Broomhandle stocks
 

How do you ascertain the originality of a Mauser C96 holster stock? There are a bazillion cheap repros out there.

How much would you expect to spend for the "real deal??

Most originals are proofed or numbered on the hardware and some, (commercials) have the Mauser Logo stamped into the stock.

In the absence of markings, I would look for overall fit and finish, especially the interior that has been routed out to hold the gun. This is usually where fakes don't hold up. Look at the fineness of the checkering on the butt cover release button, the quality of the screw heads, the metal to wood fit and the overall quality. Most fakes will stand out as such among these features.

the one I've seen appears to be made out of walnut. its definitely not new. It seems to have all the proper "dirt"in all the right places , and major metal parts like the lid hinge, and the mounting hardware have a rich patina. There is also a three digit sn on the mount tang on the stock wrist. Plus the expected dings and small cracks you see in older wood.

How much do originals go for, say in good to very good condition?

Would be interesting to see a picture of it.

Be careful! The Chinese made some good quality repros with the Mauser Banner stamped in wood in the 1980s, but some of their WW2 (more original) are very crude and unmarked. Tom

Few repo stocks are very well made. Most are obviously wrong either here or there. Some of them has nothing correct, from size, to screw, to shape, to length, to opening, to spring etc, etc. nothing correct. I visited a store selling those repo stocks in Beijing, they call themselves "Store of military items", located in a big dark warehouse, the boss was a man, he hired two girls helping him. There were tons of those stocks, asking .. retail $25 a piece. I talked to them, their intention was not selling those as "real" to cheat, their intention was lower the production cost so they could sell it cheap but still very profitable to many people. There is always a market for low price items. The volume matters. So, all low quality. Those stocks sell $75 in US at that time. Besides stocks, they also carry leather holsters, caps, belts, badges, coats, boots, etc, etc. All fake, honestly acknowledged.

Market for those "military items" is very small. Really amazing market that opened my eyes is the market for fake Swiss watches. Those are the ones by outside looking alone, there is no way to tell it's a fake.... those do run, and run nicely. At least, I cannot tell the difference. When the fake one looks so real and so cheap, who wants the real one...

Alvin's back!!! :thumbup:

And none will deny that the world is now a better place!!! :cheers:

picked up a new job and had to learn many new things in my spare time.

I bet Broomhandle's variation structure did not change recently? :)

Well, a couple members' Broomhandle structures did... :rolleyes:

I'm sure you'll get caught up quickly...

On repro Mauser stock/holsters: there are some nice looking repros out there right now...For under $200 complete... :thumbup:

If the repros do look real, $200 is acceptable. I have a few guns without stocks, acquiring genuine stocks for them will cost me a lot, and after spending that kind of money, they are still mismatched. Under $200 Hi-fi repro can be considered...

Alvin
The sage of all things broomhandle is back!:cheers:
Good to hear from you.
Bob

Nice to see you here Bob! Collector's group is very stable.

Repro Broomhandle stock/holster is also used by political figure. Just saw a recent (probably 2013) picture of King, dictator of North Korea (the guy dressed in black), and his generals posted in a news site.