C96 Bolo Mauser Broomhandle Commercial Pistol

[Aragorn243]

My Christmas present, half anyway, my wife agreed to the purchase before I took off for the show.

Mike made me an offer I couldn't refuse on this. Always wanted one but price has been a huge setback on the few I've seen.

It's rough. Some pitting on exterior obviously and the original finish has been replaced by worn patina. The bore is smooth but shiny for all the good that does. Hammer wouldn't stay back when I picked it up.

Got it home, took it apart. Had a very hard time getting the firing pin out. It was deformed on the hammer end and wouldn't fit out the opening like it was supposed to. Had to get the built-up metal scraped off and then it finally came out. Tip was bent fairly significantly, and it straightened easily enough but then just fell off so have a new one on the way. As badly as it was worn, probably for the best.

Interior is rust and pitting free. Only worn part besides the firing pin was the sear arm which I filed down a little and now the hammer and action work correctly.

Mike thought it came from China and I suspect this is correct as its import marked, not from China but Germany but they usually mark the origination, not where it ultimately came from. Not positive on that. The barrel wear is why I suspect it.

I had to get all the toys for it. New grips are coming, I don't think these are original to it as the "grooves" aren't really grooves but cuts and there are way too many of them. New firing pin hasn't arrived yet either. Leather holster and cleaning rod set are coming from India. I got some 8 round loading clips. This is a 10 round magazine but no sense loading it to the max. The lanyard ring is actually a 5/8th inch key ring. It will do until I can locate a correct one. Seems to be about the right size but not quite as thick and not as form fitted as the originals.

The stock surprised me by arriving two weeks early before Christmas. This is a US made one, not Chinese. It looks a lot closer to the originals and its good quality. The Chinese don't look right, and they use Phillips's head screws. Cost a fair amount more but I think it was worth it. Fitting took about 45 minutes. The mounting bracket was a little wider than the slot on the pistol and took some filing. Has a surprisingly good feel at the shoulder although it puts it right at the distance my eyes don't want to focus anymore.

Now I just need to locate some ammo and see if it works. If all is well, I'm thinking of getting the barrel relined.

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