C96 in unusual caliber?

[Dalebert]

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Family legend is that WW ll vet liberated this C96 from the "Mauser Mansion". Current owner believes this C96 is in experimental or rare 9mm Long caliber. Has not be shot, but has ammo grandpa brought back (one cartridge shown) that tends to support notion.

Photos are not that great, but gun appears to me to be near mint.

Have any of you experts heard of a C96 in a non-standard longer 9mm caliber?

Information

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[Colonel Enfield]

There was a 9mm Mauser Export cartridge developed at some point about 1908 for the C96; based on the picture I think that's the cartridge in question, at least according to my copy of Cartridges of the World.

It says the 9mm Mauser round was developed for the African and South American markets, packing more punch than the 9mm Parabellum round we're all familiar with. CoTW further notes the round wasn't a huge success and was discontinued in 1914 before briefly being revived in the 1930s.
The book further notes the commercial factory loads for the round were a 123 or 128gr FMJ round with a muzzle velocity of about 1362 feet per second and the cartridges are now collector's items - so in other words, don't fire them!

The reference books I have on the Mauser Broomhandle all indicate the 9mm Mauser Export model C96s are quite rare and highly collectible - the example you've shown is in a beautiful condition indeed, so definitely something to cherish and look after!

[Patrick Chadwick]

"There was a 9mm Mauser Export cartridge developed at some point about 1908 for the C96;..."


Could very well be so. Measure the case length! The 9mm Mauser Export is about 25mm long. If the case is about 23mm, then it could be a 9mm Bergmann. The base diameters are the same, so it would be advisable to make a chamber cast to be really sure!


If it is a "legit" rechambering, it should be marked on the barrel (look underneath!) to prevent confusion with the standard version.

[UNPROFOR1994]

Another possibility is the 8,15x25 (DWM 580) round which looks ver similar to the 9x25 round. Aren't there any more markings on the pistol and/or the bullet?

[Colonel Enfield]

A cartridge headstamp and some measurements would certainly help narrow it down, I agree.

[DocAV]

That is a standard WW I production NS Mauser C96 in 7,63x25. It may have been reblued as well (Maybe after WW I.); Serial # tells it all.

The Cartridge could be a 9mm Export (M1908) or 9x25, or it could be a 9x23 Bergman (LARGO) or a 9x23 Steyr (M1911).. Obviously picked up concurrently with the Pistol, but not connected to it.

The "8,15 Mauser Pistol" cartridge is so rare, it is not even worth considering ( Known examples are Presentation Pieces for King of Egypt, and some custom made Commercial Carbines)

BTW, "8,15" is a commercial calibre designation, not a Military one ( barrel Bore would be 7,9mm).

Doc AV