The M96 was so very much ahead of its time and an excellent example of German engineering at its finest.
History somewhere along a long line changed significantly, allowing copying by countries like China, to erode the good name of German engineering, as much of their copying failed over and over again.
Yes they were and are good at certain low cost items, but in short, much of it is crap, and reflects, "what you pay is what you get" syndrome.
I look back at Milsurps specifically, and it was Germany/the United States/England/Australia/New Zealand and Japan who were the worlds main designers of war equipment, with Russia in there too.
Have those days of brilliance gone, as we the group who own history in our hands, in rifles, pistols and other Milsurps, continue to repair and rebuild stuff from the past that we can keep going?
Bit nostalgic this morning!!
Only certain more poorly led countries have allowed their industrial capacities to decline.
As for China, it is worth bearing in mind that Japan was also known to the average person as a producer of "cheap junk" at one time. China has a long history of technological development and artisanship of a very high order, but her stultifying social system and religions kept that from developing as it could have. Anyone who thinks China is not on the way to the top technologically is deluding themselves, in a few short years China's average income will reach the point where her huge internal market will make exporting largely unnecessary. Those who have come to depend on her exports will then find themselves going begging for them. Of course, China will keep her exports cheap for as long as it takes to thoroughly destroy the technological and industrial bases of her competitors who are willing to play that game: mostly the English-speaking countries whose leadership classes are largely donkeys when they are not simply traitors.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
Only certain more poorly led countries have allowed their industrial capacities to decline.
As for China, it is worth bearing in mind that Japan was also known to the average person as a producer of "cheap junk" at one time. China has a long history of technological development and artisanship of a very high order, but her stultifying social system and religions kept that from developing as it could have. Anyone who thinks China is not on the way to the top technologically is deluding themselves, in a few short years China's average income will reach the point where her huge internal market will make exporting largely unnecessary. Those who have come to depend on her exports will then find themselves going begging for them. Of course, China will keep her exports cheap for as long as it takes to thoroughly destroy the technological and industrial bases of her competitors who are willing to play that game: mostly the English-speaking countries whose leadership classes are largely donkeys when they are not simply traitors.
For some time now I have been asking the question: What happens when (or if) China stops exporting?
I think we'll be deep in it; and have to rebuild industries that have been sold off for the profit of the few.
As for the Mauser C96, it's a very good pistol. They still get good results in the Service Pistol competitions here. Excellent piece of engineering.
The Mauser was always my dream pistol when I was a kid, after seeing it used in "The Second-Best Secret Agent in the Whole Wide World". When I was buying a couple of Star autos ($85 & $105) as a teenager, the seller mentioned he knew someone local who was selling a nice example, complete with wooden holster/stock - for $400. I didn't have the money back then....
A lot of C96s came back here as war trophies from WWI. A particularly popular trophy no doubt, most in 9mm I suppose.
Somewhere on the net there is a photo of Fritz Haber posing with one to which he had a telescopic sight fitted, a rather far-fetched assemblage to say the least, but perfect for a perpetual adolescent trying to be "plus Prusse que les Prusses".
Last edited by Surpmil; 06-14-2020 at 12:19 PM.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
No chance you're confusing Fritz Haber with Han Solo?
I personally think that a scope on any pistol is pointless; it negates the only real advantage of the pistol and defeats the whole purpose. Reminds me of that Monty Python skit where the actors are all performing in a ditch, wearing boxes strapped to their feet to raise them up to ground level. In other words, hobble yourself with an unnecessary handicap, then go to extraordinary lengths to make up for it. BUT, if you're scoping a pistol, a flat-shooter with a long barrel and provision for attaching a stock is probably your least ridiculous option.
No chance you're confusing Fritz Haber with Han Solo?
No chance at all. The photo is taken in a street, presumably on the western or eastern fronts, he is wearing a trench coat and service cap, standing with legs spread and aiming the assemblage down the street. With twelve o'clock as his direction of aim the photo was taken from about the 10 o'clock position. It's still out there on the Net no doubt, but not labelled as Haber.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
No chance at all. The photo is taken in a street, presumably on the western or eastern fronts, he is wearing a trench coat and service cap, standing with legs spread and aiming the assemblage down the street. With twelve o'clock as his direction of aim the photo was taken from about the 10 o'clock position. It's still out there on the Net no doubt, but not labelled as Haber.
Now you've got me intrigued, but I haven't been able to find it. All the scoped Mausers I've found seem to be modern (or fictional), so I'd love to see something period. If anyone has a copy of this photo, please share!
Now you've got me intrigued, but I haven't been able to find it. All the scoped Mausers I've found seem to be modern (or fictional), so I'd love to see something period. If anyone has a copy of this photo, please share!
Ian on Forgotten Weapons did this video on a C96 Conehammer carbine with a done in period scope fitted....so, it is plausible.
Originally Posted by Gil Boyd
The M96 was so very much ahead of its time and an excellent example of German engineering at its finest./the United States
PM
