Can anyone tell me a bit about the Mauser C96 handgun?

[T-6000]

I've heard a little about this handgun, but I'd like to get some more info on it. Could you guys fill me in on this handgun? What was the history behind it, how many were built, and who used them (German and non german military branches)? I did hear that they were used largely on the eastern front by the Waffen SS. Is this true?

[Dan Mouritzsen]

Hi

This it not ment to be rude but ever heard about doing a search on the net before asking someone else to do the job for you

http://www.altavista.com or http://www.google.com works wonderfully!

Go here:

http://www.northwest-denture.com/mauser1896/pe1.htm



Regards

Dan

[T-6000]

All the other sites that I went to for research on the C96 diddn't have all that great of an information on this gun, except for world.guns.ru which I accidently over looked. Be aware that before I start asking questions about some piece of history myself I first look for it myself and I *don't* ask for anyone to do any "work" for me, thank you very much. :P

[kiwicollector]

I've heard a little about this handgun, but I'd like to get some more info on it. Could you guys fill me in on this handgun? What was the history behind it, how many were built, and who used them (German and non german military branches)? I did hear that they were used largely on the eastern front by the Waffen SS. Is this true?

To say that they were used largely on the Eastern front is a bit of a misconception as the C96 was well and truely obsolete by the time WWII started. However they did see limited service with the Waffen SS early in the war becuase Himmlers private army was hard pressed finding enough arms to equip itself with since the bulk of manufacturing capacity went to the rearmament if the Heer.

So the SS was left picking up what was left over and what private contracts they could secure.

[park ranger]

My knowledge on the C-96 is pretty basic, but if I am not mistaken, the pistol was originally chambered for the 7.63mm cartridge, and later on was chambered for 9mm Parabellum. You may wish to visit http://www.gunboards.com for more detailed information, there is a section on the GB forum that is devoted exclusively with German WWI-WWII handguns. I believe in order to enter that section, you will be required to register, but it is free, and there is alot of information to be learned on the various sidearms.

Hope this helps.

[Rolf Steiner]

if this is the 'broomhandle' mauser we're discussing, it gets a wonderful cinematic look-in with Sergio Corbucci's spaghetti western 'The Big Silence'... Jean Louis Trantignant packs a mean mauser!

Not that this is much help to you historically of course!