Can We Discuss Broomhandle Mausers?

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I have decided to pursue the acquisition of a C96 Broomhandle Mauser or similar variant. Ideally a Red 9 but due to relative rarity and cost, I am not going to be ultra picky.

I would appreciate any commentary and of course PICS! Any input is welcome by current or former owners. Are these weapons delicate, as in needing a "shooter's kit" to safely shoot and avoid original parts breakage? Any thoughts on the original 7.63 caliber, as to ammo availability? Besides that and 9mm, were these weapons ever chambered in .30 Luger? That caliber is easy to get and I have a small supply for my Luger.

I am also curious if attaching the rifle stock creates a SBR or any other legal issues.

If anyone has a lead on an available C96 that isn't exorbitantly priced, please let me know!

BR

[Bobby Ricigliano]

P.S. I know I can google these topics, and I have. I just put a higher value on the feedback from actual owners, especially CG'ers.

[highpower]

I have a couple. Are you going to shoot it or do you want a high end collector grade gun? One of mine is a beat to death Chinese contract Bolo made in the 1930's and the other is a nigh condition 1916 Commercial with all the original accessories. For shooting, I would consider just getting a nicely refinished example. For collecting, the only limit will be the depth of your wallet.

They are cool as all get out and I love to take them apart from time to time just to see how all the finely machined pieces fit together. The beater gets a lot of looks at the range and most of the youngsters have no clue as to what it is.

I shoot the Chinese gun, but I just can't bring myself to shoot the WWI version.

Gratuitous pics of my Broomhandles.

Matching number 1916 with original matching stock. Includes 1916 dated holster and cleaning rod.








My beater Broomhandle is the one on the bottom in the picture. I bought the pair for $250 a few years ago and kept the best one. I had the barrel relined and installed a new set of springs. The slide assembly matches itself as does the frame assembly. Unfortunately, they don't match each other.




HTH

[Rogerbutthead]

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/gu...30011/download - ATF C&R list with exceptions from the NFA

Page 34 lists Chinese made copies of Mauser Broomhandles made before 1945 with original Chinese made detachable stocks.
Page 38 lists Mauser Broomhandles made before 1940 with original German made detachable stocks.

I don't see any exception for German made Mauser Broomhandles with original Chinese made detachable stocks.

I have one Red Nine which I think has a refinished stock and some leather repairs on the stock harness - it is buried somewhere in one of my safes - never fired it. Much nicer looking Red Nines are on the internet.

I have one Chinese stocked Broomhandle that I bought in the 80's - I specifically asked if it could handle modern 9mm ammunition and the gun store employees assured me that it could. At the range that same day, after a few rounds, the bolt stop broke and a part banged my hand as it flew off - no damage but a stinging pain and the jolt of surprise of a defective weapon.

The gun store replaced the part but I never shot it since.

YMMV

The Broomhandles were detached from their stocks during my ATF visit so I was not questioned about them.

[Paulie Lugnuts]

We have a Bolo from the early 1920s. Can't remember the year. Definitely gets attention at the range. A little difficult to load from the stripper clip. Complicated in a typical German way. Lots of pieces. Othias from C+R senal has a good video, if you're interested. Absolutely get one if you have a chance. Here's ours.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Thanks fellas, I appreciate the pics and info. I guess whether I shoot it or not depends on the condition is when I get it. I have seen some newish looking Red 9's online that were obviously refinished with repro grips, but I would still jump on of those.

I am going to keep browsing the various boards and GB. A historical search even shows a few that have been sold on Calguns in the last year or two. I didn't think I could find a nice Luger for under 1K, but I did. Maybe I will get lucky here too. I sold off several rifles recently and a nice broomhandle would surely make up for those rifles that were rehomed.

[spb_la]

Got one because I always wanted it. Not collector grade, but clean and functional, with decent bore.
Feels very awkward in my hand - it does feel like you're holding a broom
And bore axis is way above top of your hand.

Still love it though - just about the coolest pistol in my opinion.

[musketjon]

If you don't have the NFA stamp, putting the stock on it constitutes a SBR, unless it is EXACTLY in the configuration the ATF book allows. I have a Mauser made in the late 30's but it has a repro holster/stock so I can't legally put them together. Mine is in 7.63 caliber. Finding ammo is no problem as I roll my own for everything I own, except, of course, 22 rimfire.
Jon

[Milsurp Collector]

Found this in a pawn shop. Check out the pawn shops in your area.

[musketjon]

Highpower,
Who did the barrel lining on your C96? Mine needs to be done and I don't want to convert it to 9mm.
Thanks
Jon

[jl7422]

There are lots of hammered Broomhandles out there that are IMO, not safe to shoot. Check the bolt-stop area of any potential purchase. If it is deformed or showing signs of abuse, pass on the gun. Commercial ammo is available in 7.63. (Don't use 7.62 Tokarev.) Wolff makes spring kits.

For a first purchase I would avoid the Chinese copies/imports if possible.

[highpower]

Highpower,
Who did the barrel lining on your C96? Mine needs to be done and I don't want to convert it to 9mm.
Thanks
Jon

I had a friend of mine do it many years ago. He wasn't a gunsmith, but rather a very good machinist. He used an old section of .30 caliber rifle barrel for the blank and reamed a new chamber.

Unfortunately, he passed on a while back, so I have no idea of who could do it these days.

[gun toting monkeyboy]

I have a 1930 Commercial model. It was a Chinese import, and it was beat to hell when I got it. I sent it off to The Broom Closet in Stark, Florida, and had the barrel relined, and the whole thing checked out and reblued. It is a great gun. I don't shoot it as often as I like. But I do use it to troll gun pages every so often with an "I need to get more clips for my pistol" thread. Normally the magazine Nazis reach a rolling boil in about a day. Then I come in and stomp on them for being wrong, and show pictures of the broomhandle and the aforementioned clips. Always good for a laugh...

-Mb

[musketjon]

Thanks GTM.
There is/was a guy in Washington state who lined Broomhandle and '73 Winchester barrels but I have lost his contact information. I'll have to check out Broom Closet. Thanks for the heads up.
Jon

[Discogodfather]

Everything you wanted to know about the broomhandle (and more) in this long but excellent history: