1916 broom with austrian proofs
 

Guys...... just obtained this broom from my newspaper ad along with a buch of other stuff. Any idea how many were made approx. ?

s/n 377967, Austrian 1916. Sorry, no idea how many were sent to Austria.

I had a wierd thought on wartime 7,63, not solid, just put on table -- the regular production of 7,63 was stopped in 1916, or early 1917, major effort was put on 9x19. But twenty thousand plus 7,63 were assembled from previously made 7,63 barrels in 1917-1918, those factory made "parts gun" were seperately numbered, just like those 9x19.

Very nice holster more pictures would be appreciated.

1916 broom with austrian proofs
 

Thanks so much guys for your input. Brooms are just not my bag. This one came with a bunch of other stuff, helments, etc. that I purchased from a family. Apparently this one was carried over into the 30's by the belt holster with the aluminum latch stud. The holster has no marks of any kind, but is typical German design and manufacture. One of the two pockets attached to the front is larger than the other for some reason. One for a stripper clip of ammo ? And the other for what ? Sure would be nice to put any additional info with it for posterity. Someone down the line sure would benefit....... Any opinions welcomed.....

Austrian brooms are scarce.

Mostly (mine included) are dated 1917 but there are a few reported with 1916 date. All guns issued to the Austrians were "Wartime Commercial" models, with the new safety system (indicated by the superimposed letters NS on the basck of the hammer).

Does yours have any unit mark on the grip strap? Some have and it can add a lot of information about the pistol's story.

Jan Still's book "Central Powers Pistols" has a very detailed description of these guns as well a list of the reported surviving examples.

Douglas