Looking for Luger, bought Broomhandle

alex · 10-22-2002, 12:17 PM

I started to look into buying a "shooter Luger" and a magazine for my first Luger (It was missing the mag when I bought it). While asking around I was put in contact with a gentleman who is thinning out his collection. He is primarily a Mauser rifle collector, but he had a broomhandle as well. I started to do some research and found a couple of C96 websites (no forum though). I decided to purchase the broomhandle as it was in excellent condition. It is a standard 7.63 mm commercial model produced in 1913. All numbers are matching with the last 3 digits on the small parts including the shoulder stock. It is in great shape with an excellent bore, the worst wear can be seen in the pic near the front sight and muzzle (from removing from stock/holster).
I had to crop the photo to meet the 180 Kb limit.
Still need a Luger mag and a Luger shooter but am happy with this one.

Regards, Alex

Lonnie Zimmerman · 10-22-2002, 12:55 PM

Alex; looks REALLY nice. Mint bores are hard to find in these. Congratulations!
Lonnie

alex · 10-22-2002, 02:01 PM

Lonnie, thank you for your comments. The consensus on the Broomhandle sites I looked at make mention of poor bore condition in general, especially on recent imports. I don't think mine is mint, just in nice shape with no pitting, strong rifling and smooth/shiny finish. As a sidenote I notice the use of percentages to describe condition i.e. 98% bluing. Is there some exact standard or formula? Or is this just a descriptive technique that has replaced the NRA rating system? How would you differentiate between 96% and 98%? From what I have seen NRA "Very Good" covers a wide range (depending on the site) and verges on having no meaning anymore.
I also am suspect of the decription "mint". It has been 60 to 100 years since Lugers et al were produced. Even minor handling, exposure to humidity/oxidation and poor storage during all those years would make a mint specimen rare to non-existent. I presume there are mint specimens that have come from manufacturers collections though.
Anyway, just food for thought/discussion.

Regards, Alex

Doubs · 10-22-2002, 02:24 PM

Alex, that is indeed a very nice example of the C-96. The stock adds to the value considerably. You don't indicate what it cost you but if the price was reasonable, you can be proud of that one.

<img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

Edward Tinker · 10-22-2002, 02:25 PM

Nice looking Broomhandle. I bought a bolo years ago, a import at the time, it is a broomhandle, but in a bit of a "rough" shape [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

Congrats!

wterrell · 10-22-2002, 08:01 PM

alex, all is forgiven. Please come home.

10-22-2002, 12:17 PM	#1
alex User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Looking for Luger, bought Broomhandle I started to look into buying a "shooter Luger" and a magazine for my first Luger (It was missing the mag when I bought it). While asking around I was put in contact with a gentleman who is thinning out his collection. He is primarily a Mauser rifle collector, but he had a broomhandle as well. I started to do some research and found a couple of C96 websites (no forum though). I decided to purchase the broomhandle as it was in excellent condition. It is a standard 7.63 mm commercial model produced in 1913. All numbers are matching with the last 3 digits on the small parts including the shoulder stock. It is in great shape with an excellent bore, the worst wear can be seen in the pic near the front sight and muzzle (from removing from stock/holster). I had to crop the photo to meet the 180 Kb limit. Still need a Luger mag and a Luger shooter but am happy with this one. Regards, Alex

10-22-2002, 12:55 PM	#2
Lonnie Zimmerman User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 523 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Alex; looks REALLY nice. Mint bores are hard to find in these. Congratulations! Lonnie __________________ Lonnie Zimmerman

10-22-2002, 02:25 PM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,941 Thanks: 2,039 Thanked 4,547 Times in 2,100 Posts	Nice looking Broomhandle. I bought a bolo years ago, a import at the time, it is a broomhandle, but in a bit of a "rough" shape [img]biggrin.gif[/img] Congrats! __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

10-22-2002, 08:01 PM	#6
wterrell User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,096 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	alex, all is forgiven. Please come home. __________________ Noli me vocare, ego te vocabo, wes --------------------

10-22-2002, 02:01 PM	#3
alex User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Lonnie, thank you for your comments. The consensus on the Broomhandle sites I looked at make mention of poor bore condition in general, especially on recent imports. I don't think mine is mint, just in nice shape with no pitting, strong rifling and smooth/shiny finish. As a sidenote I notice the use of percentages to describe condition i.e. 98% bluing. Is there some exact standard or formula? Or is this just a descriptive technique that has replaced the NRA rating system? How would you differentiate between 96% and 98%? From what I have seen NRA "Very Good" covers a wide range (depending on the site) and verges on having no meaning anymore. I also am suspect of the decription "mint". It has been 60 to 100 years since Lugers et al were produced. Even minor handling, exposure to humidity/oxidation and poor storage during all those years would make a mint specimen rare to non-existent. I presume there are mint specimens that have come from manufacturers collections though. Anyway, just food for thought/discussion. Regards, Alex

10-22-2002, 02:24 PM	#4
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,700 Thanks: 792 Thanked 1,696 Times in 556 Posts	Alex, that is indeed a very nice example of the C-96. The stock adds to the value considerably. You don't indicate what it cost you but if the price was reasonable, you can be proud of that one. <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />