C-96 Help
 

Just bought one from the net. It is a mid/late postwar bolo. lower, upper, lockwork all match, but nothing else. Mix master. However, the bolt and disconnect do not have serials on them, but have the crown U proof. I cannot find any page or reference as to whether they should or not have serials. I found 1896.com page and it said that toward the end of production, number started getting shorter or were absent all together.

If anyone can help me out, it would be appreciated!:banghead:

The C-96 is potentially dangerous because the bolt is retained by a very small bit of metal on the back of the receiver. Before shooting your new C-96 examine the back of the receiver carefully for cracks or deformed metal. I have seen a few at gun shows that were beat to death. I also suggest replacing all the springs with a new Wolff kit and replacing the bolt retaining lug which can shear off (see Lugerdoc). I do not recall that the bolt is a numbered part, however, if this is a mixmaster why is it important? Happy shooting.
KFS

its not important, but want to make sure that they are not cheap repro parts!

I cannot say if the Bolos are different, but both of my fullsize pistols have no serial numbers on the bolts. All I have are the crown-U proofs. One is circa 1905 and the other a 1930's type.

I have read mixed opinions on replacing the bolt stops. Its my understanding that the available replacement are used originals or chinese fabricated. I would carefully check for signs of damage of course, but would be hesitant to replace one that looks fine with another equally old one or of dubious manufacture.

I would definitely change out all the springs with those sold by Wolff just to be safe.

Out of curiosity, which parts are the mismatches?

Very late post war bolo are like 1930, no serial on disconnector, nor sear. Not sure when the number on disconnector was dropped. Rule of thumb: if it's a very late bolo s/n near 700,000 range, unnumbered disconnector is probably valid. The bolt is supposed to be numbered on bolo though. Even those transitional 1930 have numbered bolt, and it's highly unlikely that number could be dropped in bolo and put back on 1930. Bolt is supposed to be numbered on correct bolo.