unfired mauser c96 question

[killjoy1137]

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

The gentleman is saying that the gun is a civilian version and that's why the finish is like that. Ill get a serial # from him and find out the date.

[killjoy1137]

I looked up his serial # and it was manufactured in 1932. I have also received more pics from his so here they are.

[SVT-40]

Based on those pic's the finish COULD be original... But obviously the pistol could not have been "captured" by the sellers father from the Mauser factory, as it was built in 1932.

I would RUN from this deal. If a seller is willing to lie about the source he is also willing to lie about the true condition of the gun.

[killjoy1137]

Based on those pic's the finish COULD be original... But obviously the pistol could not have been "captured" by the sellers father from the Mauser factory, as it was built in 1932.

I would RUN from this deal. If a seller is willing to lie about the source he is also willing to lie about the true condition of the gun.

I was thinking if the seller and I could agree on a reasonable price, I would meet him at a gun store near me who sells military surplus guns and older weapons and get their expert opinion. To me the bore looks very nice and shiny but It could be the lighting in the picture. What would the price of a 1932 unfired Mauser be without the story or if it truly was unfired?

[pitfighter]

$3000 buys you a lot of gun elsewhere, if there is enough doubt you should trust your instinct.
Also, as you are not an afficionado of this particular firearm with all respect to you, of course), why are you prepared to spend so much on a questionable example?

Why not save your money and buy some of the fantastic collector books on this firearm, do your research, take your time, come back another day, and enjoy this hobby.

Pit.

[jl7422]

Also, please do not assume that just because a dealer sells or stocks milsurps, that the person standing behind the counter (or anyone working there for that matter) has the first clue when it comes to authenticating a C-96, Luger, or any other collectable vintage auto-loader.

[Geologyjohn]

Killjoy, post some more photos of the quality of those last 3 the owner sent you (Post #16). Quality photos, not the crap that was originally posted. If you can get some good quality photos of the markings, etc., those of us that own Model 1930 Commercial Broomhandle's might see something that would add to this discussion, pro or con. Those last 3 photos suggest that it might be a nice piece. And how about photos of any markings that might be on the wood holster/stock? Geologyjohn

[killjoy1137]

Also, please do not assume that just because a dealer sells or stocks milsurps, that the person standing behind the counter (or anyone working there for that matter) has the first clue when it comes to authenticating a C-96, Luger, or any other collectable vintage auto-loader.

Dont worry, I know that. I usually take any older guns to this place to get them check out. I wouldn't just assume that they can authenticate it because they sell mil surplus guns. I will contact the seller and ask for more pictures and post them later.

[smle-man]

Does it have an intertwined NS on the hammer visible when it is in the fully forward position?

[SVT-40]

The claim it's unfired is BS also. Look at the firing pin on the back of the bolt. You can see where the hammer has repeatedly struck it. If you look at the face of the bolt you will see a slight ring around the firing pin where the blue is thin or worn away. That is a positive sign that the pistol has been fired.

So the seller lied about the source of the gun, and lied that is "unfired".


Ask yourself why is this person selling this "family heirloom" supposedly captured by his father?????

Would you even consider selling such a item unless you absolutely were being evicted from your home or some other financial catastrophe?

Don't get me wrong a C96 pistol is a neat item for any collection. I just don't want you to get caught up in the emotion of a deal. As said above, $3,000.00 will buy you many quality firearms. So unless you have the $$$$$ to burn step back. I absolutely believe this pistol will not sell for $3,000.00 and will still be available in the future.

[killjoy1137]

The claim it's unfired is BS also. Look at the firing pin on the back of the bolt. You can see where the hammer has repeatedly struck it. If you look at the face of the bolt you will see a slight ring around the firing pin where the blue is thin or worn away. That is a positive sign that the pistol has been fired.

So the seller lied about the source of the gun, and lied that is "unfired".


Ask yourself why is this person selling this "family heirloom" supposedly captured by his father?????

Would you even consider selling such a item unless you absolutely were being evicted from your home or some other financial catastrophe?

Don't get me wrong a C96 pistol is a neat item for any collection. I just don't want you to get caught up in the emotion of a deal. As said above, $3,000.00 will buy you many quality firearms. So unless you have the $$$$$ to burn step back. I absolutely believe this pistol will not sell for $3,000.00 and will still be available in the future.

I thank you for all of the help. Your right, unless I can get this thing dirt cheap, I'm backing away from this.

[saki302]

Even doubting the origins, unfired-ness, possible original finish- it would be a nice deal around $1500-1600.

-Dave

[The Gleam]

First off, that story "that in WW2, his grandfather raided a Mauser factory and stuffed one of these in his coat" is idiotic as full of Hollywood-style ridiculousness.

I did have an actual "civilian market" Mauser C96 for the longest time, WITH all matching numbers, and matching number butt-stock, in factory condition WITH full documentation all the way to the original buyer that bought it in New York and later brought it to CA. It was pre-WWII; I also have another "civilian one, original finish, but no documentation and pre-WWII - still looked the same.

The finish on them looked exactly like Beetle's, sort of a translucent soft-blue pearlescent coating, and I have never seen a "civilian" have a darker, blacker finish unless it was improperly re-finished.

I'm not buying the "civilian finish" BS. Yes, there were guns of that period with "military finishes" versus "civilian finish" as has been seen from Colt, S&W, and others, but it was less common with German guns and likely less common with the C96.

I'll admit I'm not Mr. C96 know it all, I'm just basing my experience on what I've owned, what I've been exposed to, and what I've seen in person from top Luger and C96 collectors. If it's legit, I'll gladly bow to my ignorance and admit my foolishness, harboring a bit of jealousy for something of that quality having gone for $3,000 because if it were the real deal, I would put it up at no less than $5000. But I agree with Saki, that if it as suspected, still getting it at around $1,500 would not be too bad as the stock is still a fine item to come with it, especially if the numbers matched but was refinished (and not a Chinese copy).

But this one sounds off the mark, like not all is quite factual; and it starts with that stupid story.

[killjoy1137]

The guy sold it to some chump for 3000. That guy will be real disappointed if he tries to resell it for a profit. Thank for the help everyone. I could tell I wouldn't be able to make a deal with this guy because I tried explaining some of the issues I had with it and he said an expert on craigslist told him its authentic so he wouldn't listen to some random people on a forum website? Not sure how that works but its not my problem now. Thanks everyone.