Very nice looking, and as Alvin said, easily worth twice what you paid. :thumbup:

As for shooting, you did not post a pic of the receiver behind the bolt stop, which to me determines if it will be fired [safely]...

I have a few questions regarding the Broomhandle and Oyster Bay. Luger Doc filled me in on some of the details. As I understand, Oyster Bay reworked the Chineese Broomhandles and converted them all over to 9mm. Were these Broomhandles made by Mauser or just Chineese copies? Are they worth anything or junk? If one were to run across one, would it be safe and shootable? Naturally, that's after it has been checked out. These may seem like dumb questions, but where does the beginner start. I picked up a Bolo at a gun show here in TN last year for a very reasonable price. The OLD GIRL was pretty abused and needed some TLC. Luger Doc had the parts I needed, and it is now on its way to be re-bored. Like the Luger, it's a pretty fascinating weapon.
Thanks

Peter
Newluger

I owned several Oyster Bay imported Broomhandles back when they were first coming in.

All mine were German made and relined to 9mm. They had a very small lot of .45 ACP Brooms, which were Chinese manufacture.

I shot all the examples I owned with no problems. I do recall that several had new, replacement bolt locks, which indicate that there was some concern by the importer for providing safe, shootable guns.

Thanks guys! Here is a pic of the bolt block hole. What should I look for as far as shootability?
Phil
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z...e/DSC00007.jpg

Looks great. The frame is in great shape.

Past usage is easy to tell. Usually I ask seller to show me the back of the firing pin. For those guns in great shape, the vertical slot on firing pin is near perfect (not marred), and fire blue is still there.

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Now, I changed my mind a little bit. It looks more like a 1914 gun :)

Thanks Alvin! How are you able to tell what year it is?
Phil

Since s/n was hidden pretty well, it's a guesstimation. It's appearance and finish is very close to "late prewar commercial" -- military style rust blue finish, but better done than "wartime commercial", longer tempered area between receiver and barrel.

Final price was $2765, plus shipping probably be $2800.

Oyster Bay marked guns that I've met having Mauser parts. In my opinion, Oyster Bay is definitely not collectable, but be honest, they are easier to come and easier to go, because of its 3-digit price tag. If collecting many Mausers, a collection having many Oyster Bays inside will be very unique, but if buying only one for playing a little bit, I would think that's an option.

Alvin,
I finally got some pics of the firing pin striking surface one without flash and one with.

I also took some pics trying to show the condition of the fire blue parts.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z.../firingpin.jpg
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z...nwithflash.jpg
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z...ce/fulltop.jpg
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z...giance/top.jpg

The gun looks great. If I remembered correctly, it's a late 1914 gun. Was this acquired recently for $500? Unbelivable. Recently, I listed a similar one for sale asking $1850, one viewer sent me message wanted to bargain some money down. I changed my mind and delisted the gun. I need one like this.

Have you tried it in range? I tried mine. Reliability is comparable with the postwar P1 in normal range condition. Accuracy, well, not a target pistol, but with stock attached, hitting a head size target at 50 yards does not require a sharp shooter. The light reflection from the reverse triangle of the rear sight prevented me doing any better.

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[Edit] Sorry, it's not my purpose saying you should shoot this. It's a collectable. Normally, collectors don't fire it.

Did you know Cheka agents executed Tsarina using by a 7,63 exactly like this one in 1918.

South Africa has South Africa's headache. Back to market again. Why not return it to the original seller though.....

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=169614053