March 1-2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/1/2018
Sometime around 1925, the Hanyang and Shansei Arsenals were producing Mauser military type pistols in both 7.63mm and .45 ACP. While not as highly finished as the German Mauser, the workmanship and material were good quality, especially those made at the Shansei Arsenal. Approximately 6,000 were made in .45 caliber at this factory. The Chinese characters on the right side indicate year of manufacture, and the characters on the left side translate to "SHIKI FIRST". A near identical example of this pistol can be found in figure 156, page 141 in the book "The Mauser Self-Loading Pistol" by Belford & Dunlap. These .45 caliber versions are behemoths, with the standard C96 weight approximately 2lbs 11oz and this example weighing in at 3lbs 8oz. This version does not have the removable magazine and is loaded via stripper clips. All matching numbers. The importer is marked inside grip strap. Resembles your basic Mauser with blue finish. No fire blue on small parts. Similar sight but beefier. Features small cone hammer and walnut grips with lanyard ring. Retains approximately 85% of the dull military style factory blue. Strong rifling. Fine action. These 1920's .45 caliber Broomhandles are quite a handful, very scarce and highly sought.
Model
Broomhandle Mauser C96