Make: Mauser, imported by Navy Arms

Model: C96, Model 1930

Serial#: 846015

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1930-1932

Caliber: 7.63x25mm (.30 Mauser)

Action Type: Semi-Automatic Short-Recoil Pistol with an Internal Magazine fed by stripper clips.

Barrel Length: 5 1/2"

Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade and the rear sight is a "V"-notch tangent leaf marked 50-1000 meters.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grip panels are two-piece serrated wood. The grips have fairly even light wear. There are some scattered nicks and scratches with a more notable ding at the bottom of the right panel. The serrations are generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Refinished. Most serialized parts are matching. The bolt stop is non-matching.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but visible. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 4/10.

Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 87% of its current metal finish. There is some wear along the left of the barrel. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The magazine spring has been braze-repaired near the floorplate. The action shows operational wear. There is scattered light-moderate erosion and pitting under the finish with more notable erosion on the frame under the grips. The screw head is tool marked with a strong slot. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, the pistol is in Good condition as refinished.

Mechanics: 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 leather flap-holster and strap. The attachment points for the strap have torn through. The retainer for the flap's tongue has also torn through.

Our Assessment: The Mauser Model 1930 Broomhandle is the culmination of the long running C96 pistol series, representing one of the most recognizable and influential semi automatic handgun designs of the early 20th century. Manufactured at Oberndorf in the early 1930s, this commercial variant reflects Mauser's continued refinement of the platform for export and civilian markets. The distinctive integral magazine, loaded via stripper clips, and the short recoil operated action set the C96 apart from its contemporaries. Chambered in .30 Mauser, a high velocity cartridge introduced in the 1890s, the pistol offered excellent penetration and flat trajectory, contributing to its widespread adoption across Europe and Asia.

This example shows its age, having been refinished sometime in the last 90+ years, but retaining mostly matching numbered parts. The C96 platform holds a unique place in firearms history as one of the earliest successful semi automatic pistol designs, influencing numerous later developments and gaining worldwide recognition. Its distinctive profile and innovative features made it a favored sidearm for military officers, adventurers, and collectors alike. This example will make a nice addition to a collection missing the "Broomhandle". Please see our photos and good luck!