[Guest]

Sorry if this is not the correct place for this. If it's not please let me know. I collect Japanese pistols and rifles and have just found this site after reading a post on the Japanese board. I have a C-96 that has oriential marks on the bottom of the mag housing. I assume it says made in German and was sold to the Chinese. There is a stamp in on the bottom of the frame behind the trigger guard that says Germany. I bought this a number of years because I had always wanted a C96 and also with the oriential markings was hoping it would fit into my Japanese collection as a possible Japanese captured weapon. Can anyone shed some light on this for me. I know very little about the C-96. When I get out of the Japanese Militaria I'm lost. I have attached pictures of the pistol. Thanks, Don



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[Olefogey]

Don,
Your pistol appears to be an early 1930 model initially made for export to the U.S...the Germany stamping, however it has made it to the Chinese as evidenced by the "made in Germany" in Chinese characters. I have seen Japanese used C96's with the the same inscription on the side of the mag housing (usually much larger characters). These could have been captured by the Japanese in China. As you probably know, the Chinese were in love with the Broomhandle, using thousands, and even manufacturing there own copies however crude. Most of the Chinese imports that came into the country in the last 10 years, looked like they were marched on, not marched with!! )

Dave

 

[Guest]

Hi Dave, Thanks for the info. I have had this for at least that long. I bought it from a friend along with a bolo modle for $300.00 at that time. Don

 

[Olefogey]

Don,
I hope I am not misunderstanding you, but you got two mausers for $300.?? That is a good deal even if they are only shooters!! How were the bores??

Dave

 

[Guest]

Dave,

Yes, that was back in the good old days. I sold the Bolo a couple of years ago and kept this one because of the condition and of coarse the markings. The grips look to good to be original but that didin't matter at the time. I was hoping that this may have been used by the Japanese but I guess that there is no way to varify this. I have several Foreign contract pistols in my collection that were used by the Japanese. There are two 1910 .25 Mausers in the original Japanese holsters, and a Spanish Royal, 12 shot pistol with oriential characters that came in a T-19 North China holster. Can you give me any idea what the C-96 this is worth? I don't know if the pictures are good enough to tell the condition or not. Like I said when I get out of the Japanese stuff I'm lost. Thanks, Don

 

[Olefogey]

Don,
From your pictures, I was sure the grips were not original. Take them off and see if the whole serial No. is stamped on the inside. How is the bore? If it is decent, and shoots well, I would guess it is worth $300. - $400.00. I can't tell if it is heavily pitted or not. The bore may be poor and have to be relined...that kills collector value. If it isn't too pitted, someone could have it restored, but that costs big bucks. Better you keep looking for a Hamada and a Inagaki Shiki!!

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the info. I'm not home at this time. Will check on Tuesday. Hamada, Shiki, someday. I have a TGE and Tokyo Papa with holsters, mags, cleaning rods, straps; a Baby with a holster, mags and cleaning rod, about 25-30 T-14's; 10-15 T-94's , 12-15 Japanese flare pistols with holsters, 9 flares, 6 T-26 revolvers, several foreign procurement pistols. Also have about 50 Rifles. Just picked up a Japanese spigot grenade launcher at thee NGD show in Louisville a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Olefogey]

Don,
WOW, nice collection!! I do collect Jap, but I'm not in your league. I assume you belong to Banzai. One of my best friends went to the last Tulsa show and picked up a Grandpa with original holster cleaning rod and two Matched? magazines. Needless to say this was not a $1000. purchase!!! )

Dave

 

[Guest]

Hi Dave,
Yes, I collect Japanese. I have been collecting it for about 30 years. I have been looking for a decent Grandpa for years. That one sounds like a very nice gun. Holster, cleaning rod and matching mags,WOW!!!!! I picked up a very nice 3 digit TGE Papa rig down there several years back, holster; two 3 digit non matching mags; sholder strap and a cleaning rod. When I got back home I compaired the rod to my other Papa rod and discovered it was a Grandpa rod, I was happy!