RARE WWII Wehrmacht Mauser C96 7.63mm C&R Pistol w/ Shoulder Stock
SOLD FOR: $2226
WOA#: WY230302MQ001
Make: Waffenfabrik Mauser, Oberndorf
Model: Mauser C96
Serial#: 325407
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1900-1903, C&R
Caliber: 7.63mm Mauser
Action Type: Semi-Automatic Short-Recoil Pistol with an Internal Magazine fed by stripper clips.
Markings: The right side of the frame is marked, “WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER OBERNDORF A. NECKAR”. The right side of the chamber is marked with a Waffenamt. The left side of the chamber is marked “325407”. The left side of the frame is marked, “MAUSER”. The safety lever is marked, “S F”. The top of the chamber is marked, “WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER OBERNDORF”. The left shoulder of the chamber is marked with a crowned “U” with a Waffenamt above it. The top of the charging handle is marked with a Crowned U.
Barrel Length: 5”.
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed by the muzzle. The rear sight is a tangent leaf marked to 1000 meters.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The matching grip panels are two-piece serrated wood. There is a lanyard ring fixed to the butt-strap. The grip panels have light handling marks, nicks and scuffs. The grip serrations remain sharp. Overall, the grip panels are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized with Nickel Plated
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is parkerized with the rifling missing. There is erosion and light pitting present throughout.
Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 95% of its parkerized refinish. There is pitting on varying portions of the pistol on the receiver, frame, and barrel. The parkerized finish has filled the pitting. The markings are legible but the markings on top of the chamber are slightly faded and pitted out. The screwhead is lightly tooled and remains serviceable. Overall, the pistol is in Good condition as refurbished.
Mechanics: The rear of the frame is slotted for a shoulder stock and the bottom of the grip has a boss with a fixed lanyard ring. The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: The gun comes with a wood stock/holster serialized “133” near the release lever. There are some light scratches and compression marks as well as some more visible wear on the heel. Overall, the stock/holster is in Very Good condition. This pistol also comes with an extra firing pin in Excellent condition.
Our Assessment: At the end of the 19th century semi-automatic handguns were being adopted by most major powers. Germany was at the forefront of this firearms revolution, a number of prominent designs coming from the relatively young nation (it took its modern form in 1871 following the Franco-Prussian War). Among the most iconic was the Mauser Model 1896 (remembered as the C96), designed by the Feederle brothers (Fidel, Friedrich and Josef) whom were close associates of Paul Mauser, the owner of the famous German arms manufacturer, and they all worked at Mauser’s experimental workshop. They developed a number of prototypes over the course of the early 1890s before finally perfecting what would become the C96 in 1896. A number of variations of the design were produced by Mauser over a production cycle that would last over four decades; most featured a 10 round fixed internal magazine that was loaded with stripper clips. Most C96s were chambered for the 7.63x25mm cartridge and a number were later also chambered for 9mm Luger rounds (several other chamberings exist as well, but these are the two most common by far). Mauser’s design was adopted by the German military and the company secured a number of contracts with various powers to sell the weapon to their armed forces; this included the Ottoman Empire, Italy, Persia and Austro-Hungary. The gun saw extensive use during WWI and was still in service during WWII with the Wehrmacht to a much more limited degree.
This particular specimen is one of the rare and few examples of a Wehrmacht Waffenamt stamped C96. It is said that the Wehrmacht Luftwaffe placed an order for up to 8500 Mausers during WWII and to fulfill the order Mauser gathered up all they could of examples they had already produced toward the end of production to fulfill the order. This C96 has been refurbished and comes with a beautiful serialized shoulder stock and extra firing pin and would make an Excellent addition to any WWII collection. Please see specs below and good luck on your bid!