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Posted: 6/13/2026 9:19:41 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Sitzkrieg][Edited]
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As an unredeemable gun whore with a penchant for obscure guns, I have long held an interest in C96 Broomhandle Mauser pistols. Possibly more of a stalker-ish curiosity....but, until recently I had always talked myself out of making any purchases. That changed after I made the mistake of poking around on Gunbroker for stuff I didn't know I needed. My historic purchases trend towards shootable examples rather than pristine collectibles. Sadly, most Broomhandles are considered collectible these days and prices seem to start around $1k and go up rapidly. Prices are driven by originality, overall condition, number of matching parts, and any accessories present. I decided to educate myself and down the rabbit hole, I went. I decided that I liked the looks of the Bolo models with their shorter barrels and more squared off grip profile compared to the originals. The improved "New Safety" seems to be a worthwhile upgrade. The new safety allows cocked and locked carry or if applied with the hammer down, cams the hammer back from contacting the firing pin. While "Bolo" is an unofficial name. It seems that tons of this model were sold into Russia and China. Hence the Bolshevik...."Bolo" connotation. Luckily, lots of these interwar models were reimported from China in the 1980s-90s. Unfortunately, they lived very hard lives. These pistols can be found with extensive pitting, rotted grip frames, mismatched OEM parts, Chinese fabricated parts, damaged components, etc. This pistol was listed on gunbroker but, priced high at nearly $1500 and went several cycles without attracting any bidders. It looked like the shop got in a handful of C96s from an estate as they had 3 or 4 different examples but, didn't seem to specialize in the type. I called the shop and after verifying details, made a significantly lower offer that they eventually accepted. Seller's pics: Attached File Attached File The pistol is a mid to late production Bolo in the 500K range. The seller provided some decent pics and I was able to determine that numbers were matching on the barrel, bolt, lock frame, grip frame, and hammer prior to making the purchase. Upon arrival, I was happy to see matching numbers on internal parts such as the sear and locking block. Mismatched parts include a very clean original bolt stop, magazine floorplate, and repro grips. The majority of matching OEM parts gave me some faith that I could get this pistol running. It has been somewhat pitted, buffed, and every part was hot dip blued. Cosmetically, it is on the higher end of the reimported examples. At this time, there is no pitting in the barrel or any rifling. Can't have it all.  Attached File Attached File Attached File Some pitting and metal loss on the grip frame but, still solid. I've seen pictures of worse. Attached File After getting it on the bench, I detail stripped the pistol and ran it through several cycles in the ultrasonic cleaner with diluted precision simple green and cleaned the funk out. The bolt and lock work were detail stripped and all parts that should have been in the white were put into an evaporust bath. Care must be taken with the lockwork. These pistol only have one screw in the whole design and it holds on the grips. Moreover, the rocker coupling can evidently be put in 180 off and lock up the whole mechanism. The blued safety lever and extractor were set aside. The larger blued assemblies parts were boiled to kill any active rust. Boiling in the ex-Lobstah pot. Attached File Partially stripped bluing. Attached File After evaporust bluing removal and hand buffing with a lead removal cloth. Attached File The OEM firing pin was hammered. It blew me away that the firing pin spring threads onto the pin. While present, my spring was not attached upon arrival. Attached File I sourced a new springs service pack from Wolff and picked up a firing pin and lanyard ring from a contact I made in the Broomhandle collector community(Thx Terry!) Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File I need to get it to the range and see if it will pattern or group  . If I can get it to operate properly, I may consider relining in 7.63mm or possibly rebarrelling in 9mm. No Bolo models were made in 9mm but, it would certainly be cheaper to feed. My stash of Czech Tokarev SMG ammo is way too hot for this old girl.While I was slumming and spending money, I looked around for a stock/holster. These are much harder to find in good shape than the pistols. Prices for good ones can top $1k. I first found one without a latch lever/spring at Apex Used Gun Parts for $175. I suspect this may actually be an Astra 900 stock but, it fits perfectly. I ordered a Chinesium mounting "Iron" from Sarco and may be able to move the lever/spring over to the original housing. It has a few cracks but, it is certainly usable. As these things go, the next day I found another stock at Checkpoint Charlie's that had about 3/8" of the wood cut off at the front but, came with a complete iron for about $200. This stock has no cracks, is missing one screw and is in pretty dang clean condition. I left it with my local stock guy, who will inlet the stock and set the latch back. Given that Mauser made a few experimental short stocks for Bolo models, I'm excited to see if this will work out well. Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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As you noted do NOT shoot Tokarev ammo thru it. Thats how I broke my bolt in my C96 back in early 90s. There are three pressure levels for the same case like .38 Special,+P,+P+ 7.65mm Borchadt 7.63mm Mauser 7.62x25 Tokarev Same case, dies etc, different loading levels |
De Oppresso Liber
Iraq: 91,03,04,05,06,08,09,15,16,22-26'
Afghanistan: 09,10,11,14,17,-21'
Iraq: 91,03,04,05,06,08,09,15,16,22-26'
Afghanistan: 09,10,11,14,17,-21'
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I have two acquired during the Chinese import period. One 1930 and One C96, mostly matching guns, both re-lined to 9mm and re-blued even with some hints of deep putting on the refinish here and there. Under the grip frames the Chinese imports were pretty pitted. Re-lining these was common as most bores were shot out in Chinese guns. Mine were imported by Oyster Bay The firing pins were replaced with new machined ones of quality steel and springs. Grips were also replaced the originals were just oil soaked so badly they could not be salvaged. They actually shoot reliably. |
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Originally Posted By cherenkov: I have two acquired during the Chinese import period. One 1930 and One C96, mostly matching guns, both re-lined to 9mm and re-blued even with some hints of deep putting on the refinish here and there. Under the grip frames the Chinese imports were pretty pitted. Re-lining these was common as most bores were shot out in Chinese guns. Mine were imported by Oyster Bay The firing pins were replaced with new machined ones of quality steel and springs. Grips were also replaced the originals were just oil soaked so badly they could not be salvaged. They actually shoot reliably. Would love to see pics. A good buddy has a Shanghai Municipal Police 1911 that Oyster Bay reimported at some point. I am a graybeard at 50 and still feel like I missed the salad days of the 80's and 90's milsurps. I did get some cool stuff in the 2000s though 
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OP in the pics it looks like there is an importers marking on the left side of the receiver. Who imported it or what does it say? Looks like "???? something , CA" I wished I had picked up one of the $99 Astra 900s that were around at the same time at Birmingham Pistol Wholesale. They were listed at "Fair-Good" but at $99 in 1989, still a bargain!!! Why didn't I get one???? I will never know why I didn't other than fear of spending too much money LOL!!! |
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Attached File Looks like CBE or OBE Huntington Beach CA? @Cherenkov |
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Do yourself a favor and go to lugerman.com and order a new bolt stop. Keep the original and put the wear and tear on new one. You never know was run through yours. I was about to run a magazine through my sons Astra 900 and noticed part of the stop broken off. I most likely would have gotten a bolt in the kisser if I had not seen it We had only put about 150 round of PPU and Fiocchi through it. It might have had a crack already Luckily the bolt stop interchanges. C96 bolt stop It has modern heatreating too. |
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Originally Posted By ARMALITE-FAN: Do yourself a favor and go to lugerman.com and order a new bolt stop. Keep the original and put the wear and tear on new one. You never know was run through yours. I was about to run a magazine through my sons Astra 900 and noticed part of the stop broken off. I most likely would have gotten a bolt in the kisser if I had not seen it We had only put about 150 round of PPU and Fiocchi through it. It might have had a crack already Luckily the bolt stop interchanges. C96 bolt stop It has modern heatreating too. Ordered. Thx.
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Despite the heat, I swung by the range and ran 50rnds of ppu 7.63 through the Bolo. It ran like a sewing machine with the new springs, firing pin, and bolt stop. I was mainly knocking down plates but, it seemed to group surprisingly well given the bore condition. After another cleaning session, I can make out very faint rifling Attached File |
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Outstanding. There is just something about the C96 that draws you in, in spite of their umm, questionable ergonomics. I am happy mine was re-done in 9mm as it makes it much more economical to shoot. I have yet to shoot it with the stock attached, but that day is coming. A Bolo has crept onto my list of "just one more" to have. I too have the obscure gun syndrome. |
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