Why doesn't anyone produce new historic military firearms?

[Colonel Enfield]

Tons of people want old west style guns. Part of the reason it is viable for companies to make modern repros of 1880s and earlier guns is simply due to the fact the quantity of those firearms produced were relatively low (limitations of technology etc.) and the condition the originals tend to be in is fairly poor. Coupled with the fact that since the condition is crap and the price is high very few people can reasonably afford to shoot a original.

A C96 Mauser was a very expensive firearm to produce, now it would be even worse. A better option might be that Spanish 'copy' which was simplified as it is very similar (I believe it had the name Astra 700 or something of that nature) appearance wise but would be easier to make. In regards to the Webley in .38 special, your really starting to push the limits of that design with that caliber. Generally speaking most people are more interested in swing out cylinders, and generally prefer it to be .357 so they can choose between .38 or .357.

It would go without saying that a repro Webley would have to be a bit beefier to handle the cartridge. Alternatively you could chamber it for 9mm Parabellum perhaps?

I've heard the C96 was like an intricate and diabolical clock inside so a modern repro would have to be simplified - I suspect most of the intented market really want the external appearance (because it is very cool) combined with modern metallurgy and firearms technology advances.

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[browningautorifle]

the C96 was like an intricate and diabolical clock inside

It's artwork...yes, they'd need to simplify it. Then the gun was rust blued by hand outside only. The one I had was still in the white inside.