C96 Broomhandle - BOLO Prices in Canada

[sledge]

Looking for help pricing out a handgun.

Love the broomhandles but the 12.6 prohib status hurts the valuation on any handgun. Luger prices are cheaper in Canada than the USA for that reason - and every year there are fewer 12.6 license holders around.

So was wondering what the ballpark range of values for a bolo was here in Canada. I admit it has been awhile since I have seen any for sale, and the restricted C96s are now in the 2k range.

Cheers,

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[Sentryduty]

I honestly have no idea, I know the Restricted C96 values since I have one, and you are right that they getting expensive. As a 12.6 gun I would think the value would diminish to 50% of Restricted value, apples to apples condition examples.

In the interest of preserving these guns from the smelter, a professional rebarrel to Restricted length would be a good option, however I cannot think of a smith that could/would tackle the work. I know some Lugers have been successfully converted and it does boost their Canadian market value as they are then available to younger, non-12.6 licence holders like me.

[sledge]

Well that is a good start, at 50% the restricted value. What would an all matching good to very good C96 commercial (no military markings) go for? Am I right in thinking it would sell for $2000 up here?

[Sentryduty]

I purchased mine, which was exactly what your describing, an M30 Commercial, back in 2011 in the range of $1000-1250, but even at that time most similar guns were at the $1500-2000 range. So anywhere in that range would be about right.

I have seen relic conditions guns in the sub-$1000 territory but, when I say relic condition, I mean looked somewhere between a barn find and a battlefield dig up.

On other references, some matching broomhandles is excellent condition have enjoyed a huge price boom in Canada staggering +$2500 but those are either antique large ring hammers, or other special cases.

My 50% value "guess" is based on the typical observed asking/sale prices of other pieces that have a Restricted counterpart, usually revolvers. A restricted "example" vintage S&W revolver might be $500-700 whereas a similar frame 12.6 revolver would be at the $250-350 price point. Beyond that it is a hard thing to really measure.

On a similar topic I have used this site as a great resource for history and identification, and to dispel some "facts" that I though I knew.

Mauser C-96

[Eaglelord17]

In the interest of preserving these guns from the smelter, a professional rebarrel to Restricted length would be a good option, however I cannot think of a smith that could/would tackle the work. I know some Lugers have been successfully converted and it does boost their Canadian market value as they are then available to younger, non-12.6 licence holders like me.

The C96 barrel is part of the upper frame, not a twist off barrel. To rebarrel, you either have to cut of the barrel and thread the stub with a new barrel (it has been done in the past with luger barrels), or manufacture a new upper assembly.

To the OP, the biggest issue you will run into is people aren't going to want to pay a lot. It is a limited market, that gets smaller every year.

[Sentryduty]

True, however modern rebarreling of C96's to common 9mm did enjoy a period of popularity somewhar recently. My C96 has been rebarreled with a fresh bore in original 7.63mm sometime in the last few decades. While not a screw off barrel, it surprised me how often these guns have been rebarreled.

[wjthompson]

So many of these passed threw China and companies like the former Federal Ordinance in California picked up large piles of surplus Chinese broomhandles in the 70s. Some were no better than scrap. Most were worn out. I have an almost new looking bolo I picked up at an auction cheap about 12 years ago. The only serial numbers that match Fed Ord made it happen. They put a new 9mm barrel on it and it is very hard to see the line between the slide and new barrel. They stamped the barrel in an almost old English style script "9 mm Parabellum". The magazine spring is a bit strong if you load 10 it will jam after the first shot so I load 8 and all is well. The trigger is extremely light, less than a pound and it only takes a 1/4-inch of travel or a little less for it to fire. Consequently I don't leave it loaded or unattended. It can fire so quickly, as you just need to twitch your finger, it is mistaken for full auto.

[Frederick303]

Federal ordnance began importing the Chinese guns around 1984, not prior. China was closed to the US market in the 1970s.

They were pretty cheap back then, but most were completely shot out.

[Bruce McAskill]

Most of the Chinese return C96 pistols were bored out and rifled to 9mm. The barrel wasn't changed on them. Those that were redone in 7.63 were bored out and a new liner inserted in the barrel.