The following report on the German Mauser C96 “Broomhandle” automatic pistol was published in Foreign Military Weapons and Equipment, Vol. III, Infantry Weapons, Pamphlet No. 30-7-4, Department of the Army, 1954.

7.63-mm Mauser Pistol M1932

(7.63-mm MAUSER SCHNELLFEUER PISTOLE MODEL 1932)

This Mauser pistol was first manufactured in 1896. An intermediate between a pistol and a machine carbine, it was the first successful military automatic pistol developed and, except for minor modifications in 1912 and 1932, has retained its original features.

Originally designed and produced for police use, it was widely used as an unofficial substitute arm by the German military forces during World War I. After World War I, it was largely replaced by the Luger M’08 and the later Walther designs. It was widely used in Russia during the 1917 Revolution and is still found in substantial numbers throughout the Orient and Central Europe. The weapon has been manufactured by Spain, China, and Switzerland. It is unique in design in that: (1) All parts are fitted together or dovetailed and only one screw (in the pistol grip) is used; (2) it has a slotted attachment on the pistol grip, which can be used to attach a wooden stock; (3) it has a folding-leaf rear sight graduated from 100 to 1,000 meters. The magazine is solidly attached to the receiver, and the weapon is loaded from the top by means of metal clips in the same manner as a bolt-action rifle.

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CHARACTERISTICS