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

This is my Genuine Red 9 Mauser C96 Broomhandle Pistol.
I little bit of history about it, but also some tips on identifying a real Red 9 Broomhandle Mauser.
This is one of the 150,000 contracted (only 130,xxx some were delivered by war's end) Prussian Contract guns, and a 1920 Rework that has had no re-working aside from the stamp.
More info on the Prussian Contract guns: askmisterscience.com/1896mause...
More info on the 1920 Reworks: askmisterscience.com/1896mause...
And for all your detailed and general awesome info on the Mauser Broomhandles:
askmisterscience.com/1896mause...

[@matthiashellmann6211]

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

[@mitchloren]

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

[@carmenpfannstiel4324]

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

[@roentgenray1]

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.

[@johnski4709]

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.

[@khyberpasscustoms9663]

I love it

[@johnnydoe7846]

⁠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.

[@scottjua]

They very well could be original to the gun. There are many documented red 9 with standard grips.

[@johnnydoe7846]

@@scottjua yeah true. One of the things making me suspicious is the fact that all six digits are stamped into the back side of each grip panel and I think the norm was usually just the last three or four digits? Also the top and bottom of each grip panel has the customary horizontal lines but the middle section (where they would have put a 9) is smooth without any grooves. I suppose the Germans might have sanded off the “9” then stamped on the 1920 and said good enough lol 😏

[@David-fp7yc]

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.

[@sergeantbigmac]

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.

[@scottjua]

sergeantbigmac sounds like a legit 1920 rework. That was the more typical rework where they shortened the barrels and milled the rear sight off. See the site linked in the description for more info on the 1920 reworks.

[@sergeantbigmac]

Thank you, I checked and it looks EXACTLY like the model at the bottom of the page on the second link. Ive wanted a C96 for a longtime and its a good price but this variant just looks weird to me. I'll have to think hard about buying it... BTW what would you place approx value on this model in good condition? Thanks again.

[@David-fp7yc]

1920s reworks usually are worth much less than Red 9 pistols left in its original state. In terms of its price, a 1920s rework can be anywhere from $1000-$1600, depending on condition.

[@johnnydoe7846]

@@sergeantbigmacjust curious if you ended up getting it? 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.)

[@kalashloy4179]

cool, is it all matching?

[@scottjua]

unfortunately not. The only part mis-matching is the locking frame. I have no idea why... maybe during the 1920 rework? Everything else matches... even the seer and other small parts that are numbered that are internal. Weird. Whatever though... it fires perfectly. ^_^The price was right too. ^_^

[@naeemmayar8769]

A1

[@rattraped]

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.

[@scottjua]

Were you addressing me? What comment was incorrect?

[@emmetjohnston8424]

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