1923 Broomhandle 30cal Thoughts
 

Found a 1923 Broomhandle for sale about 3.5 hrs away. He is only asking $750 so I am thinking it might be worth the drive. Just wondering your thoughts on this one.

Sorry, here are a few pics.

Pretty rough shape for $750...and you can bet the pitting under the grips is even worse...

Locking block area looks OK...How's the bore???

Can't quite see the barrel...Is it an "M30" ('step' in barrel)???

It looks to be an M30 or 1930 Broomhandle by the step on the barrel. Looking at the back of the pistol as if fireing it, there should not be a serial number on the lower half or the pistol. The M30's supposedly have the serial number stamped on the barrel/cannon assembly and the rear upper half. Also take off the grips and look at what is under them. This can be a real sensitive area for rust. Also the frame under the grips should not be stepped.

Hope this helps

Peter

+ 1

Here's a pic of my M30, which *I* consider to be in very good condition...except under the grips... :rolleyes:

Thank you for the info. I will be requesting pics with the grips off.. From the sounds of it, doesnt look like I will be making the drive after all.

Check GB...I didn't pay any more than $800 for mine; they may be even cheaper now...Keng's was importing some a few years back...

Edit: Forget GB...The prices there are through the roof... :crying:

$750 doesn't sound all that bad...Take cash with you...and offer lower, cash in hand... ;)

$650 may be good price...For complete, functioning, fair bore M30...

Alvin should have an opinion on this one...I defer to him... :p

Well, it's a Model 1930 (by the serial number, stepped barrel and style of letters).
The gun, as mentioned above, is in rough, "shooter" condition. Loooks like it had been refinished or touched up with cold blue - note the difference of finish shades on the mag area.

However, the price is not that wrong. As said, you might get a better price with cash. But you need to check if everything is working properly. Try to get a three day inspection.

Douglas

$650 will be a better price for it,

But even at $750 it's a good project.

Restored with relined bore that gun can bring $1200-$1400 and another $300 with wood stock.

Make sure to reline the bore if it's bad, do not shoot it with bad bore and replace the springs like your life depends on it.

It does need another $600-$700 to make it look like new again.
But it can be done.

Eugene -

Who do you recommend to reline 7.63 barrel???

It's probably made in 1933-1934. Some M1930 in 88xxxx range were marked "德國製" (made in Germany) on magazine well, I would assume those Mauser were made in parallel with "日國製" (Made in Spain) marked Astra 900 in 27xxx range. They were so marked upon the request of an importer. And it's known Astra 27xxx were made in 1933-1934, so Mauser 87-88xxxx should be in the same period.

For the price,,,, as we have learned over years, waiting longer probably can find better deal. But waiting longer is a cost by itself. If affordable, enjoy what you like earlier is not a bad choice.

I can do it in to 30 Mauser or 9mm Luger... but you will have to wait for 3 month before I get to it.

I tried several services before i started doing my own, but no one using the alloy to hold the liner in place, everyone i tried using epoxy and it did not hold up to any use, in my tests.

I make a step in the chamber of the original barrel and make a liner with the step as well, then i seat it with an alloy similar to alloys used in pluming, but more heat resistant.

Downside is , you may see finish discoloration on the outside of the barrel. That is why i mostly do it before restoration of the finish.

Not a very hard job if you have the tools for it.

If you searching for someone else to do it, ask them if they use epoxy or alloy to hold the liners.

And ask them about the step in the chamber aria,
I have seen liners moving under stress if there is no shoulder in the chamber.

My 885460 has 3 Chinese characters on mag well; can't read them (I am dummie), let's see if I can bring it out...

(Mine is a Keng's import)

I can't read the third character but the first two stand for Germany, so it is probably 'Made in Germany'. I just don't want to be super assertive since it's hard to see the third character due to the slight glare.

I met a few collectors who do not care much on C96 condition, because they collect guns of Chinese provenance. Many guns lost blue, could be mismatched, bore,,, well, at least one guy told me that he did not even look into the bore. They won't refinish nor reline those guns either. The cost is the initial acquiring cost, that's it. On certain degree, I agree, those C96s represent a special category, and could be enjoyable.

There are often deals on broomhandles on GB, you just have to watch for them!
$750 I would say is the most for a decent amount of original rifling, though $650 would probably be my limit for the finish on yours. For a project gun I would probably look for no more than $550. You can occasionally find a junker in the $300 dollar range, but they could be a real gamble.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=268205015
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=272057648
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=281413567

After asking to see how it looked under the grips, he replied "it is pretty rusty". Thanks for all the wonderful info, saved me a road trip. I'll keep up the search.