The Mauser Bolo Broomhandle Overview & History

Today we're looking at a standard Mauser Broomhandle "Bolo" pistol in 7.63mm Mauser. These were made all through the manufacture of the Mauser pistol, but the majority were made starting in the 1920's. This is a standard unfired example of this compact and handy little gun. In this video we'll look at the markings, dimensions, and some of the backstory that accompanies these interesting pistols.

[@paulquinn4704]

It's nice to see a video on the bolo, they are always on the standard c96. I must say that yours is the best I have seen, my bolo is in used original condition & dates from 1923 /28 as it falls in the later 500000 range.

[@davidabney7700]

Thie Mauser Standard Broomhandle pistol, and the Mauser BOLO Pistol, including the Luger P-08 are favorite semi-autos that served the German Army/Navy during WW 1, and to a lesser degree in WW 2. For a handgun produced primarily for military use, the Broomhandle and Luger pistols stand alone in gun-building craftsmanship. The Broomhandle is a shooting Rubik Cube that has 1-screw in its design. Than screw being the grip-panel screw. The meticulous fitting that went into each Broomhamdle built and sold is unparalleled. A firearm like this, that demanded the services of the most advanced European Craftsman to build at the Mauser Company, and using todays labor cost for this sort of advanced engineering would put this firearm out of reach financially for everyone except "Diamond Jim Brady" tycoon of the world. Same sort of deal with the Luger P-08 using those original standards. Favorite two pistols of mine, but for going to war purposes, give me the 1911 A-1 .45 Pistol.

[@davidabney7700]

Beautiful example of the Mauser C96 "BOLO" Model Pistol. This displayed Broomhandle is in immaculate condition, with a blue factory finish, the "fire blue" feature in the appropriate area. A real treasure in firearm collecting and one the owner can be very proud of. During its heyday of manufacture (early 1900's), the Model C96 Pistol was used worldwide. One of the best known owners was Winston Churchill, who carried the Broomhandle as a young British Officer in the Boer War. My understanding of the C96 is that only (1) screw is noticeable with the C96, and that is the grip-screw. This "Old World Craftsmanship" Pistol was built with super-ultra precision. An early day Rubik Cube type of firearm. Recently, I revisited toehold Clint Eastwood Movie of "Joe Kidd", in which one of the "bad guys" packed the Broomhandle Pistol, with shoulder-stock mounted. Another small tidbit of info on the Model C96 was that the Nationalist Chinese, led by the great General Chiang Kai Chek , considered ownership of a Broomhandle Pistol was the equivalent of owning a Rolls Royce Automobile. The lucky Chinese Officer that owned a Broomhandle Pistol for combat use, had to guard that pistol from theft within the ranks. A "cherished" firearm to own in the world of the Nationalist Army of the 1930's through the 1940's Many thanks for this great video!

[@historicmilitaria]

Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for the additional history on the C/96!

[@David-fp7yc]

Easily a 99% example, incredible.

[@indigohammer5732]

Handsome looking pistol

[@scottyb1300]

Do you happen to know what the under barrel markings are for? I noticed them briefly on your example in this video, and I have identical markings on mine, but I have no idea what they mean or why they are put there.

[@historicmilitaria]

Pretty much all C/96s have underbarrel marks that are in general just various Mauser proofs or symbols that don't mean much. The marks do vary by the period the gun was made, and you can check out some of my other videos where different models are showcased with their underbarrel marks - although briefly. During WW1, it was common for instance to see a star symbol on the underside of the barrel, and earlier guns will have various gothic letters. There's no real pattern to them, and no specific meaning that I've ever seen.

[@scottyb1300]

@@historicmilitaria thank you very much. That's sort of what I assumed, but I don't know nearly enough about these old guns.

[@Majorrogerragland48]

I enjoyed the video, you asked " if have one, comment". Mine has seen use; original finish is 85%, no Made in Germany or Germany marks. S# falls in the 519xxx. all matching, I reload and shoot mine.

[@1specificfrequency220]

Wow, I've always loved the look of the Bolo, but in arsenal new condition they were stunning. Maybe one day somebody will stumble across a warehouse full of them in Siberia.

[@historicmilitaria]

You and me both!

[@David-fp7yc]

Do you have a link for the gun socks you use for these pistols? Thank you.

[@historicmilitaria]

The gun socks are actually Bore Stores. They're available on Amazon, and are 100% American Made. Very high quality (and no, I didn't get an endorsement from them lol.)

[@David-fp7yc]

@@historicmilitaria I can’t find them on Amazon, they must be discontinued. They look better than the Allen ones.

[@historicmilitaria]

@@David-fp7yc Borestores.com is their website. Expect a long lead time, but they are a quality product that is so much better than the gun socks you get from major retailers. Again, I'm not receiving anything for recommending them, they're just a great product.

[@David-fp7yc]

@@historicmilitaria Do you remember which size you bought for your C96s? Thanks.

[@historicmilitaria]

@@David-fp7yc They're fairly stretchy, so I believe P-4 or P-6.

[@neilseady5167]

Just wondering if that piece was sold on Holt's about 15 years ago, as i think it may have been mine. Regret selling it everyday ! Cannot remember the serial number. Mine was also unfired.

[@historicmilitaria]

Unfortunately I have no idea on the history of sales for the gun, but unfired Bolos do exist and this isn't a unique gun.