Great video. I agree that there's a need for a truly in-depth and up to date book on the C96. For those looking for an introduction to the type, I wrote an Osprey 'Weapon' series book on the Broomhandle that might meet your needs.
I sent Ian a link to your video, through Patreon, and told him there was some conflicting information on serial range. Ian said Mauro was the man to trust and he would watch your video tonight.
@@MilsurpWorld I think I got Ian very interested in this, he sent me another message after I left this comment. He said he didn't have Mauro's book available at the time of filming, since he was at Legacy, and is looking at the book now.
Good work on your research. I was sent to this video by Forgotten Weapons so I also just want to say how nice it is to see people not afraid to correct themselves and give due credit.
Great idea bringing on the guy who does the Mauser archives. That pistol looks to have been very well taken care of though the years. My only experience with a red 9 was when my son was younger, I happened to see it in the Resident Evil game he was playing. Once again, I'm thankful for the informative videos.
Channel is getting a lot bigger, happy to be apart of the ride this whole time. Great video and info from both of you guys very entertaining Swiss cheese
I own a French Occupation Mauser Luger and I just purchased a Treaty of Versailles marked (1920) Mauser C96 Red 9 with an early SN. The Luger, I immediately had Mauro Baudino produce a Certificate of Authenticity with incredible information contained in the certification. I will absolutely do the same for the Red 9 once it’s in hand, well worth the small amount he charges. I highly recommend his certification of your Mauser! The books that he Authored and Co-Authored are amazing too. Very good guy and a wealth of knowledge of Mauser Firearms and Paul Mauser himself.
I found extremely difficult to comment on a videos like that because my level of knowledge is not sufficient to contribute the topic on hand. But i made a comment anyway to help the channel
Mine is all-matching, even the internal numbered parts and has all of the correct features of a 9mm except the scalloped mag follower. Serial is 63xxx so it's somewhat early 1918 delivery. Has correct rear sight ramp, goes to 500m, has all correct markings, correct new solid fire-blued safety. Military acceptance stamped. Only thing is the grips are not numbered but have 24 grooves. I think this one falls below the serials where they were being factory done.
@@David-fp7yc do you know what was Standard number marking convention for the grips? I have one with 14 grooves and both grip panels are numbered on the back but they are stamped with the full serial number and not just the last few digits… could that be right?
I know this is common sense, but disassemble the pistol when you're looking to purchase one. A typical area that these guns break is in the lock frame because of poor maintenance of its previous owners. Magazine springs tend to break when disassembling also due to the same reasons and/or age. Also, when looking for a Red 9 or Wartime Commercial C96 with a matching and original shoulder stock, the hinge should have no loop for Red 9s and Wartime Commercials. Finding examples with matching and original stocks in decent or better condition are rare, and will command a significant premium. If your pistol has a military acceptance mark on the right side near the chamber, the stock should have the same mark just about an inch under the hinge plate. Thank you for the informative video. By the way does your Red 9 example come with a matching and original stock? It is a beautiful pistol.
Ive seen multiple C96 in a local shop up for sale and some had 24 grooves in their RED 9 grips, other had like 14 grooves and the last one had 30+. What does this mean?
I was so excited to see your comment… I have one with 14 grooves!!!! Did the one that you saw with 14 lines have a red nine engraved on it? Mine doesn’t have the branded/engraved 9 but all the numbers are matching and everything else is correct about it. The back side of the grip panels are even numbered… but the numbers on the back of the grip panels are full numbers instead of just the last two or three digits.
I've seen two early Red 9's with 31 groves in the grips. Is it possible they used up previous production 31 line grips before going to the 24 line grips? Here's one. www.phoenixinvestmentarms.com/2012C96Red9.htm
It can be tricky, but honest age is hard to fake with wood. Also smell can give it away. Just have to use your best judgment; does the paint look too fresh, does the wood look too perfect and clean, ect.
Yeah that makes sense. Didn’t know if there were any other signs like how original 1911 wood grips would have circle saw marks on the inside since that was the tooling used at the time to produce them. Thanks Danny
To paraphrase the Weekly World News: they've never been photographed together. Why not? This must mean they are one and the same, each operating in disguise...
Nicely done video. Thanks for bringing Mauro on board. I've my Grandfather's Great War bring back. Not really sure what to call it now. I've always considered "Red 9" to be a nickname and have always referred to my pistol as a 1916 Prussian Contract piece. Imperial German Contract?
Fantastic info here! I will definitely be reaching out to the Paul Mauser Archive on my C96 that I believe to be a legitimate Red 9. I think that info would be well worth 50 Euros or whatever they may charge.
