Interesting c96

I am fairly certain that this started life as a "wartime commercial" model in 7.63 and later converted to 9mm (probably by a Brit) since it has the 1000 Meter adjustable sight (900 meter is omitted). The barel has been cut to 4" as well. I have never been a fan of the safeties on the 2nd variant (you have to physically pull the hammer back a bit when cocked and manipulate the safety with your other hand) but it is not like I will carry it in the field anyway.


A few interesting things about it (at least to me)

• Grips carry a previous serial number but this has been lines out and the correct numbers stamped inside the panels
• The barrel appears to have been cut just forward the receiver and a 9mm barrel section fabricated on (see pics with line traveling the diameter of the barrel and difference in finish between barrel and receiver)
• The pistol is numbers matching and British Proofed, but not import marked for the U.S. (I believe the English proofs show it being exported in the 1960's)
• The barrel is exceptional (as a replacement should be)
• Although the pistol exhibits the typical "British Dip" the safety and trigger seem to have been spared from this hideous finish and still wear their "fire blue"
• The holster has numerous names on it, "JUNY (or JUNG) 6/2/38" and "HAUG" a mystery I am sure that is lost to time, it is also missing its belt loops

I replaced all springs in it and ran 50 rounds through it and it functioned properly and was significantly accurate (shot high on the lowest setting until I moved out to 50 yards.
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---------- Post added at 03:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:23 PM ----------

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Nice pistol, I've always wanted one of those.

Those British proof marks........ I hate to call them proof marks, I'd prefer to call them butchery marks - are absolutely outrageous. Words just fail me at the sheer bodgery, thoughtlesness and butchery at the hammer and punch wielding imbecile who a) did it and b) the manager or overseer who let such work pass........ Disgraceful.....

"Jung" and "Haug" are both German family names.


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Rather a neat barrel graft! I think it might be a 9mm Luger barrel that has been fitted by screwing it into the bored and threaded stub of the old barrel. The front end, of course, turned down and fitted with the C96-style foresight.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Patrick Chadwick

I think it might be a 9mm Luger barrel that has been fitted by screwing it into the bored and threaded stub of the old barrel.

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I think maybe...it looks like it anyway and makes sense.

Thanks guys. You may be right pat, it does look like that is a possibility, I will look at it more closely tomorrow. I wonder if a German or a brit did the conversion

"I wonder if a Germanhttps://www.milsurps.com/autolinker/images/link6.gif or a brit did the conversion"


Such work requires reproof both in Britain and Germany. As there are British proof marks on the system, slide assembly and barrel, but no German proof marks on the barrel (which would have been mandatory, together with it being numbered to match the rest of the system) I conclude that it is British work.

Patrick,
Thank you, you are most likely correct

Probably Capture in WW I ( leather style is typical), and then re-done in Britain, maybe prior to WW II. Birmingham Proofing, (pre 1950s).
Germany did a lot of "commercialising" post-1920 of WW I C96 guns, usually fitting a Luger barrel to the Barrel stub ( with Luger front sight.) these will bear German Proof house (commercial) Markings.

Being "short Barrel", it is probably the original Barrel, cut off, rebored and sleeved back into the stub, and rechambered. The work is very craftsman-like, probably done by a Good Birmingham or London 'smith ( if London, would have gone to the Company of Gunmakers London Proof House, so must be Birmingham or close by.).

Nice example.

Doc AV