C96 Mauser Broomhandle Red 9 9mm - How to identify a real Red 9 

Thanks for your clip. It is very helpful to identify those red 9's

Eine sehr gute Pistole im Kaliber 7 , 63 und 9 mm

Mine is chambered in 9mm, has a serial number around 63xxx, a 500m rear sight, proper sight ramp, all matching even internals including the inside base of the magazine floorplate. Safety is fire-blued and solid. Has new safety. Only detraction is the grips which are un-numbered and appear to be replacement, though the serial number on this one falls just before they started putting the red nines on the grips at the factory. No scallop on the follower nor a bavarian eagle; it is an early 9mm serial number-wise. I do not believe it is a fake. Probably a Great War bring-back.

⁠I think I was lucky enough to get my hands on a legitimate one that either never had the 9 branded onto the handle OR the grips were replaced at some point. (The numbers are matched on the inside of the grip panels but I’m suspicious that the grips are not original). It is stamped 1920 but the serial number suggests that it is from the Prussian order of “red nines”. I’ve got a feeling that the grips were replaced when it went into German police inventory shortly after WW1. In addition to the 1920 stamp there are markings on it that suggest it became part of a military/police inventory.

Just awesome video! I’m looking to buy my first Broomhandle. I noticed that the Red 9’s command a major premium. I want a nice example but also want to shoot it some. I may go with a 30 Mauser; I hand load and think I could do so, with some extra effort and expense for dies, cases, bullets, etc. A 9mm would obviously be a much more convenient option.

Thanks for the video and helpful info. Any examples of grips with more than twenty-four grooves. Thanks again. Aloha, Loren

I love it

The lock frame of the C96 from my experience is a susceptible part that is found broken or cracked in half often when disassembling due to age and poor maintenance of the previous owners. That could explain why the lock frame doesn't match. This unfortunately decreases the value of the pistol substantially. Thank you for the video.

Hi, thanks for the video it had exactly the type of info I was looking for (why is clear info on the C96 so hard to find?) Anyway im looking at one for sale on Armslist right now. It has the NS safety, red 9 grips, the Prussian eagle stamp, serial number falls into the correct range, finish is about the same as yours, serial numbers match. All seems right! EXCEPT whats weird is the barrel has been shortened to 4" and its totally flat on the top? The leafsite was ground down and a basic rearsite replaced it. Maybe I missed it in the video, but is this a legit variant or some bubba job? If real how rare is it? Ive never seen a C96 like this before. Thank you.

cool, is it all matching?

A1

I have an original Bolo9 that belonged to my grandfather. He was a Prussian as am I. The Bolo9 that I have is original and has few if any shots thru it. It is a commercial and is not as exact as yours. This one has a 1000, not the 500 and the cutout has the steps. It does not have the notch for the bullet also. This one has the shorter barrel. My record shows it to be 1919 in make. This one is in excellent condition and has no reework. You should know the history of your pistol to make the correct comment.

A fine relic and amateurish narration of it's history. It will always be Han Solo's blaster's grandpappy to me. Pew Pew