September 5-7, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/5/2023
The Mauser C96 was very popular in China, with numerous copies made in-country. One of the more interesting developments was the decision to scale up the gun to .45 ACP so it could share ammo with the also domestically-produced Thompson clones. Made in the initial run, both side of frame marked with Chinese characters, left indicating model and right indicate manufacturer and date (looks to be Republic 19). Matching full or partial numbers observed on left side of chamber, underside of rear sight, rear sight elevator, top of bolt carrier, firing pin, locking lug, lock frame stop, sear, sear spring/hammer pivot, rear of hammer, trigger, frame, subframe, magazine baseplate, and follower. Barleycorn front sight, V notch adjustable rear sight graduated to 1000 meters. Serrated grips with single retaining screw through central escutcheon. Frame cut for stock lug. Lanyard loop on non-rotatable stud. Oversized stock/holster of appropriate proportions to take the oversized frame, unnumbered on the iron. PROVENANCE: From the advanced collection of the esteemed and respected Dr. Jim Watson of Scottsdale, Arizona. CONDITION: Gun retains the majority, approximately 60-70%, of a thinning blue mixing with a plum-brown coming through and some silvering to high edges. Legends are crisp. Some roughage from crude manufacturing process. Mechanically fine, bore is good with strong rifling and mild frosting throughout. Stock is excellent with some handling marks, leather is pliable. It is very scarce to find these guns with any level of finish.