A Show & Tell of My WWI Austrian Imperial Army C96

[bigbore44]

Only 13,000 C96’s are known to have been ordered by the Imperial Austrian Army.  In 1915 a contract for 3,000 was placed directly with Mauser.  Later, in 1916, 10,000 more were purchased, this time from Germany’s Erfurt Imperial Arsenal.  This one was part of that 1916 order for 10,000.  It was shipped in 1917. It has both an Imperial German Army acceptance stamp and an Austrian Imperial Army acceptance stamp making it a rarity.  Considering it’s 100 years old, served in WWI, and most likely WWII, it’s in remarkably fine  condition.

Each sub-assembly and part that should be numbered is and all numbers match including the oiled walnut, 34 grove grips.  The magazine base plate is numbered to a different gun but, judging by fit and finish, it’s been with this gun a very long time.  The rust bluing is excellent as are all the fire blued parts.  The bore is excellent,  It has no import marks.

[1914mauser]

Thank you for posting this excellent presentation of your Austrian C96. It is a very nice example. Congratulations!

Regards,

[henry bucki]

nice looking broom

[jcoe]

excellent presentation of a very nice C96
thanks