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About the Mauser C96 “Broomhandle”
The Mauser C96, nicknamed the “Broomhandle” for its round wooden grip, was one of the world’s first commercially successful semi-automatic pistols. It was designed by the Feederle brothers at the Mauser factory in the mid-1890s and stayed in production until 1937, carried by officers, explorers and soldiers around the world.
What makes the C96 different
- Magazine in front of the trigger: the internal box magazine sits ahead of the trigger guard, which gives the pistol its long, front-heavy profile. It is loaded from the top with stripper clips.
- Fast bottlenecked cartridge: the original 7.63x25mm Mauser round was unusually quick for a pistol cartridge of its day. Later “Red 9” models were chambered in 9mm Parabellum.
- Holster-stock: many C96s came with a wooden holster that attached to the grip and worked as a shoulder stock.
Why it still matters
The C96 is one of the most recognizable pistols ever made. Winston Churchill carried one at the Battle of Omdurman in 1898, and its look has made it a favorite with collectors ever since. Condition, markings and matching numbers drive value, so look closely before you buy one. Vintage pistols reward good care, so find cleaning supplies at Brownells, and always wear electronic hearing protection and eye protection at the range. Follow your local laws.
Where to buy the gear mentioned in this post
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