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 Some pitting on exterior obviously and the original finish has been replaced by worn patina.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.

Information

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[Gil Boyd]

Steve,
Nice piece regardless mate, seen some service in its time.

[Low & Slow]

Big fun to shoot with the stock. I picked up a batch of Com Bloc ammo many years back (either 9X18 or 7.62X25, can't recall which) on stripper clips. These clips work like a charm in the Mauser.

[RCS]

My son rebuilt a few of these Mauser Model 96 pistols a few ago when they were being imported. Yours looks like
a Bolo with the shorter barrel. A complete spring kit was always used on the rebuilds.

The Soviet 7,62x25 will damage your Mauser, I had original Remington 30 Mauser factory ammo and also bought
empty brass from Midway. You can make 7,63 Mauser from 223/5,56mm but have to be careful about the extractor
groove is a perfect fit as new extractors are difficult to find.

My advice, buy loading dies and quality empty brass with Unique powder will be safer and provide enough ammo to
shoot. Wear good ear protection when shooting with the stock

[browningautorifle]

Nice piece, one of the few I've not shot. Of the common pistols...that is.

[Aragorn243]

So if there is no rifling and the bullet will likely drop through the barrel, what happens when it is fired? A lot of flame and a reduced velocity bullet that starts tumbling as soon as it leaves the barrel? Will it hurt the pistol? Will it cycle the action?

[browningautorifle]

So if there is no rifling and the bullet will likely drop through the barrel, what happens when it is fired?

The bullet will keyhole at the muzzle and no accuracy but it won't hurt the gun. Yes, line the barrel if you can or perhaps have it bored to 9mm? It's 7.62 Mauser right now?

[Aragorn243]

Yes, it is 7.62 Mauser right now. I don't have any ammo for it but put a tokarev round in to test size it. Fits perfectly but no tightness of bullet at muzzle area. I have looked at relining, not prohibitively expensive, $250-$300 just don't know which company to use. Only found two, Lugerman and one other, Lugerman was the more expensive of the two. I'm sure there are more out there, these two just popped up in a quick search. They both bore out both the barrel and chamber and put in a liner with a shoulder at the chamber to hold it all in place. I think I'd prefer sticking with original round even though 9mm would be easier to find. I never shoot my stuff often.

[Garandy]

Not sure if you found these guys: Mauser Broomhandle Barrel Restoration Redmans Rifling and Reboring

Never used them, just aware of them.

[mmppres]

That looks alot better in the pictures than when I sold it to you. Might have some ammo floating around down in the dungeon. Will let you know. Glad you are happy with it.