From Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in Movies, TV and Video Games

The Mauser C96 (commonly called the "Broomhandle" or "Broomhandle Mauser" due to its distinctive grip), was a German semi-automatic pistol, developed in 1893-1895, and manufactured from 1896 to circa 1937. The C96 Mauser was one of the first semi-automatic pistols to see widespread use and was copied in Spain and China. In China, C96 and variants have the nickname "box cannon," with various explanations for this being either the weapon's weight (2 pounds heavier than the 9mm or 7.63mm variants), its boxy appearance, and / or its ability to be stowed inside its own stock.

One particular point of interest with the C96 is that the weapon is entirely held together through the fit of the parts: there are no pins and only one screw in the entire gun, the one that holds the grip panels on. One unfortunate aspect of this construction is that the barrel and the rest of the upper are a single forging: many vintage 7.63x25mm Mausers have "shot out" barrels that cannot easily be replaced, and so have been re-bored for 9mm rounds. It should also be noted that with the stock attached, it is more or less necessary to use an irregular hold (thumb of the strong hand not wrapped around the grip) to avoid the hammer slamming into the user's thumb.

There are several major variants, though continual product improvement at the Mauser factory led to dozens or hundreds of individual variations arising over four decades of manufacture.

The original C96 Military Model had full-sized long grips, a fixed ten-shot magazine (a version with the 20-round magazine also existed, but because of the inconvenience of reloading, this variant did not become popular), a 5.5-inch [140mm] barrel, adjustable tangent iron sights calibrated to 1000 meters, and was chambered in 7.63x25mm Mauser (aka .30 Mauser). It was made from 1896-1921. Collectors give four variants of this model: the earliest have a "cone hammer" or "large ring hammer" and a short-travel safety (with a difference between the two positions of only 0.18in) where down is the safe position, while the later "Pre-War Commercial" and "Persian Contract" models have a safety lever designed for the 1902 American trials, with longer travel and up as the safe position: this later safety can be recognised by having a hole through the knob at the end of the lever. Later versions with the "new safety" (wartime commercial, Prussian contract and postwar Bolo) do not have a hole either, while the M30 and M712, with the "universal safety," do.

had full-sized long grips, a fixed ten-shot magazine (a version with the 20-round magazine also existed, but because of the inconvenience of reloading, this variant did not become popular), a 5.5-inch [140mm] barrel, adjustable tangent iron sights calibrated to 1000 meters, and was chambered in 7.63x25mm Mauser (aka .30 Mauser). It was made from 1896-1921. Collectors give four variants of this model: the earliest have a "cone hammer" or "large ring hammer" and a short-travel safety (with a difference between the two positions of only 0.18in) where down is the safe position, while the later "Pre-War Commercial" and "Persian Contract" models have a safety lever designed for the 1902 American trials, with longer travel and up as the safe position: this later safety can be recognised by having a hole through the knob at the end of the lever. Later versions with the "new safety" (wartime commercial, Prussian contract and postwar Bolo) do not have a hole either, while the M30 and M712, with the "universal safety," do. The C99 Regia Marina was dimensionally identical to the standard Military Model, but had a side without fuller relief and had generically a more economic finish. It was built specially by request of the Royal Navy of Italy; only 5000 of these were made. Chambered in 7.63x25mm

was dimensionally identical to the standard Military Model, but had a side without fuller relief and had generically a more economic finish. It was built specially by request of the Royal Navy of Italy; only 5000 of these were made. Chambered in 7.63x25mm The small-framed M1896 Compact Model (made from 1896-1899) had full-sized long grips, a short 4.75-inch [120mm] barrel, and a 6-shot fixed magazine. Collectors call them "Pre-War Bolos".

(made from 1896-1899) had full-sized long grips, a short 4.75-inch [120mm] barrel, and a 6-shot fixed magazine. Collectors call them "Pre-War Bolos". The rare M1912 Export Model was designed for the South American market and was chambered in 9x25mm Mauser Export.

was designed for the South American market and was chambered in 9x25mm Mauser Export. The M1916 "Red 9" was a 9x19mm model produced to fill a contract for the Prussian army during the First World War. As it was externally identical to the concurrently produced 7.63mm version, its caliber was burned on each side of the grip and prominently marked in red or black paint. Some collectors refer to the 'Red 9' version as the 1916 Prussian Contract .

was a 9x19mm model produced to fill a contract for the Prussian army during the First World War. As it was externally identical to the concurrently produced 7.63mm version, its caliber was burned on each side of the grip and prominently marked in red or black paint. Some collectors refer to the 'Red 9' version as the . The M1917 "Trench Carbine" was a rare 9.5-inch barrel fixed-stock carbine variant of the 9x19mm M1916 modified to use a massive 40-round detachable box magazine (10 and 20-round magazines were also developed; the 10-shot being incompatible with later M1917s, because of different receivers), intended to compete with the Trommelmagazin -equipped Luger as a trench raiding weapon. It was rejected on cost grounds with prototype serial numbers not exceeding double digits, and most of the prototypes were destroyed due to the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, with just four examples surviving to the present day.

was a rare 9.5-inch barrel fixed-stock carbine variant of the 9x19mm M1916 modified to use a massive 40-round detachable box magazine (10 and 20-round magazines were also developed; the 10-shot being incompatible with later M1917s, because of different receivers), intended to compete with the -equipped Luger as a trench raiding weapon. It was rejected on cost grounds with prototype serial numbers not exceeding double digits, and most of the prototypes were destroyed due to the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, with just four examples surviving to the present day. The M1920 "Rework" Models were Weimar Republic government and military issue Pre-War Mausers modified to meet the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles (1919). They had cut-down 3.9-inch [99mm] barrels and reworked and simplified fixed sights. Pistols chambered in non-standard chamberings like 9x19mm Parabellum were converted to chamber standard 7.63x25mm Mauser rounds. Converted models were stamped "M1920" to show they were compliant; this practice continued on government-issue weapons even after the ban was no longer in effect.

were Weimar Republic government and military issue Pre-War Mausers modified to meet the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles (1919). They had cut-down 3.9-inch [99mm] barrels and reworked and simplified fixed sights. Pistols chambered in non-standard chamberings like 9x19mm Parabellum were converted to chamber standard 7.63x25mm Mauser rounds. Converted models were stamped "M1920" to show they were compliant; this practice continued on government-issue weapons even after the ban was no longer in effect. The M1921 "Bolo" model had small grips, a 10-round magazine, and a short 3.9-inch [99mm] barrel. It was first produced as a variant model for domestic sales from 1920 to 1921, going into full production from 1921 to 1930.The name "Bolo" is short for Bolshevik. Reportedly the Russian Communists or Bolsheviks favored the Broomhandle and in particular the Model 1921. The model was also popular with Poles, Lithuanians, German Freikorps, and White Russians. Among collectors the Bolo model is one of the most popular.

model had small grips, a 10-round magazine, and a short 3.9-inch [99mm] barrel. It was first produced as a variant model for domestic sales from 1920 to 1921, going into full production from 1921 to 1930.The name "Bolo" is short for Bolshevik. Reportedly the Russian Communists or Bolsheviks favored the Broomhandle and in particular the Model 1921. The model was also popular with Poles, Lithuanians, German Freikorps, and White Russians. Among collectors the Bolo model is one of the most popular. The simplified M1930 Model had a 5.2-inch [132mm] (1930) or 5.5-inch [140mm] (later) long barrel, a solid one-piece grip frame and large wooden grips, and a lack of decorative milling on the frame and hammer. Collectors call this model the "M30". It was also erroneously called the "M711" by military surplus dealers to distinguish it from the similar selective-fire and magazine-fed M712.

had a 5.2-inch [132mm] (1930) or 5.5-inch [140mm] (later) long barrel, a solid one-piece grip frame and large wooden grips, and a lack of decorative milling on the frame and hammer. Collectors call this model the "M30". It was also erroneously called the "M711" by military surplus dealers to distinguish it from the similar selective-fire and magazine-fed M712. The "Schnellfeuer" ("fast fire") was introduced in the early 1930s in response to the select-fire Astra copies of C96, produced in Spain in the late 1920s. It used ten- or twenty-round detachable magazines and a select-fire mechanism designed by Joseph Nickl (1930-1932), later improved by Karl Westinger (1932-1936), the latter the most commonly seen. With a rate of fire of 900-1,000 rpm, the ten-round magazine lasts around two-thirds of a second: recoil and muzzle climb is ferocious. Despite this, the model was highly successful: production began in 1932 and ended in 1936 after a run of around 98,000 guns. The Schnellfeuer is popularly known as the "M712", its Wehrmacht designation during World War 2, and some collectors also refer to it as the "M1932." Semi-auto only variants were imported into the US following the introduction of the National Firearms Act, since the $200 "machine gun" transfer tax was originally significantly higher than the cost of the Schnellfeuer itself.



Many foreign copies were also manufactured :

The Astra 900 was a Spanish copy of the C96 produced by Unceta & Cia. It retained the overall shape and locking system of the C96, but used a trigger mechanism of original design.

The Astra 901 was a select-fire variant. Appearing in 1928, it was the first factory select-fire version of C96. The Astra 901 did not last long in production, due to being too small capacity (10-round fixed magazine) for a full-auto pistol.

The Astra 902 was a updated model of the Astra 901. It's featured a 20-round fixed magazine and 180mm-long barrel.

The Astra 903 was Unceta's equivalent of the M1932 Schnellfeuer, though unlike Beistegui's later versions the 903 was not compatible with Schnellfeuer magazines.

The Astra Model F was a version of the Astra 903 chambered in 9mm Largo.

Beistegui Hermanos made copies of the Astra 900 line. Later production examples were, unlike the Astra line, compatible with Mauser-produced Schnellfeuer magazines.

The Type 17 was a .45 ACP version produced in Shanxi, China under the orders of ruling warlord Yan Xishan in order to maintain ammunition compatibility with the Thompson M1921 clones his Taiyuan Arsenal already produced. C96 copies of varying quality were also produced by Chinese arsenals at Hanyang, Taku, and several other locations.

The Hanyang C96 was another Chinese copy of the Mauser C96, produced by Hanyang Arsenal from 1923 to the 1930's. Around 13,000 guns were manufactured.

PASAM (Pistolas Automaticas e Semi-Automaticas Mauser, "Mauser Automatic and Semi-Automatic Pistols") pistols are 7.63x25mm Mauser M712s purchased in the 30s by Brazilian police forces. The name is usually used to refer to two distinctive modifications from the 70s, attempting to make the 900rpm machine pistol a little more controllable. 295 PASAMs are just regular M712s, but 101 "Modification One" guns were modified with an extension welded to the magazine housing which mounted a metal foregrip, and 89 "Modification Two" guns received a more comprehensive upgrade with a foregrip with wooden grip panels and a lengthened rear grip with a 12.6 in (32 cm) fixed tubular stock permanently attached to it. Oddly, Brazil only ever purchased 10-round magazines for these weapons.



The Mauser C96 and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

Mauser C96 "Broomhandle"

Pre-War dated Mauser C96 "Broomhandle" Commercial Version - 7.63x25mm Mauser. Note the rear tangent sight; in something of a display of wishful thinking, the C96's sight is adjustable for ranges up to 1000 meters. Later examples had a sight adjustable to a still unrealistic 500 meters. C96 pistols with fixed rear sights are very rare.

Six shot Mauser C96 Broomhandle - 7.63x25mm Mauser. Note the "cone" style hammer, also seen on early examples of the standard ten shot model, and the early-style safety with no hole through the knob.

Mauser C96 M1930 - 7.63x25mm Mauser. Note the stepped barrel.

A well worn Mauser C96 M1930 with patina - 7.63x25mm Mauser

ASTRA 900 - 7.63x25mm Mauser

Astra Model 902 - 7.63x25mm Mauser

ASTRA 903 machine pistol - 7.63x25mm Mauser

C96 "Broomhandle" Mauser fitted with holster/stock combo - 7.63x25mm Mauser

The very rare full stocked C96 carbine - 7.63x25mm Mauser

The first workable Mauser C96 prototype - 7.63x25mm Mauser. The date of it's first successful firing engraved on the frame 15 March 1895. The location of this specimen is unknown.

Specifications

(1896-1937)

Type: Pistol, Pistol-Carbine

Caliber: 7.63x25mm Mauser, 9x19mm, 9×23mm Largo (Astra Model F), 9x25mm Mauser Export (1912)

Capacity: 10-round fixed box magazine was standard. 6-round fixed box magazine (1896-1899) or 20-round fixed box magazine (1896) were used on experimental models

Fire Modes: Semi-Automatic (most variants), Semi-Auto/Full-Auto (Astra 903, Astra Model F)

Film

Video Games

Television

Anime

Animation

Film Title Character Notation Date Atlantis, The Lost Empire Helga Sinclair . 2001

Mauser C96 "Red 9"

Specifications

Type: Semi-automatic, short-recoil operated, single-action trigger

Caliber: 9x19mm

Capacity: 10-round fixed box magazine

Mauser C96 "Red 9" Version for the German Army - 9x19mm. This model is World War I dated.

Mauser C96 "Red 9" Version with 3 7/8" barrel and fixed sight for the German Police - 9x19mm

Mauser C96 "Red 9" Version with shoulder stock and stripper clip - 9x19mm

Film

Television

Title Actor Character Note Date The Strogovs (Strogovy) Leonid Nevedomsky Markel Golovanov 1976 Mikhail Mitin Tikhon Chyorny

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Notation Release Date Fallout Tactics "HSI Mauser" 2001 Resident Evil 4 Red 9 . with an optional stock and fitted with an underbarrel laser pointer 2005 Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D 2011

Anime

Film Title Character Notation Date New Dream Hunter Rem: Massacre in the Phantasmic Labyrinth is seen in the Geppetto base 1992





Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer

Specifications

Type: Select-fire machine pistol, short-recoil operated, single-action trigger

Caliber: 7.63x25mm Mauser

Capacity: 10 or 20-round detachable box magazine

Schnellfeuer - 7.63x25mm Mauser Mauser M712- 7.63x25mm Mauser

Schnellfeuer with 10-round magazine - 7.63x25mm Mauser Mauser Model 712with 10-round magazine - 7.63x25mm Mauser

Film

Television

Anime

Title Character Note Date Kochikame A Gangster 1996-2005 Strike Witches Yoshika Miyafuji 2008 The Skull Man The Skull Man 10 round magazine 2009

Animation

Video Games

Shansi Type 17

Specifications

Type: Semi-automatic, short-recoil operated, single-action trigger

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 10-round fixed box magazine

Shansi Type 17 - .45 ACP

Shansi Type 17 - .45 ACP

Movies





Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Notation Release Date Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater . . . 2004 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Type 17 . Incorrectly shown as select-fire, with an M712 Schnellfeuer fire selector 2008 Fallout 3 Chinese Pistol Fires 10mm Auto 2008 Zhu Rong v418 Chinese Pistol Bullets set target on fire





Mauser C96 "Bolo" model

Specifications

Type: Semi-automatic, short-recoil operated, single-action trigger

Caliber: 7.63x25mm Mauser, 9x25mm Mauser Export (rare)

Capacity: 6 (early), 10 (normal production) or 20 (very early) round fixed box magazine

Extremely Rare Mauser C96 M1902 Hammer Safety, 6-Shot, Checkered Grips. An early example of what later will be called the "Bolo" style Broomhandle.

Mauser C96 "Bolo" - 7.63x25mm Mauser

Mauser C96 "Bolo" with rifle stock attached - 7.63x25mm Mauser

Early production six-shot Mauser "Bolo" - 7.63x25mm Mauser

Engraved Mauser C96 "Bolo" - 7.63x25mm Mauser

Film

Television





Hanyang C96

Specifications

Type: semiautomatic, short-recoil operated, single-action trigger

Caliber: 7.63x25mm Mauser

Capacity: 10-round fixed box magazine (normal production)

Hanyang C96 pistol - 7.63x25mm Mauser

Film

M1917 Trench Carbine

Specifications

Mauser M1917 Trench Carbine with 40-round magazine - 9x19mm Parabellum. This is a later variant; the first carbines had a slightly different receiver, which also allowed for the use of short 10-shot magazines, which became impossible on later M1917s (but 20 and 40-round magazines were interchangeable).

Type: Pistol-Carbine

Caliber: 9x19mm

Capacity: 10, 20, 40-round detachable box magazine

Fire Modes: Semi-Automatic

Video Games

Game Title Appears as Mods Notation Release Date Battlefield 1 2016 Hot Dogs, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades Incorrectly chambered in 7.63x25mm Mauser and has long barrel 2016

See Also