1930 Mauser Broomhandle 9mm

[Steve1968LS2]

I posted this in handgun, but though you guys might be a bit more up on these.. tempted to buy one, but I don't know much (except they are HARD to put back together if you take one apart! lol

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1027792

[Tonymin]

Refinished severely hurts collection value. I have seen ones with honest wear for $800 so to me yours is overpriced. But if you like it make them an offer.

[Steve1968LS2]

Refinished severely hurts collection value. I have seen ones with honest wear for $800 so to me yours is overpriced. But if you like it make them an offer.

Hmm.. I've seen the 9mm "Red 9" guns on Gunbroker from $1500 to over $3000..

I know the refinishing hurts.. and I'm assuming it's refinished because it looks so nice.

[Grendl]

Make sure it has a serial # between 1-150,000, 24 groove grips, and a 50-500M sight. LOTS of fakes out there.

[pitfighter]

Not sure about the blue, looks like it could be good -
More worried about how good the grips are, that has been a common issue.
Taking a lesser valued 7.63 and upping it to 9mm and then adding the grips to legitimize it.
My own knowledge ain't great enough to say anything more than research a little more, those grips look, too nice - take a look on line at some of the original Red 9 grips, that's nearly 100 years of being handled remember.

[Emdawg]

Hmm.. I've seen the 9mm "Red 9" guns on Gunbroker from $1500 to over $3000..

I know the refinishing hurts.. and I'm assuming it's refinished because it looks so nice.

Well, any fool can post a gun on Gunbroker and ask what he wants, but that does not mean that he will sell it for that much. I have seen guns on that site that have been posted there for years and they never moved.

A fair price for one of those C96s would be $650 to $1300 depending on condition if one was really trying to sell it.

[Steve1968LS2]

Not sure about the blue, looks like it could be good -
More worried about how good the grips are, that has been a common issue.
Taking a lesser valued 7.63 and upping it to 9mm and then adding the grips to legitimize it.
My own knowledge ain't great enough to say anything more than research a little more, those grips look, too nice - take a look on line at some of the original Red 9 grips, that's nearly 100 years of being handled remember.

That picture is NOT the one for sale.. but it looks like it with the 9 grips and MAUSER markings..

The blueing is perfect, which is why I'm sure it was refinished.. but they did a great job..

I know now to check the 500m on the sight.. looks legit.

So, assuming it's "legit" and refinished then what is a real 9mm 1930ish Broomhandle worth? (and numbers matching)

The metal looked in great shape, not dinged up and/or pitted

[Steve1968LS2]

Well, any fool can post a gun on Gunbroker and ask what he wants, but that does not mean that he will sell it for that much. I have seen guns on that site that have been posted there for years and they never moved.

A fair price for one of those C96s would be $650 to $1300 depending on condition if one was really trying to sell it.

Well yea.. but when you see most of them listed high it seems like a trend.

But, I see your point.. thanks!

[Tonymin]

Sometimes I pay too much just because I really want and like the gun. A proper refinish is expensive.

[Syntax Error]

Just because it has "Red 9" grips, doesn't mean it's a legit Red 9. Grips can be swapped out by anyone.

[jl7422]

If it is as you say, it's worth half of what they're asking.

[Milsurp Collector]

Was at my LGS and they had a used (consignment) 1928-1930 Mauser Broomhandle pistol

So, assuming it's "legit" and refinished then what is a real 9mm 1930ish Broomhandle worth? (and numbers matching)

If it was made in 1928-1930 it isn't legit. Real "Red 9" C96 pistols were made only between 1916 and 1918.

Reproduction Red 9 grips are available http://www.kbtacticalstar.com/index....2204e6ac0d41fc

http://www.ebay.com/itm/i6C-WWI-WWII-GERMAN-9mm-C96-BROOMHANDLE-MAUSER-WOODEN-W-RED-9-PISTOL-GRIPS-PAIR-/310783174233?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item485c1ee659

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWI-WWII-GERMAN-ARMY-9mm-C96-BROOMHANDLE-MAUSER-WOODEN-W-RED-9-PISTOL-GRIPS-/331368942405?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d2720cb45

The vast majority of C96 pistols were chambered in 7.63 Mauser. Any you come across today that are currently in 9mm Parabellum probably weren't originally made that way.

From Standard Catalog Of Military Firearms 6th edition:

"BUYER BEWARE ALERT FROM GALE MORGAN":
In the 1980s and 1990s large quantities of "Broomhandle" Mausers and Astra copies were imported into the United States from China...In recent years a cottage industry has sprung up where these very common pistols have been converted to "rare, exotic, near mint, original" specimens selling well into the four figure range...They are quite eye-catching and if they are sold as customized/modified Mausers, the seller can price the piece at whatever the market will bear. However, if sold as a factory original - BUYER BEWARE.

For reference, the real thing and my greatest pawn shop find so far. And I paid less than what they are asking for that fake one.

During World War I, the Imperial German Army contracted with Mauser for 150,000 C96 pistols chambered in 9mm Parabellum to offset the slow production of the standard-issue Luger P08 pistol. This variant of the C96 was named the "Red 9", after a large number "9" burned and painted in red into the grip panels, to warn the pistols' users not to load them with 7.63 mm ammunition by mistake. Of the 150,000 pistols commissioned, approximately 137,000 were delivered before the war ended.

[Paulie Lugnuts]

Was there a year when they switched from straw finnish to bluing? We have one in jail right now. Its a 1920-1922 vintage short barrel, Bolo?, that has a straw finnish in 7.63.

[Grendl]

Hmmm, those look like replacement grips too. They should have 24 grooves and yours have at least 30. Also, the 9 is not branded. Every undisputed authentic Red 9 I've ever seen has had the branded 9 with the ball on the tail.

If it was made in 1928-1930 it isn't legit. Real "Red 9" C96 pistols were made only between 1916 and 1918.

Reproduction Red 9 grips are available http://www.kbtacticalstar.com/index....2204e6ac0d41fc

http://www.ebay.com/itm/i6C-WWI-WWII-GERMAN-9mm-C96-BROOMHANDLE-MAUSER-WOODEN-W-RED-9-PISTOL-GRIPS-PAIR-/310783174233?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item485c1ee659

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWI-WWII-GERMAN-ARMY-9mm-C96-BROOMHANDLE-MAUSER-WOODEN-W-RED-9-PISTOL-GRIPS-/331368942405?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d2720cb45

The vast majority of C96 pistols were chambered in 7.63 Mauser. Any you come across today that are currently in 9mm Parabellum probably weren't originally made that way.

From Standard Catalog Of Military Firearms 6th edition:



For reference, the real thing and my greatest pawn shop find so far. And I paid less than what they are asking for that fake one.

[Milsurp Collector]

Hmmm, those look like replacement grips too. They should have 24 grooves and yours have at least 30. Also, the 9 is not branded. Every undisputed authentic Red 9 I've ever seen has had the branded 9 with the ball on the tail.

I don't think so, unless you think these matching numbered grips are the only fake parts on an otherwise original matching pistol. Look at the style of the numbers on the grips (especially the 3 and 9) compared to the numbers stamped on the other parts. They are the same. EDIT: granted, the top of the 4 is a little open on the metal parts and is closed on the grips but they both have a serif on the bottom.



The grips certainly don't look anything like the reproductions I posted the links to earlier.

For what it's worth, I posted those pictures on the Luger forum and no one had any concerns. http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=30386