C96 M30 - What've I got?

[stnmikita]

Hello,



I joined this forum in hopes of learning more about this C96 Mauser broom handle.  I purchased it locally some time ago because I liked the way it looked, put it away and never really did any research.  This past weekend I dug it out and decided to get serious about figuring out what I've got.  Any and all help is greatly appreciated! 


Here's what I know so far:


1. It's an M30 variant of the C96 and from what I can gather that was the lowest mass-production numbers of the main types of C96s.


2. Manufactured somewhere in the 1930's, probably closer to the beginning of the run of these or toward the middle?


3. I believe the stock and grips to be original to the gun based on the color match of the blue-fired hardware on both and the info I can gather on the style/characteristics of the stock and grips.


4. Personally, I'm really leaning toward this being original finish and condition.  I don't know where, why, or how this thing was preserved, but I think someone stashed it away and never even fired it.  The internals are immaculate with only old oil and lube present.  No other residue that I could find.  Aside from some weird marks at various points in the finish, it's one of the finest looking examples I've been able to find in my Gunbroker and online searches.  The crispness of the roll and proof marks along with all of the matching numbered internal pieces leads me to believe this is the real deal.  The bluing itself seems to be of a kind that I associate with much older Colt revolvers and significantly different (in appearance anyway) of what I typically see from modern or refinished stuff, with maybe the exception of something out of Turnbull. 


I fully admit I could be way off on what I've listed above.  I'm a rookie for sure in this arena so please feel free to poke holes into anything I've put down and I certainly will not be offended.  I certainly WANT this to be an original example and that could be clouding my assessment. 

[stnmikita]

More pics.

[stnmikita]

Next set.

[stnmikita]

Next set.

[stnmikita]

Next set.

[1914mauser]

stnmikita,

Welcome to the forum. I have copied and pasted your 4 points to answer them.

1. It's an M30 variant of the C96 and from what I can gather that was the lowest mass-production numbers of the main types of C96s.

Yes, M30 or M1930, a little over 100,000 of the variation made, if memory serves.

2. Manufactured somewhere in the 1930's, probably closer to the beginning of the run of these or toward the middle?

1930-1940, Yes, yours has features of early and late production and that puts it somewhere in the middle.

3. I believe the stock and grips to be original to the gun based on the color match of the blue-fired hardware on both and the info I can gather on the style/characteristics of the stock and grips.

Everything looks correct and original.

4. Personally, I'm really leaning toward this being original finish and condition.

The M30s have a hot salt blue finish, It does look like older Colt finishes. All earlier C96s have a cold rust blue finish. From what I can see everything looks correct and original. Congratulations! you did very well in an area that can be a mine field.

Regards,

[stnmikita]

Thank you so much!

[zhoolka]

I am not a specialist in this field at all, but did Mauser put S/F on the safety lever???

[1914mauser]

Yes, there should be a S & F on the safety lever of the M30 model.

Regards,