This is a general question regarding the Shansei .45 Broomhandles /C96 / Type 17 - whatever you want to call them,
pistols. Every so often I look around for info on these, specifically if anyone has ever fully established ( not just assumed ) that the
small herd of them that came on the market some years back were in fact new production from China or originals. I myself always assumed they were new made but never really cared either way, I was just happy to have one. I read an interesting passage from this site:
http://www.pmulcahy.com/pistols/german_pistols_l-m.htm -
Quote:
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it is suspected that the Shansei Mauser is again being manufactured; I say "suspected" because though the Chinese say these are unfired examples pulled from storage, they appear to have several new parts as well as types of steel not available in the late 1920s and 1930s (though it is carefully given an aged appearance). The Chinese will not confirm that they are making Shansei Mausers again, however.
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I had not heard before that new metallurgy was detected in these pistols. The site I quoted from didn't seem to quote any sources for their statement. So I'm really left with the same questions.
Any insights? Also, whatever happened to IAR, Inc who brought a bunch of these Chinese pistols to market??
Jerry