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LOT 1439
Very Fine World War I Imperial German Mauser
“Red 9” C96 Broomhandle Semi-Automatic
Pistol with Matching Numbered Shoulder Stock and
Leather Harness - Serial no. 80911, 9 mm cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. In military use concurrently with the
mes from the deeply branded “9” in the
7.63mm Broomhandle, the “Red 9” name co
grips; even in low-visibility situations, a soldier could know what ammunition to load just by taking hold of the pistol.
Manufactured c. 1916- 1918. Blade front and 500-
meter tangent rear sights, with
the three-line Mauser Oberndorf address
on the top chamber flat, “crown/gothic letter”
military proof on the right chamber flat, “crown/crown/U” on the chamber and bolt, Prussian eagle on the front of
the magazine well on the frame, and the two-line address on the right side of the frame. External numbers are matching overall with a New Safety hammer,
slotted back strap, and unnumbered 25-groove grips with a branded and red-filled “9” on each panel. Included with the pistol is a shoulder stock with matching number “911” stamped on the iron, a “1916” dated leather harness with faint carving on the back that appears to read “PRIVATE ERNEST WETTERER/IN/VERDUM”, a wood handled cleaning rod, and a
copy of the book “The ‘Broomhandle’ Mauser” by Jonathan Ferguson.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% original blue finish, showing some bright areas from stock contact on the underside of the barrel and around the backstrap slot, bright edge wear, minor patches
of surface oxidation and light handling marks. Grips are fine with some minor chips and flat spots. Mechanically excellent. Stock is fine with some minor dings and scratches. Leather harness is fair, with cracking, tearing and lost stitching. This very fine example of a “Red 9” C96 Broomhandle pistol with its matching numbered shoulder stock would make a fine addition to any German military collection!
Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000
LOT 1440
Mauser “Flatside” Broomhandle Semi-Automatic Pistol with Shoulder Stock - Serial no. 22192, 7.63 mm Mauser auto cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This is an exceptional representative example of a Mauser Flatside Broomhandle pistol rig. These pistols were a very early M1896 pistol that was originally produced with the large ring
hammer in late 1899 or early 1900. The most
unique feature of this pistol is the all smooth
slab side flat frame with no milling marks.
This pistol is marked “WAFFENFABRIK, MAUSER, OBERNDORK A/N” on top of the chamber and it has the
early style rear sight graduated form 100-1000 meters with the large ring hammer and long extractor. The underside of the barrel
has three “gothic” unidentifiable script letters and the right side of the barrel extension has the early Mauser antlered firing proof. It is complete with the original combination wooden holster/shoulder stock that has been renumbered to match to the pistol, with the
serial number running across the width of the attaching iron. The pistol has all matching numbers. It has the original leather carrying harness.
CONDITION: Very fine overall, with 85% plus of the original blued finish overall with minor edge and high spot wear with a little more wear on the back strap from the stock
iron. The stock is very good showing a little dull finish on the refinished hinge with minor handling marks, light pressure dents and dings from handling. Mechanically excellent. The professionally renumbered attaching iron has a silvery brown hue overall.
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Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500