An unfired Broomhandle Mauser.

The issue was brought up in the comments.

The ATF FAQ short response leads to the impression that only original C96 Broomhandles with original buttstocks have been moved from Title II (1934 NFA) Short Barrel Rifle to Title I (1968 GCA) Pistol classification.

The ATF recently (Aug 2013) sent this in response to an inquiry by another person about their C96 Broomhandle:

A rifle having a barrel of less than 16 inches in length is a firearm as that term is defined in Title 26, United States Code (U.S.C.), Chapter 53, § 5845(a)(3). If a pistol were possessed with an attachable shoulder stock, the combination would be a firearm as defined. Weapons of this type are subject to the provisions of the National Firearms Act (NFA).

However, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) has previously determined that by reason of the date of their manufacture, value, design, and other characteristics, the following when possessed with an attachable shoulder stock, are primarily collector’s items and are not likely to be used as weapons, and, therefore, are excluded from the provisions of the NFA:

Mauser, model 1896 semiautomatic pistol accompanied by original German mfd. detachable wooden holster/shoulder stocks, all semiautomatic German mfd. variations produced prior to 1940, any caliber.

Further, ATF has determined that such firearms are curios or relics as defined in Title 26, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 178, § 178.11 and, therefore, would still be subject to the Gun Control Act of 1968.

ATF has previously determined that Mauser Model 1896 pistols with reproduction stocks, which duplicate or closely approximate the originals, have also been removed from the provisions of the NFA. Copies of the Mauser pistol using frames of recent manufacture, with shoulder stocks, are still subject to the NFA.

If an individual possesses a pistol and shoulder stock combination that has not been removed from the provisions of the NFA, the combination would constitute a firearm subject to the provisions of the NFA. The fact that the stock was not attached to the pistol would have no bearing on this classification.

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That is the same answer I got in an ATF letter postmarked 3 Jan 2003.

A C96 Broomhandle with pre-1940 manufacture receiver and (Boolean AND) with either an original buttstock or a close replica of an original buttstock is a Title I (1968 Gun Control Act) Pistol (also a Curio & Relic firearm); it is not a Title II Short Barrel Rifle. ATF regards it as a collector's item not likely to be owned as a weapon

However, a C96 Broomhandle either
o with a receiver made after 1940, or (Boolean OR)
o with a stock that is not an original issue or close replica of an original issue,
is considered by ATF to be weaponized and not a collector's item.

Original pre-1940 C96 pistol with original or replica buttstock: Title I Pistol.

Post-1940 C96 Broomhandle or parts kit Broomhandle on new receiver with original or replica buttstock: Title II Short Barrel Rifle.

If I adapted an AR-style modern buttstock to my original C96 Broomhandle, I would have to register the firearm as an SBR on a Form 1. Weaponizing a C96 Broomhandle with a modern, non-original-style stock would remove it from Title I collector's item status to Title II NFA [strike]Weapon[/strike] Firearm.

If I came to sell my C96 Broomhandle, the pistol would have collector's value but the replica stock would have null collector's value (used repro stocks are not collectible in themselves). An original buttstock is a valuable collector's item by itself and more so with an original Broomhandle, but that has nothing to do with legality.

Interesting note. When I bought my C96 Broomhandle (barrel extension, lock and gripframe with ser.no. 107xxx indicating pre-WWI manufacture), the dealer also had a 9mm Broomhandle on a new Chinese receiver with gripframe slotted for buttstock. I could buy and possess the Chinese pistol while still owning an original C96 with replica buttstock only by filing ATF Form 1 and registering the Chinese pistol as an SBR. I passed on the Chinese gun.

Awsome and a fair price IMHO. last auction I went to a a Broomhandle went for $2750.00.

The posts about the possession of a shoulder stock suddenly reminded me of what was probably the most historically significant use of a C96 in America.

“On August 25, 1967, (George Lincoln) Rockwell (leader of the American Nazi Party) was killed by gunshots while leaving the Econowash laundromat at the Dominion Hills Shopping Center in the 6000 block of Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, Virginia.[1] Two bullets from a model 1896 "Broomhandle" Mauser pistol[30] passed through his 1958 Chevrolet's windshield, and it slowly rolled backwards to a stop. Rockwell staggered out of the front passenger side door of the car, pointed towards the shopping center roof, and then collapsed face up on the pavement.
The gunman ran along the shopping center roof and jumped to the ground in the rear. A shop owner and a customer briefly gave chase, but were unable to get a clear look at the fleeing figure. Other customers called the Arlington County police and checked Rockwell for a pulse. He had none; the one bullet that struck him had ripped through several major arteries just above his heart. The internal bleeding was so heavy that Rockwell died in two minutes.[31]
A half hour later, at a bus stop about a half-mile (800 m) away,[32] John Patler, a former member of Rockwell's group, was arrested as the suspected murderer by a passing patrolman familiar with the Arlington Nazis.[31] Later that day, after hearing of his son’s death, Rockwell's 78-year-old father was curt: "I am not surprised at all. I've expected it for quite some time."[6] Patler was later convicted of the murder, and served eight years in prison.” Italicized wording added by Nom de Forum. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Lincoln_Rockwell

While I do not condone political assasination, I do think the incident above is almost poetic in its irony. American’s most famous Nazi was killed by bullets from a German pistol his hero, the World’s most famous Nazi, may have seen in limited use in WWI before becoming a Nazi.

Something else to consider that is relevant to discussion of handgun bullet performance today is that one .30 caliber bullet, weighing less than 100 grains, fired from well outside normal self-defense distances, passed through a car’s windshield before delivering a rapidly incapacitating and quickly fatal wound.

^I remember hearing that on the news when it happened and told my friends "How ironic."

On the ballistic performance, WHB Smith, "Small Arms of the World", Stackpole, 1966, lists the German WWII issue 7.63mm Mauser as 87 gr bullet at 1575 fps from a 5.63" barrel, calculates to 479 ft/lbs energy (that was for the new production M1932 Mauser Broomhandle issued to German police and the SS; that's also close to performance of the Czech M1948 load for their 7.62x25mm pistol listed by Smith at 1600 fps from a 4.7" barrel). I remember reproductions of early 20th century ads promoting the ".30 Mauser pistol" as a sidearm for big game hunters.

That is a beautiful piece. Thank you so much for sharing. Make sure and take care of it. You've gotta truly rare bird

That is a very admirable gun. To make it look even better by comparison:

I was almost ashamed to show my old beater Broomhandle.

Loving that sweeper OP!

This is the gun that was used as the basis for the star wars gun that Han Solo uses.

tark said:

......Nom de Forum, it doesn't have a detachable mag, it it fixed. .....

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I knew that. I was jokingly offering you a sucker bet since it is impossible to eject a magazine if your pistol does not use detachable box magazines.

Have you at least loaded this gun with dummies to check function?

Hi, Route 66. I'll just give you the serial #: it is 126257 The full number is stamped in the usual places, with the last three numbers on the back of the hammer, the top of the breechbolt just ahead of the hammer and on the right side of the bolt lock, just visible if you raise the sight a bit.

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I did some checking in my "System Mauser" book and your s/n falls in the category noted as "Standard Prewar Commercial" as in WWI. So based on that I would speculate that your Broom was probably produced in the 1905-1915 date range. Broomhandle serial numbering tended to bounce around a bit since it was not a great commercial success initially so higher numbers were stamped to give the public the impression that higher numbers were being produced and sold.

So if you follow the logic that the cosmoline was added at the time of manufacture it has been on and in the pistol for nearly 100 years!

I hope you enjoy a fascinating piece of history that you have. From the condition you describe it seems like it could easily qualify as a museum piece.

More pics please!

So Tark , old buddy, how about me becoming your best friend?

All teasing aside that is a nice looking gun.

I almost bought a Chinese knock off in .45 ACP because of a Comic book a couple of decades ago. "Jon Sable, Freelance" was originally written and drawn by Mike Grell. I handled one in a gunshop in San Fransisco of all places back in the 1990's. Despite the shorter barrel the .45 just did not have the same feel and something seemed "wrong" about the look compared to Broom handles or Bolos.

I was also tempted by the Oyster Bay reworks as I wanted a shooter.

Again nice gun and don't let these guys talk you into anything you don't want to do.

-kBob

Sure, they are making unfired broomhandles all the time!

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So WHAT?!?!
The OP explicitly stated he was gifting it to friend after he passed, he didn't buy it as an investment so why NOT enjoy it by SHOOTING IT?????

If I had bought that as an investment, that is one thing, but if I was leaving it to a friend or family member, it DAMN sure was going to show signs of being fired and enjoyed

Alright guys, we need to cut it and get to it.

By "to it" I mean we need to persuade one of the manufacturers to make a reproduction Broomhandle. I think it can be done with modern manufacturing techniques.

Whatya say?

Very nice...

"By "to it" I mean we need to persuade one of the manufacturers to make a reproduction Broomhandle. I think it can be done with modern manufacturing techniques."


I think it would be very expensive to remake that pistol and at a high cost I don't think it would sell well. Cool Idea though.

Check the bolt stop

Broomhandles are really interesting firearms and a lot of fun to shoot. I have a restored one that is really beautiful. In researching them I did learn that it is important to make sure the bolt stop is in good shape. It is a rectangular piece on the right rear side of the pistol. If it fails, the bolt will fly back into your face. It is a good idea of disassemble the pistol and carefully inspect the stop for any cracks or signs of stress. If unsure order a replacement stop. My C96 restored at the Broomshop. Not sure if they are still around but they did a beautiful job.

I have never seen or known of a failed bolt stop. I have seen a case where the bolt broke because a crack started in a runout in the ejector slot. The bolt stop kept the front part of the bolt in the gun, but the rear part came out to the back, striking the shooter at the top of his shooting glasses, bending the frame and cracking, but not shattering, the glass.

Jim

Stocks are legal on Broomhandles, long barreled Lugers, and Inglas High Powers. I have owned all 3.

nice gun, here is mine. honest wear, mostly from the holster

Plastikosd,

Thank you for sharing photos of you pistol. I always enjoy seeing another Broomhandle.