Loading Problem with Mauser C96

[Ludwig99b0]

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a C96 on Auction Arms, from a very reputable dealer. I dismantled it: all the external and internal numbers match, and the springs are the right length. There's plenty of rifling in the bore, and everything seems to work properly. According to the serial number, it was made in about 1915, a standard "Wartime Commercial." Anyway, I bought some stripper clips and a box of Fiocchi Mauser 7.63, checked that my life insurance was still current, and went to the range. Sadly, the cartridges don't chamber properly, and the pistol doesn't quite go into battery. I attach some photos which I hope are self-explanatory. One is of the pistol unloaded, with the bolt closed; one is of the empty breech; the other three are various views of the out-of-battery condition, with a cartridge in the breech (as far as it will go). I know that a few of these pistols were made for unusual calibers - is it possible I have one of these? There is no obvious marking on the pistol to suggest this, so I guess there's a much more mundane reason.

I would be most grateful for any suggestions about this problem, however damaging it may be to my self-esteem ....

Information

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[WarPig1976]

Not familiar with these but in picture 3 it looks like if the extractor was over the rim you'd be good. I would see why it's not snapping over the rim of the cartridge. My 2c's

[arado]

Check the chamber for a stuck ruptured case. This will give you the problem described. Then comes the fun of extraction.

[Ludwig99b0]

Thanks, Warpig - I'll check the extractor function, and report back.

---------- Post added at 08:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:27 AM ----------

Thanks for your suggestion, Arado, but chamber and bore are as clean as a whistle.

[browningautorifle]

I agree with Warpig, if you drop the action from full back, does it ride over the case rim? If not then the extractor could well be seized in place. The cartridge seems to be fully seated. Can you strip the pistol and examine the extractor? If in doubt, here's a link... Mauser96 shows an exploded drawing at least.

[Ludwig99b0]

Thanks, Jim. When I dismantled the pistol, I didn't remove the extractor (various warnings against doing this unnecessarily), but just checked that it was in one piece. I'll give it a hard look - after breakfast.

[browningautorifle]

They just shoehorn in from the front. You have to pry it up and pull it forward like a Thompson if I remember right. They're worried that you will bend it or groove the retaining groove I think.

[emmagee1917]

You might try soaking the bolt in a penatrant overnight if you don't want to remove it. See if you can loosen it up.
Chris

[Ludwig99b0]

Thanks, Chris - I was just going to strip the thing when I read that. It can't possibly hurt to try your suggestion first! I buy WD-40 in gallon cans ....

[Patrick Chadwick]

I don't like the look of that case. In fact, I don't think I should be able to see it at all!
The first photos shows that the "bolt face" is recessed, and there is a further rectangular recess at the top.
The extractor should ride over the case rim and end up in that rectangular recess.
This means that the block will move so far forwards that it meets the round recess and no part of the case is visible.
Since the case does not move forwards that far, and you have not found any obstruction, the next thing to check (after the extractor itself) would be the case dimensions.

Sorry for the blindingly obvious questions, but is it really 7.63 Mauser ammo, and not something else in a box labelled 7.63?
Don't believe the box, take a look at the headstamp.
Is the ammo clean, with no bubbling on the bullets or corrosion on the brass?
Check the base diameter (max. 9.98mm) the neck, right at the mouth (max. 9.86mm), the case length (max. 25.15mm) and the bullet diameter (max. 8.46mm).
Exceeding any of these dimensions by only a few hundredths of a mm may cause a jam.