Prussian Contract Mauser C96 in 9mm

[deoxys987]

Hey guys, I'm picking this up from a friend for a reasonable price, and wanted some input on it. I'm told that it's a Prussian Contract Mauser C96 in 9mm (pics show a disassembled gun with a 9mm casing in the chamber to verify, since it isn't a stepped chamber it looks to be 9mm.) From what he said it's all numbers matching minus a "locking plate" as he calls it which I'm sure isn't the right part name, but said he's including the broken one that is numbers matching to the gun. He said the SN # puts it right in with the Prussian contract guns, and the rest of the parts seem to be correct. It also looks like someone had started to get the gun ready for a barrel re-line job as the first inch or two has had the rifling counterbored. Any recommendations on a place to send it to so that I can have the barrel re-lined properly? I heard Luger Man might be iffy, I've heard that Redmans "Might" not do 9mm re-line's and the guy from the Broom Closet in Florida passed away a few years back, unfortunately. Any other places I should look into that will do this properly?

[Syntax Error]

All "Red 9" 9x19 Parabellum Broomhandles were made for the German Army during WW1, so if it's a genuine 9mm Broomhandle (which it looks like it is), then they are all Prussian Contract. Approximately ~150,000 made for the German Army during the war. The lock frame appears to be mismatched as you state, so that hurts the value of the gun, but from a shooter perspective, if everything works as intended, then it shouldn't be an issue.

As for relining - is Redman's still doing them? I'm not sure if it's really worth the expense, as your gun is only original once, and I've never seen a counterbored Broomhandle, but it will probably still shoot okay. If you do plan on shooting it, inspect the gun carefully for any cracks or damage (especially in the receiver extension behind the bolt stop - this area is known to bow out due to damage), I recommend you get a LugerMan replacement bolt stop to preserve the numbers-matching bolt stop, and definitely replace all the springs with factory spec Wolff springs and don't shoot any excessively hot 9mm (like 9mm +P) out of the gun.

[highpower]

I hope you aren’t paying a whole lot for it. Besides the broken lock plate, it’s missing the original grips, originals are numbered to the gun and have a large “9” carved in them. Also, it kind of looks like it was reblued over some deep pitting. Along with the counter bored barrel, I personally would have to get it for $700 or less strictly as a shooter.

[deoxys987]

All "Red 9" 9x19 Parabellum Broomhandles were made for the German Army during WW1, so if it's a genuine 9mm Broomhandle (which it looks like it is), then they are all Prussian Contract. Approximately ~150,000 made for the German Army during the war. The lock frame appears to be mismatched as you state, so that hurts the value of the gun, but from a shooter perspective, if everything works as intended, then it shouldn't be an issue.

As for relining - is Redman's still doing them? I'm not sure if it's really worth the expense, as your gun is only original once, and I've never seen a counterbored Broomhandle, but it will probably still shoot okay. If you do plan on shooting it, inspect the gun carefully for any cracks or damage (especially in the receiver extension behind the bolt stop - this area is known to bow out due to damage), I recommend you get a LugerMan replacement bolt stop to preserve the numbers-matching bolt stop, and definitely replace all the springs with factory spec Wolff springs and don't shoot any excessively hot 9mm (like 9mm +P) out of the gun.

If it's any help, it does come with the original matching lock (though broken) if that helps value at all. Redmans does the 7.63 re-line but not 9mm. This will be going to LugerMan at some point to have a new barrel put on since that's generally easier than re-boring a 9mm I'm told. He said he'd inspect it and let me know which the better option will be.

[deoxys987]

No, I think given condition, and bore, I got a good price, it was sub $700. It'll be worth sending to LugerMan for a re-bore/barrel replacement, and I might get a nice set of repro red 9 grips and have him fit them too. It's under the consensus that it was refinished a long time ago which doesn't surprise me.

[highpower]

In that case, I too, would get it. How much does Redmans want to reline a barrel?

[Syntax Error]

As a shooter, $700 or less is perfectly reasonable. Hopefully the cost to replace the barrel won't be too high to make it not worth it any more. Personally, as a shooter, I'd just use the original barrel as-is.

[Syntax Error]

Not all Red 9s have the "Red 9" burned into the grips. That was done on a field-armorer level and not from the factory, so the styles of "9" will be different, and not all of the Prussian Contract 9mm Broomhandles necessarily will have the Red 9s burned into the grips.

[highpower]

Not all Red 9s have the "Red 9" burned into the grips. That was done on a field-armorer level and not from the factory, so the styles of "9" will be different, and not all of the Prussian Contract 9mm Broomhandles necessarily will have the Red 9s burned into the grips.

True, but they will be numbered to the gun.

[deoxys987]

In that case, I too, would get it. How much does Redmans want to reline a barrel?

$235 but they don't do 9mm, just 7.63.

[deoxys987]

As a shooter, $700 or less is perfectly reasonable. Hopefully the cost to replace the barrel won't be too high to make it not worth it any more. Personally, as a shooter, I'd just use the original barrel as-is.

I'm kind of on the fence with that too, but depending on how deep the counter-bore is I'll probably send it out for good measure. Even with sending it out for a new barrel install and headspace I'll still be slightly under 1k into it.