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.
RECOGNITION FEATURES
CHARACTERISTICS
System of operation Short recoil, selective semi- or full automatic Caliber 7.63-mm (cal. .30) Weight: Unloaded: Without stock, with 10-rd magazine 1.26 kg (2.78 lb) Without stock, with 20-rd magazine 1.32 kg (2.92 lb) With stock and 10-rd magazine 1.7 kg (3.75 lb) Loaded For 10-rd magazine add 105 g; for 20-rd magazine add 210 g to figures above Length over-all: With stock 630-mm (24.8 in) Without stock 288-mm (11.3 in) Feeding device Fixed box type, loaded by 10 or 20-rd clip Sights: Front Fixed blade Rear Leaf with open notch, adjustable from 100 to 1,000 m in 100 m increments Muzzle velocity 425 m/s (1,392 fps) Effective rate of fire 60 rpm (semiautomatic); 280 rpm (full automatic) Effective range: As a pistol 68 m (75 yd) With stock 914 m (1,000 yd) Ammunition Mauser 7.63-mm pistol/SMG ball
It’s odd that they would focus on a “7.63mm” version (it should be 7.62mm BTW, but who is literally splitting hairs?) since all later versions of the pistol were chambered to fire the same 9mm round that the Luger PO8 did.
Having fired the Mauser 9mm, Luger PO8, and Walther P-38 pistols, my judgment of all three might be a bit surprising;
Frankly, I would take the Mauser over the Luger any day of the week…although it’s very heavy and unbalanced in the hand of the person firing it, it at least doesn’t suffer from the Luger’s strange “backwards/ up-down” recoil due to the toggle action of its action after firing, which means that you must re-aim between shots.
The P-38?
I’ve shot around 30 different types of pistol over the years, and I still think that the P-38 is the best damn all-around pistol I’ve ever run into.
That is exactly what I was looking for. I am going to share this.
I have one of these for sale. Does anyone know the value. thanks
Impressive firearm
I have all three pistols, The Erfurt Luger P08 of 1915 vintage and in 9×19 parabellum, I like the pistol a lot true you do hae to reaim but its very quick if you practice and it groups very well.
The Mauser C96 I also have in 7.63×25 mauser You goota love the rear sight and graduations what was it out to 1500 meters?
It is a nice shooter I will say Iam not found of the Broom handle
though, I have come to learn that there are other similar pistols thay were in development and the Grips look to be better.
having said that the 7.63×25 mauser cartridge is a known killer and said to be very effective.
The Walther P-38 is also a great pistol I have to get used the sight a little tall and also how ejects to the left.