making up this purchase are in the 430,000-434,000 serial number range, produced right at the end of the war or just after. They are 7.63mm guns with 100mm (3.9 inch) barrels, and distinctive hard rubber grips with an intertwined “WM” logo. Many have a commercial export “Germany” stamp on the receiver, as the purchase was taken from existing stocks and not made to order for the French. The rear sights are 500m sights left over from Prussian Red 9 production, and the shoulder stocks were similarly leftovers – oak stock made for full-length barrels, without lanyard rings.
Notes compiled from various sources.
Some info on these guns:
In the immediate aftermath of World War One, the French government purchased 2,000 Mauser C96 pistols for use by occupation forces who were to be stationed in Germany. While the direct link to the French military is missing, a sale of 2,000 C96 pistols through German dealer Albrecht Kind is documented, and we know that the French Gendarmerie did use the C96 in the occupation.
The French language book L'histoire des armes de la Gendarmerie from J. Huon & J-C. Schlinger (Crepin Leblond 2006) gives on page 156 the Pistolet Mauser Bolo (Fiche No. 2.4.03). On the photo off the left side of the gun you can see black grips with a logo. The length of the barrel is 100 mm. Visor range 50-500 m. Magazine capacity 10. The range of serial numbers is given as 432000-434000.
The serial number of this C96 is 433,92X.
In the German language book C96 Geschichte & Modelle 1915-1922 (Band III) from Kersten, Moll & Schmid (dwj 2106) is some information on page 139-140. There is a photo of serial number 432516 which shows the back of the hammer with the letters NS.
The guns that are identified as making up this purchase are in the 430,000-434,000 serial number range, produced right at the end of the war or just after. They are 7.63mm guns with 100mm (3.9 inch) barrels, and distinctive hard rubber grips with an intertwined “WM” logo. Many have a commercial export “Germany” stamp on the receiver, as the purchase was taken from existing stocks and not made to order for the French. The rear sights are 500m sights left over from Prussian Red 9 production, and the shoulder stocks were similarly leftovers – oak stock made for full-length barrels, without lanyard rings.
Notes compiled from various sources.
