Opinions on this C96 Mauser (Broomhandle)

Hello all, I recently acquired this piece and would appreciate any input.
I strongly believe it to be a PreWar Commercial. That being said, the safety doesn't have the hole through it. I don't think it's a Wartime Commercial as the hammer stamp that it would have isn't there. Not sure if a replacement part or one of the non-standard pistols. I don't think it's a replacement part. The mag floor plate is however. All other numbers are matching. I believe it to have been refinished at some point. Right now I'm just curious for opinions and reassure myself that I got a good deal. I'll say what I paid later.
Thank you all.

I'm doing the pictures in a separate post as I cannot figure out how to post multiple pics at once in this post

Try this tutorial... https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=56629

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Originally Posted by jasonafair

I believe it to have been refinished at some point.

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I agree, looks to have been polished and blued.

Is there any way to to a drag and drop for photos?

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Originally Posted by jasonafair

drag and drop for photos

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Don't think so, just the one way. What means are you on? Phone, tablet, laptop?

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Don't think so, just the one way. What means are you on? Phone, tablet, laptop?

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Post via laptop but browsing on phone. I was hoping to be able to drag multiple photos from computer to the archive. Just lazy...
Do you think it would do any harm if I did the boil and card treatment on this one?

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Originally Posted by jasonafair

boil and card

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It shouldn't really do anything. That should only have effect (I think) right after the bluing has finished... What is it you hope to achieve?

To see if it brings up any rust on the internals.

Here are some photos of my pre WW1 commercial Mauser, also check the bore for number of grooves too. My stock is also matching. This pistol was purchased from a US veteran years ago.Attachment 114710Attachment 114711Attachment 114712Attachment 114713

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Originally Posted by jasonafair

To see if it brings up any rust on the internals.

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I don't think it'll do anything.

Any guess as to value?

You're in FLA and I'm in Canada, our prices don't reflect yours...maybe have a look at some of the gunauctions online and see what pistols like yours are SELLING for...not asking...

What condition is the bore ? also hoe many groves ? even reblued, bore condition is important as a refinished Mauser is more
likely to be shot more often than all original. I would value my M96 at between $1800 to $2000, if reblued cut that price in half

6 grooves. Bore looks good but I wouldn’t call it bright. Maybe after I clean it better...

The very first photo in the very first post shows the "U" proof stamp with completely abraded edges.

This pistol has been heavily scrubbed and refinished. Which is a serious killer-criterion for a collector.
Nevertheless, it's still probably worth 1K or so, just because it's a C96.

And Jim has made the right comment: see what they are actually selling for. I have recorded sale prices for my guns for years, so I have a fair idea what they might fetch at auction. Bottom-value estimates are recorded in a spread sheet, with a warning to my heirs that if they are offered less, someone is taking advantage of them. In some cases - the Garand, for instance - the prices are now so sky-high and rising, that it is hard to believe what I actually paid.

Thanks all for the replies. I knew it wasn’t going to be a museum piece but was surprised at the refinishing when the package arrived. At least it looks like a nicely done refinish. Based on the feedback, it is worth a little more than I paid so that is good. It will make a nice shooter I believe. I have ordered a repro wood stock so we’ll see how that goes.