Mauser C96 Broomhandle Commercial Red Nine Clone 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol
SOLD FOR: $5,676.99
WOA#: WY231113SM009
Make: Mauser (Refurbished by Federal Ordnance)
Model: C96 Commercial
Serial Number: 786493
Year of Manufacture: 1930-1937
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Single Action Semi–Auto with Internal Magazine
Markings: The top of the barrel chamber is marked “WAFFENFABRIK / MAUSER / OBERNDORF A/N”, the left shoulder with a double crowned “U” and the left side “786493”. The top rear of the bolt is marked with “493” with a double crowned “U” and the top of the bolt stop is unmarked. The right side of the frame is marked “WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER / OBERNDORF A. NECKAR / D.R.P.u.A.P.”. The rear face of the frame is marked with “786493”. The rear face of the hammer is marked with a “S” stamped over the top of a “N” (New Safety-Introduced in about 1915) and “493”. The rear of the lock frame is marked “786493”. The action block is marked “493”. Top of the magazine floorplate is unmarked .
The other barrel assembly is marked the same except for the serial number.
Barrel Length: Both barrels are 5 1/2”
Sights / Optics: The rear sight is a “V” notch sliding elevator sight with markings from “50-500” that is pinned to the barrel extension. The front sight is an inverted “V” notch fixed to a rectangular base on the barrel.
The extra upper does not have its rear sight but retains its front sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece walnut with 12 grooves and a large “9” carved into both grips and filled with red paint. The “9s” are well formed and appear to be done at the factory but are not original. There are two small chips in the right grip on the serrations. The serrations are well defined. There are no cracks. The grips are in Excellent overall condition.
This pistol comes with its original grips. The grips show heavy service. There are compression throughout, patches of finish loss, the serrations are marred and dulled. The inside faces are marred. There are no cracks. They rate in Fair-Poor condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refurbished
Bore Condition: The rifling is sharp and the bores are bright. There is no erosion in the bores. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rate 9.5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 99% of its refurbished finish. The grip screw is tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are clear. There is little to no operation wear. Overall, this pistol rates in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The rear of the frame is slotted for a shoulder stock and the bottom of the grip has a boss for a lanyard ring, with a lanyard ring installed. The barrel extension is tight to the frame. This pistol has a New Safety that requires the hammer to be pulled back slightly while the safety is engaged. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a stock holster and leather holster complete with jag/cleaning rod. The leather is pliable with no tears. The wood stock has a couple small handling marks on it as well as some corrosion on the metal fittings. Overall the stock rates in Excellent condition.
Our Assessment: The Fed Ord Refurbished C96 Commercial, converted to 9mm and complete with its stock, is a fascinating piece of firearm history, blending classic design with modern modifications. Originally, the C96, commonly known as the “Broomhandle” due to its distinctive grip shape, was a revolutionary semi-automatic pistol designed by Mauser in the late 19th century. It was one of the earliest semi-automatic pistols and gained fame worldwide for its unique design and robust performance.
Federal Ordnance (Fed Ord), known for refurbishing and modifying military surplus firearms, undertook the task of refurbishing these historical C96 pistols. One significant modification made on some of these pistols included converting the original caliber, typically 7.63x25mm Mauser, to the more common and accessible 9mm Parabellum. This conversion made the pistols more appealing and practical for modern shooters, as 9mm ammunition is widely available and often more affordable.
The inclusion of a detachable shoulder stock, which doubles as a holster, is a distinctive feature of the C96. This stock enhances the pistol’s versatility, allowing it to be used as a short-barreled carbine for increased accuracy and stability, a design quite innovative for its time.
Collectors and firearms enthusiasts value these Fed Ord refurbished C96 pistols for their historical significance and the unique blend of classic and contemporary features. The conversion to 9mm makes them more usable for recreational shooting, while the preservation of key original elements, like the broomhandle grip and the combination stock-holster, maintains their historical charm and appeal. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! -L.S.
