30 cal WW1 broomhandle in 9mm serial range?

Joe in Colorado · 06-30-2019, 08:15 PM

Please see the attached photos of .30 Mauser pistol #9709. The pistol's features are just like a typical "WW1 Commercial" except the serial number must be from the 1916 9mm "Red 9" contract, right? (The actual .30 Mauser #9709 would date to 1897 and have early features...note the "NS" safety which did not start in .30s until 1912/sn@280k.) What is the explanation please, and any special collector interest? I should get the pistol next week. Thank you, Joe

DonVoigt · 07-01-2019, 12:06 AM

Joe,
I believe you nailed it.
"Red 9"s are popular due to the military connection.

But,
I'm going to guess that your grips are replacements, as they are the wrong style and lack the Red 9 incised into the outside.
I don't like the look of the serial number on the left flat of the chamber either, looks like it was added to match the upper to the lower. Notice how close the top edge comes to the marking on the top flat, I believe the original number was milled off and a new number stamped.

I'm afraid you have a "boosted" 9mm Mauser, renumbered to match.

Post some hi-def pictures when you get it for a better look; these pictures won't expand enough to see fine detail.

Joe in Colorado · 07-01-2019, 05:51 AM

Thank you Don, my theory was this pistol was made as a .30 but numbered with the Red 9 series, it seems you are saying the pistol has a .30 cannon and grips that were re-marked to match a 9mm gun, then everything was refinished. This could be right but it seems like a lot of work for back in the day-and look how well the number styles match and the finish looks original, right? When I get the pistol I will check the number under the rear sight and post better photos. Are any members aware of factory original .30's numbered with the 9mm contract pistols? Thank you, Joe.

DonVoigt · 07-01-2019, 08:20 AM

It is tough to say about the finish without better pictures.
This could have been done in 1970, and have had near 50 years to "age" by now.

Matching pistols have always been more "valuable" than mismatched ones.

06-30-2019, 08:15 PM	#1
Joe in Colorado User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 71 Thanks: 102 Thanked 136 Times in 38 Posts	30 cal WW1 broomhandle in 9mm serial range? Please see the attached photos of .30 Mauser pistol #9709. The pistol's features are just like a typical "WW1 Commercial" except the serial number must be from the 1916 9mm "Red 9" contract, right? (The actual .30 Mauser #9709 would date to 1897 and have early features...note the "NS" safety which did not start in .30s until 1912/sn@280k.) What is the explanation please, and any special collector interest? I should get the pistol next week. Thank you, Joe Attached Thumbnails

07-01-2019, 12:06 AM	#2
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,678 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,348 Times in 2,038 Posts	Joe, I believe you nailed it. "Red 9"s are popular due to the military connection. But, I'm going to guess that your grips are replacements, as they are the wrong style and lack the Red 9 incised into the outside. I don't like the look of the serial number on the left flat of the chamber either, looks like it was added to match the upper to the lower. Notice how close the top edge comes to the marking on the top flat, I believe the original number was milled off and a new number stamped. I'm afraid you have a "boosted" 9mm Mauser, renumbered to match. Post some hi-def pictures when you get it for a better look; these pictures won't expand enough to see fine detail. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

07-01-2019, 08:20 AM	#4
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,678 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,348 Times in 2,038 Posts	It is tough to say about the finish without better pictures. This could have been done in 1970, and have had near 50 years to "age" by now. Matching pistols have always been more "valuable" than mismatched ones. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

07-01-2019, 05:51 AM	#3
Joe in Colorado User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 71 Thanks: 102 Thanked 136 Times in 38 Posts	Thank you Don, my theory was this pistol was made as a .30 but numbered with the Red 9 series, it seems you are saying the pistol has a .30 cannon and grips that were re-marked to match a 9mm gun, then everything was refinished. This could be right but it seems like a lot of work for back in the day-and look how well the number styles match and the finish looks original, right? When I get the pistol I will check the number under the rear sight and post better photos. Are any members aware of factory original .30's numbered with the 9mm contract pistols? Thank you, Joe.