C96 Mauser info question
 

Where might I go to find out some info on a C96 the likes of which I've never seen before.

It appears to be a plain C96, except for the removable magazine, and no, it isn't a Schnellfuer.

Most likely Chinese. Made from leftover Mauser bits and newly made Chinese frames.

Vlim is almost certainly correct. I recall Broomhandle Mausers being offered with detachable mags back in the 1990's as large numbers of C-96 pistols were imported from China.

And now we're importing their dungarees, garden tools and disease.

Here's one we sliced earlier :)

Note the stepped M1930 barrel, the large ring hammer and the roughly shaped trigger. The original 7,63 barrel was rebored to 9mm.

I understand the timing was off on many of these so slicing it in half was probably the most humane option.

Interesting. If chinese made, this one was made by a much better shop.

More photos???

Looks like a converted 712 to me. More photos from the inside should help.

I'll dive into the archives and see what I have.

Anything in particular to look for, inside, that gives a clue?

On the left side of the frame behind the mag well there should be evidence that the selector hole was welded up.

Just to get a smattering of information I would advise you to check this interesting site:

http://askmisterscience.com/1896mauserbackup/

Patrick iz dat be you, my Favorite G&A writer?

Yes, I am he.

And if the selector hole was welded up, then it isn't a pistol, but a welded select-fire, and thus not kosher? I'll look.

Patrick,

To directly answer your question about where to find out more info about Mauser C96s I have found the book System Mauser by John Breathed and Joe Schroeder to be an excellent summary of this pistol. I'm pretty certain it is still in print, and well worth the money for anyone who wants to collect broom handles. (I have six). Maybe you already know about this book, but just wanted to let you know. I know the pistol you have is Chinese. Just to be clear, the book only touches on Chinese pistols. Not much detail.

federal ordnance in CA. produced a lot of them back about 20 + years ago from surplus parts kits -

Yep on FEDORD. They did a lot of creative stuff with the loads of Brooms they imported.
Probably where your pistol came from.
I had a couple converted 9mms that worked most of the time.

from old Federal Ordnance catalog dated 1988 -