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LOT 3373
Rare German Army Test Mauser
C96 Flatside
Large Ring
Broomhandle
Semi- Automatic
Pistol with A.F. Stoeger Inc. New York Retailer Marking - Serial no. 289, 7.63 mm Mauser auto cal., 5 1/2 inch
round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. This is a highly desirable example of a rare early pattern Mauser “flatside
large ring” Model 1896 Broomhandle pistol as purchased on a limited contract for German Army testing. The German War Ministry approved a small purchase of over 200 Broomhandle pistols on November 11th, 1901, for testing by the Royal Bavarian Army. These pistols all have the “flatside” frames with a “large ring” hammer and run
in their own serial range numbered 170-420. A distinct crowned eagle German test proofmark is located on the bottom of the barrel, the right of the barrel extension has a crown above gothic letter “S” German military acceptance proofmark, the back strap is marked with the gothic letter “M”, blade front and tangent rear sight graduated 50-500
meters, “WAFFENFABRIK/MAUSER/OBERNDORF a/N” marked in three lines on top of the chamber, firing pin return spring, early safety, and back strap cut for shoulder stock. The matching serial number “289” is marked on various components including the receiver, bolt, firing pin, hammer, hammer housing, takedown catch, frame, magazine follower, floorplate, and
hand carved on the underside of both hard rubber grip panels. This example is retailer marked “A.F. STOEGER INC./NEW YORK” on the right of the frame, and was subsequently imported for sale on the American commercial market some time in the 1930s. Information on these German Army test contract C96 Broomhandle pistols, as well as other examples pictured, can be found on pages
44-46 and 56 of the book “The Broomhandle Pistol 1896-1936” by Wayne Erickson and Charles Pate, and 68-69 of the book “System Mauser” by John Breathed, Jr. and Joseph Schroeder, Jr. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% original blue finish with some light handling marks, 90% original niter blue finish
and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. The grips are also very fine with a few light handling marks.
Mechanically excellent. This important German Army Test Mauser C96 Broomhandle pistol with unique subsequent
American retailing history is the missing piece in any advanced military firearms collection!
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 3374
World War I Imperial German Mauser “Red 9” Broomhandle Semi-Automatic Pistol Rig with Matching Numbered Stock - Serial no. 10109, 9 mm cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
In use with the Austrian Army concurrently with the 7.63mm Broomhandle, the Red
Nine name comes from the field practice of deeply branding a “9” into the grips;
even in low-visibility situations, a soldier could know what ammunition to load just by taking hold of the pistol. Blade front and tangent rear sights graduated to
500 meters, with the three-line Oberndorf address on top of the chamber, two-line address on the right side of the frame,
a New Safety hammer, and niter blue small parts. The grips are in the 31-groove configuration with the branded
and red-filled “9” on each side and matching numbers on the interior. Included with the pistol is a holster stock rig consisting of a brown leather carrier marked “L.ESTELMANN/
STRASSBURG/1916” on the rear, a hardwood stock numbered “109” on the mounting iron, and a wood handled bright steel cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Very fine with 85% plus of the original blue finish, showing areas of brown and gray patina, bright edge wear and scattered spotting and handling marks. Strong niter blue color is present on the left side of the safety and in the protected areas of the trigger and rear sight. Grips are also very fine with some minor pressure dents. The lightly sanded, refinished stock shows a number of cracks, some glue repairs, along with scattered dings and scuffs, and the very fine leather carrier shows some scuffing and flex cracking. Mechanically excellent.
254 Estimate: 3,750 - 5,500
Important Historic Note
In November of 1901, the German War Ministry approved the purchase of about 200 Broomhandle Pistols for testing by the Royal Bavarian Army.