Broomhandle help needed

[jagervw]

My research on C96s would suggest your serial number range would put it at 1913 or early 1914 as a Prewar Commercial.

[alvin]

Originally Posted by jagervw

My research on C96s would suggest your serial number range would put it at 1913 or early 1914 as a Prewar Commercial.

1913 is impossible. A small group of ~100 C96 were factory marked 1914 on the left panel, s/n in 179,xxx.

By sales number, 194,031 C96 from 1897 to 1914 (not counting carbine). 55,000 instances sold in 1914 alone, twice of 1913 sale volume. That implies the demand was very high and inventory was very low at that period of time. More likely, this one was made in 1915, or at earliest, end of 1914.

[Dave Sanders]

I think I got my info about its date from a member on the forum as I really don't know much about these guns. Thanks for the comments and information. The guy I got it from years ago said his dad brought it back from when he was in China in the 1920's. I know buy the item, not the story, but that is what the guy said and it had been handed down to him from his dad. Here are some pictures of the stock as requested.
Dave