Author Topic: mystery c-96  (Read 7460 times)

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tm711

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mystery c-96
« on: December 20, 2018, 11:54:08 AM »
I have a c-96 with a 4 digit serial number, and all numbers match. It is a flat side.  It is not an Italian navy contract. There are NO marks on the gun. No proofs,no manufacturers marks, nada.  It is in very good to excellent shape. Workmanship is excellent, just what you would expect from Mauser.  So, what have I got?

1914mauser

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Re: mystery c-96
« Reply #1 on: December 21, 2018, 08:56:38 AM »
Please post some pictures and we should be able to tell you what you have?

Regards,
B. Mason
NAPCA member, NRA life member
aim small, mis small

tm711

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Re: mystery c-96
« Reply #2 on: December 21, 2018, 03:36:26 PM »
PICTURES

tm711

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Re: mystery c-96
« Reply #3 on: December 21, 2018, 03:38:14 PM »
1 MORE

1914mauser

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Re: mystery c-96
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2018, 06:09:15 AM »
From what I can see you have a Large Ring Hammer, Flat or Slab side C-96. Not all Flat sides were part of the Italian Navy contract. Some were sold commercially but some were part of a German trials order. The serial number may help and I would have to check some references to verify if there is a marking to indicate if it was part of the trials order. Either way you have a very nice, from what I can see, LRH C96. Congratulations!

Regards,

I just checked a reference and the 3 digit serial number would be consistent with a German trials example. The low serial number does indicate a possible contract pistol.
« Last Edit: December 22, 2018, 06:43:47 AM by 1914mauser »
B. Mason
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aim small, mis small

tm711

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Re: mystery c-96
« Reply #5 on: December 23, 2018, 01:45:56 PM »
Wow that is good news. One minor correction.  It has a 4 digt number 2xxx. Any idea of value?

1914mauser

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Re: mystery c-96
« Reply #6 on: December 24, 2018, 06:04:55 AM »
If all matching LRHs in very good condition are usually in the $3000-4000 range. It is hard to be accurate with pictures provided and the current market but this is a good "ballpark" auction estimate. Value goes south quickly if the serial number of even 1 part does not match. I can't tell from the images but how is the rear sight marked 1, 2, 3... or 100, 200, 300...?

LRH are usually in the 10,000 - 40,000 serial number range.

Regards, 
B. Mason
NAPCA member, NRA life member
aim small, mis small

tm711

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Re: mystery c-96
« Reply #7 on: December 26, 2018, 07:12:59 PM »
The sight starts at 50 and goes to 1000.  Thank you for taking the time to help me.

1914mauser

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Re: mystery c-96
« Reply #8 on: December 27, 2018, 05:54:36 AM »
You are most welcome!
B. Mason
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aim small, mis small

tm711

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Re: mystery c-96
« Reply #9 on: January 12, 2019, 02:45:10 PM »
1914 Mauser: You have referred to it as a "contract" pistol (possibly).  What does "contract" mean in this case?  Thank you.

1914mauser

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Re: mystery c-96
« Reply #10 on: January 15, 2019, 07:53:38 AM »
Mauser would receive orders from a government or agency for a specific number of pistols. Sometimes the order would be serial numbered in its own sequence. As your has an unusually low number for a Large Ring Hammer it could of been part of a special order. This is speculation. Mauser did some unusual serial numbering during the early production of the C96 which has always been confusing to collectors and researchers.

Regards,
B. Mason
NAPCA member, NRA life member
aim small, mis small

tm711

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Re: mystery c-96
« Reply #11 on: January 16, 2019, 01:20:32 PM »
I knew about the serial number confusion.  Now I see how it fits into contracts.


thanx.