Author Topic: new c96 - caliber question? .30 Mauser or .30 Luger  (Read 4621 times)

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smitter1

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new c96 - caliber question? .30 Mauser or .30 Luger
« on: April 01, 2021, 07:34:23 PM »
Hi to all forum members,


just took possession of my 1st c96 rig    I will post pics next week when i have some time to break it down ... but  a few quick inquiries ... 


seller didnt know chambered caliber and he thought its .30 luger (7.65 x 21 mm) vs .30 mauser (7.63 x 25 mm)  Any way to know definitively?   


also hammer doesnt drop when trigger pulled normally . ..   if trigger pulled really slowly the sear drops and hammer falls.   if i grab the unknown chambered barrel and pull it towards the muzzle just very slightly the trigger/sear/hammer drop works perfectly.        this was resolved after a thorough disassembly and cleaning/lube.


thank guys
« Last Edit: April 02, 2021, 03:17:34 PM by smitter1 »

Osmosis

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Re: new c96 - caliber question? .30 Mauser or .30 Luger
« Reply #1 on: April 03, 2021, 12:38:13 AM »
Congratulations! If you plan to shoot it please review the threads on replacing springs.


I would disassemble the barrel, plug the barrel from the crown end just before the chamber, spray chamber down with silicone spray, then fill it with molten wax. Wax will shrink, plus lube, means wax cast will slide out and you can compare with published case dimensions.

1914mauser

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Re: new c96 - caliber question? .30 Mauser or .30 Luger
« Reply #2 on: April 03, 2021, 06:36:26 PM »
smitter1, After reading your post I would also strongly recommend replacing springs if you intend on firing it. Osmosis description of  casting the bore is the best way to determine what caliber your C96 is chambered for. Regards,
B. Mason
NAPCA member, NRA life member
aim small, mis small

smitter1

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Re: new c96 - caliber question? .30 Mauser or .30 Luger
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2021, 07:50:03 PM »
thanks to all who replied so far.  I do plan to replace springs with wolff springs at link below but description says for 1896-1912 models.   Is that recoil spring Ok for my C96 that by serial number is a late M30 model built in late 1930's.  Pics below and I am really curious about the marks on bottom of barrel and stamped backwards on right side of barrel just behind chamber opening "CBE C.A."     here https://www.gunsprings.com/MAUSER/1896-1912%20(BROOMHANDLE)/cID1/mID40/dID172


hope this hyperlink works with flikr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/192708314@N03/shares/K3Rx27





1914mauser

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Re: new c96 - caliber question? .30 Mauser or .30 Luger
« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2021, 01:03:23 PM »
Yes, the springs should work though may require some fitting. The marks you describe are import marks placed on it when imported into the U.S.. Regards,
B. Mason
NAPCA member, NRA life member
aim small, mis small

smitter1

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Re: new c96 - caliber question? .30 Mauser or .30 Luger
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2021, 06:36:09 PM »
thanks for the replies,  Anyone have ideas who/where imported the gun based on the marks?

On a different forum some suggest that this is a chinese import.  I researched a bit and dont know how that could be confirmed.  Any ideas?  From what I've learned its a commercial late 1930's german manufactured C96 and perhaps imported to US if the "CBE ..." marks are indeed import marks.  I've got some .30 Mauser rounds on the way and will check chamber fit.  .30 Luger fit fine and definitely not 9mm.

Osmosis

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Re: new c96 - caliber question? .30 Mauser or .30 Luger
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2021, 10:01:36 AM »
I would guess it is a Chinese import.


Many of these guns like mine were sent to China, and then years later imported to the US. My M30, with all matching serial numbers, had “made in Germany” stamped on the side in Chinese characters (you can see it in another thread). I could never find importer marks on mine but clearly that is what happened in my case.

So your gun probably started it’s career in China in the 30’s and came back to the US in the 80’s or later. If only these guns could talk and tell us all the history they have been through!


smitter1

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Re: new c96 - caliber question? .30 Mauser or .30 Luger
« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2021, 07:02:05 PM »
still trying to figure out the caliber of this gun. I got some .30 mauser rounds today and place one round each of .30 mauser and .30 luger in the breach, pics attached. 1st is .30 mauser and the round sticks out a few mm from the breach, and the .30 luger (green primer) sits flush. Can anyone tell me which is correct. thanks for your help.

30 mauser
https://www.flickr.com/photos/192708314@N03/51113277125/in/dateposted-public/


30 luger
https://www.flickr.com/photos/192708314@N03/51112246444/in/dateposted-public/
« Last Edit: April 12, 2021, 07:05:28 PM by smitter1 »

Osmosis

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Re: new c96 - caliber question? .30 Mauser or .30 Luger
« Reply #8 on: April 14, 2021, 01:01:39 AM »
It looks like the 30 Luger sits so far in the chamber that the extractor can not engage the rim, but the 30 Mauser looks correct.


But I still think you should cast the chamber to be sure. Maybe something like playdoh would work.