A Two World Wars veteran: Austrian C-96
 

Hi folks,

I�´m back to share with you some pictures of one of my C-96 with a very interesting story.

It is a Commercial Wartime C-96, serial number 405026 (with matching stock), which was issued to the Austrian Army during the WWI (1917), bearing the inspector mark on the right side of the chamber (W-n Eagle/17).

The gun also has the unit�´s mark in its grip, LFA527, which mean Luftfahrt Abteilung (Air Corp Batalion or something like that) #527. After the war this gun was probably kept inan Arsenal until the Austrian ocupation by the Germans in 1938, when it was reworked to chamber the 9mm Luger (as happened with most of the Steyr Hahn 1912 pistols), and served again during the WWII, probably with a second line unit.

I can say that because this weapon was bought directly from the American GI who owned it as a bring brack.

I showed the gun in the Jan Still�´s forum, and it seems that he only has seven Austrian Brooms in his data base, and this is the first in 9mm Luger. Nice, isn�´t it?

Hope you enjoy it!

Douglas.

(PS - I used chalk to make the white lettering)
right side:
http://boards.rennlist.com/lfupload/C96Austrian-1.jpg

left side:
http://boards.rennlist.com/lfupload/C96Austrian-2.jpg

Austrian unit�´s mark

http://boards.rennlist.com/lfupload/C96Austrian-3.jpg

Austrian inspector mark:

http://boards.rennlist.com/lfupload/C96Austrian-4.jpg

Serial number and german proof mark

http://boards.rennlist.com/lfupload/C96Austrian-5.jpg

Another view with the stock:

http://boards.rennlist.com/lfupload/C96Austrian-6.jpg

Douglas,
What a wonderful example of a rare, rare unit marked 'broom. The aviation-marked pistols, along with the U-boat ones, are about as rare as it gets and yours is spectacular. Thanks so much for sharing.
Tom A.

GREAT pics and gun Douglas! :)

<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

Ed

Hello Douglas,

A little <img border="0" alt="[offtopic]" title="" src="graemlins/offtopic.gif" /> but since I noticed from your User Profile that you live in Brazil, I think the Luger Forum has nominated you to find all the remaining minty 1906 DWM Brazilian lugers in your country and offer them for sale on our Forum...!!! :D

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

Hi everybody,

Thanks for your kind words. In fact, I�´m really glad for have this baby! :D :D

Pete, it would be a good idea if I would know where the Brazilian Lugers are! :confused: :rolleyes: And, after find them, you�´ll have to wait because I�´ll pick one or two for myself <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" />

I really think that most of our decent Lugers went to USA during the 70s and 80s because they are very difficult find here in original condition (I�´m not even saying MINT condition). But it is not impossible...

Regards,

Douglas. <img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />