There is an M1896 Forum at -
http://1896mauser.com/forum/
- which several members of this Forum are members of as well. The Serial Lookup at -
http://armscollectors.com/sn/c96lookup.php
- simply says that your Mauser was made sometime between 1923 and 1930. The short barrel indicates a Bolo Mauser. A look at some "Broomhandle" Mausers on GB should tell you whether it's a Bolo or an M1896.
I've owned an M30 Broomhandle in the past, and have another one right now, with a slight problem. I also just picked up a junker which I may fix up to shooter status...or maybe just hang it on my wall, next to my Colt 1872 Open Top...