unfired mauser c96 question

[killjoy1137]

So this guy has a Mauser c96 broom handle for sale. He says that in WW2, his grandfather raided a Mauser factory and stuffed one of these in his coat. According to him it is unfired and never refinished. It looks like its brand new. Its got the stock with it as well. He wants $3000 for it and I was wondering if that's worth it or not.

[1-M-42]

if the story is legit, stock number matches and all the parts match, well worth it.

[killjoy1137]

In your opinion, what would you value it at?

[swifty]

Ignore the story, unless he has the paperwork where it was a bring-back.

[SKSer45]

oooo its purdy I agree though papers is important. But it looks to be in excellent condition! Can see the Mauser Banner right on it

[killjoy1137]

oooo its purdy I agree though papers is important. But it looks to be in excellent condition! Can see the Mauser Banner right on it

I agree. When I first saw it I thought it was fake just because its hard to find them that nice.

[1-M-42]

I've been looking for a good C96 for years, those that are top flight can go for several thousand. I'd have an expert look it over for sure.

[swifty]

Thats what I was thinking, and he claims he had it appraised at 3500 but he kept calling it a p38. Why am I going to believe him if he doesn't even know what its called?

He might be completely innocent and just does not know guns. It was his grandfather's story that has probably been told a few times.

Buy the gun, not the story.

[killjoy1137]

He might be completely innocent and just does not know guns. It was his grandfather's story that has probably been told a few times.

Buy the gun, not the story.

This is could be. I think I would have to get a second opinion on this before I made my official decision.

[ATS76]

If the finishing is original, all matching, like new bore etc, $3,000 is reasonable. This can be a rebuilt one. Omega offered rebuilt C96 about 3 years ago. Just from my memory, the last price was $1,500.

[SVT-40]

The story is BS. Mauser ceased production of C96 pistols in 1937. So why would a C96 pistol be still in the "factory" in 1945???? It's easy to document the date the pistol was produced based on the serial number. So just get the serial number and do a internet check on the serial number.......

In addition original C96 pistols were produced in a high polish blue. The safety and sight ladder should be a bright "fire blue" color. That C96 is mat black which screams of being refinished. If it's truly "unfired" the bore should be mirror bright. Bear in mind these pistols were re-barreled like crazy by many places such as Federal Ordinance.

Buy the pistol not the story.

[SKSer45]

Yeah that does look too nice but you never know. I would check this book out called Mauser Pistolen by Weaver, Speed, and Scmhid. Its very similar to the 98k Mauser Collectors book and it has everything you need to know about Pistols.

[beetle]

The story is BS. Mauser ceased production of C96 pistols in 1937. So why would a C96 pistol be still in the "factory" in 1945???? It's easy to document the date the pistol was produced based on the serial number. So just get the serial number and do a internet check on the serial number.......

In addition original C96 pistols were produced in a high polish blue. The safety and sight ladder should be a bright "fire blue" color. That C96 is mat black which screams of being refinished. If it's truly "unfired" the bore should be mirror bright. Bear in mind these pistols were re-barreled like crazy by many places such as Federal Ordinance.

Buy the pistol not the story.

I agree 100%. The finish on both the pistol AND stock look incorrect to me. For comparison here is my pre-war commercial. now granted the earlier guns were finished to a higher degree, but the bluing should be similar. As svt-40 states some of the small parts (trigger, sight elevation lever, safety should be fired blue (a bright iridiscent blue).




By the way, might want to pass on that attaching the stock in California is illegal (fails the Assault Weapon law as a short barreled rifle)

[killjoy1137]

I agree 100%. The finish on both the pistol AND stock look incorrect to me. For comparison here is my pre-war commercial. now granted the earlier guns were finished to a higher degree, but the bluing should be similar. As svt-40 states some of the small parts (trigger, sight elevation lever, safety should be fired blue (a bright iridiscent blue).




By the way, might want to pass on that attaching the stock in California is illegal (fails the Assault Weapon law as a short barreled rifle)

Thanks for the info everyone, i really appreciate the help. If the story were true, this was going to be more of a display item with the stock and all, but if the seller wont come down on his price I may have to pass on this.

[saki302]

The hammer, bolt, and trigger pack (visible from the rear) will also be in the white on an original gun. You can always tella reblue job when these parts are black.

The fire blue done to the small parts is spectacular when you see a pristine example.

-Dave