This question is for firearms experts: do any companies still make fireable mauser c96 (broomhandle pistols)?

Question

I really like the mauser c96 (broomhandle pistol) and am trying to acquire one but as far as I've seen the authentics go for at least $1200 and that is too much for a weapon that I wouldn't be able to fire aka a display piece. So, I was wondering if any companies make authentic, fireable reproductions of the c96. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

What you need to do, is visit any and all gun shows that are held within reasonable driving range of your home. Pick up a copy of Shotgun News at a news stand or book store, and read the listings advertising gun show locations and dates.
While matching-number Mauser bolos and broomhandles do command high prices, there were a large number of mismatched number broomhandles and bolos imported in the late 1980's and early 1990's. These guns were sold at that time for very little, in some cases less than 100$. They had very little finish remaining, but were mechanically sound and safe to shoot.
While these pistols have appreciated in value over the last 15 years or so as well, they are not anywhere near 1200$, more like 390.00$-550.00$. Often these have been professionally resurfaced, removing all evidence of pitting, remarked with the Mauser Rollmark and reblued. They are still mismatched number pistols, though, and I wouldn't pay more than 675.00 for one even with a holster-stock included. The pistols were a mixed bag of .30 mauser caliber and 9mm caliber, and many of the .30 guns were rebarreled or re-lined to 9mm after entering the United States from China and Asia. The 9mm models usually have a red 9 cut into their grip panels, but with rebarreled guns this may not always be so.
That is the gun you are looking for - A mismatched -serial number gun......A SHOOTER , and the place to find it is at those gun shows. Don't just look, ASK... often dealers don't bring their entire inventory to shows! IF you leave them a phone number, often they will help you locate what you want in the price-range you need.

Answer 2

Norinco at one time made a knock-off copy of the broom handle Mauser. I don't think they still make it, but you might be able to find one of those Chinese copies at a pawnshop. I can't testify to their reliability though. If you're just wanting a display piece, you can get non-firing replicas for around a 100 dollars.

But don't let the age of the design fool you. The Colt Peacemaker is still wildly popular and widely copied. That design came out in 1873. Most of our lever-action rifles are at least a 100 years old in design. Just updated for modern production. Even our "modern" service pistols date back many generations. The M-9 Beretta's basic mechanisims are directly lifted from the German P-38 service pistol. The Colt 1911 is still popular. Just because it's old doesn't mean it's outdated. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Answer 3

Link attached to aide you in your endeavor.
At best you may have to settle for some form of replica.
If Mauser were still in business you must remember evolution has its affects on everything.
The c96 design is 111 years old now, it would be hard for a 111 year old weapon design to escape evolution.
The c96 was created in 1896, and all manufactures are competing for a peace of the modern market, fueling changes, modifications and replacements of existing designs.
don’t get me wrong I’m a Mauser enthuses and build off the 98 design.

Best of luck in your quest.

http://www.gunsworld.com/mauser/c96_us.html

D58