Police Rework Red 9

[Kaiser715]

Hi all picked up my first broomhandle a while back it’s a police rework red 9 with some interesting history. On the front strap of the grip it bears the Arnhem police marking. I suspect it was probably captured around there. It is all numbers matching down to the grips which don’t have the iconic red 9 marking. Does anyone know how common it was for red 9s not to have red 9 grips? Lastly for any other c96 owners I would appreciate some help troubleshooting some issues, I’ve replaced every spring in the gun and even stepped up to an extra power recoil spring and am still having failures to go all the way into battery. The other problem is no matter what with a full 10 rounds when I remove the clip it will never fully go into battery on the first round. Any troubleshooting tips or knowledge about these rework red 9s would be appreciated!

 

[RyanE]

1) Do the grips match the gun?
2) What is the SN? Any military acceptance?
3) The unit marking is Schutzpolizei Arnsberg, not Arnhem

Are you absolutely sure this is chambered for 9mm and not 7.63mm?

 

[Kaiser715]

1) Do the grips match the gun?
2) What is the SN? Any military acceptance?
3) The unit marking is Schutzpolizei Arnsberg, not Arnhem

Are you absolutely sure this is chambered for 9mm and not 7.63mm?

Thanks for pointing out the different meaning to the unit mark it is all matching including the grips. It does also have the double crown over U stamp that I understand is a military proof. And yes I’m sure it’s 9mm

 

[GEM]

If you are intent on shooting a C96 I would replace the bolt retention block that the firing pin passes through with a modern repo.

I don't trust the originals not to break and then not retain the bolt upon firing.

Why? When stationed in Germany in the 1970's I met a wehrmacht veteran who had a large depression in his skull just above his right eye. He said his broomhandle came apart and that the bolt came out of the weapon to hit him. And I have seen fractured bolt blocks on pistols.

Feed problem: Make sure the all rounds are the proper length and set fully back against the magazine rear wall.

 

[Kaiser715]

If you are intent on shooting a C96 I would replace the bolt retention block that the firing pin passes through with a modern repo.

I don't trust the originals not to break and then not retain the bolt upon firing.

Why? When stationed in Germany in the 1970's I met a wehrmacht veteran who had a large depression in his skull just above his right eye. He said his broomhandle came apart and that the bolt came out of the weapon to hit him. And I have seen fractured bolt blocks on pistols.

Feed problem: Make sure the all rounds are the proper length and set fully back against the magazine rear wall.

I have heard this before I already have a lugerman repro one I simply leave the original in the gun for display. Thanks for the tip on seating I shoot factory good quality brass ammo so lengths should be in spec.

 

[GEM]

Hi all picked up my first broomhandle a while back it’s a police rework red 9 with some interesting history. On the front strap of the grip it bears the Arnhem police marking. I suspect it was probably captured around there. It is all numbers matching down to the grips which don’t have the iconic red 9 marking. Does anyone know how common it was for red 9s not to have red 9 grips? Lastly for any other c96 owners I would appreciate some help troubleshooting some issues, I’ve replaced every spring in the gun and even stepped up to an extra power recoil spring and am still having failures to go all the way into battery. The other problem is no matter what with a full 10 rounds when I remove the clip it will never fully go into battery on the first round. Any troubleshooting tips or knowledge about these rework red 9s would be appreciated!

I have heard this before I already have a lugerman repro one I simply leave the original in the gun for display. Thanks for the tip on seating I shoot factory good quality brass ammo so lengths should be in spec.

Another thought that is a real stretch: These guns can be finicky. Different projectiles have different ogive profiles that could effect feeding. Maybe try some different ammo?

If I recall. I posted the description of the veteran's incident several years ago.

 

[Kaiser715]

Another thought that is a real stretch: These guns can be finicky. Different projectiles have different ogive profiles that could effect feeding. Maybe try some different ammo?

If I recall. I posted the description of the veteran's incident several years ago.

I’ve tried about every conceivable load out there with no dice. Worse comes to worse I’ve heard lugerman works on these albeit slowly I may just end up sending it to him to get up and running.

 

[GEM]

Possibly a follower issue. Check the follower for burrs or deformation. Particularly look at the bolt hold open lug and the milled slots. Does the follower move freely in the magazine? Any evidence of wear at the follower position when at the fully loaded position?

I had one of these guns that the walls of magazine well were deformed and did not let the follower pass freely. The fix was to make an expander tool from hard wood (maple).

I’ve tried about every conceivable load out there with no dice. Worse comes to worse I’ve heard lugerman works on these albeit slowly I may just end up sending it to him to get up and running.

 

[Loewe]

A knowledgeable friend offered the following thoughts:

"There is such a thread on the 98k forum. The pics show this pistol was made in 7.63 mm, not 9mm. Owner says it is in 9mm caliber but feeds poorly. If this pistol was made in 7.63 (and it was) it may still have its original 7.63 mag follower. I am pretty certain 7.63 and 9 don’t use the same follower, so it’s not surprising it won’t feed properly. And, of course, the gun has been altered from the form in which it left Oberndorf circa 1916. Bob"


"Posting is OK with me; serial range for the Red nines is established in Breathed and Schroeder and elsewhere."

 

[Kaiser715]

A knowledgeable friend offered the following thoughts:

"There is such a thread on the 98k forum. The pics show this pistol was made in 7.63 mm, not 9mm. Owner says it is in 9mm caliber but feeds poorly. If this pistol was made in 7.63 (and it was) it may still have its original 7.63 mag follower. I am pretty certain 7.63 and 9 don’t use the same follower, so it’s not surprising it won’t feed properly. And, of course, the gun has been altered from the form in which it left Oberndorf circa 1916. Bob"


"Posting is OK with me; serial range for the Red nines is established in Breathed and Schroeder and elsewhere."

Thanks for the help I went ahead and did a very thorough cleaning on the gun and actually found a small piece of brass that was jammed in one of the bolt rails towards the chamber area with carbon caked on to the point it was unnoticeable. After dealing with that and a thorough lube the pistol seems to be running 100% now. I was under the impression all the police rework 9mm broomhandles were originally red 9s that were converted over to the police pattern, thanks for that info. I believe it has a 9mm follower going off memory I’ll have to check on that.