[herve1861]

Hi Gents
I neeed all your help about a strange red 9 C96 !
the serial number is 8207, full matching, tangent sight 50 to 500, 9 mm caliber, look like mint, but without Army acceptance stamp, et no "new safety"
something wrong ?
commercial 9 mm issue ?
low number correct ?
Fake ?
so what is your opinion !
Regards
Hervé


Download Attachment: mini-107_0775.JPG
89.42KB


Download Attachment: mini-107_0776.JPG
81.32KB


Download Attachment: mini-107_0778.JPG
45.21KB

 

[Jan C Still]

Herve
Volume I, page 37, lists the Imperial Army stamp on the right side of chamber, and the following "Distinguishing Characteristics" for a M1896/16 Red 9: Red 9 on grips, NS-new safety, tangent rear sight marked 50-500. Rougher fit and finish than earlier Mauser pistols. Volume I, page 38, "Reported without military stamps: pistols in the 36000-38000 sn range and 126008, 139358, and 140649.

Your description (below) does not describe a correct Red 9. It may be a fake of sorts.

"Serial number 8207, full matching , no "new safety", commercial crown over U proof but strange for me there is no Imperial Army acceptance stamp !!!
Fake 9 mm ?"

Jan

 

[Jan C Still]

Herve
Volume I, page 37, lists the Imperial Army stamp on the right side of chamber, and the following "Distinguishing Characteristics" for a M1896/16 Red 9: Red 9 on grips, NS-new safety, tangent rear sight marked 50-500. Rougher fit and finish than earlier Mauser pistols. Volume I, page 38, "Reported without military stamps: pistols in the 36000-38000 sn range and 126008, 139358, and 140649.

Your description (below) does not describe a correct Red 9. It may be a fake of sorts.

"Serial number 8207, full matching , no "new safety", commercial crown over U proof but strange for me there is no Imperial Army acceptance stamp !!!
Fake 9 mm ?"

Jan

 

[herve1861]

Jan, you break my heart !
Ok I leave the deal with the seller
Thanks for your help anyway, I will be soon (Tuesday) with one PPK and FN 22 with nazi stamps (and theirs holsters)
Regards
Hervé

 

[jcoe]

Herve
Jan’s critique of your Red Nine is most appropriate, especially the absence of the NS marking on hammer. In addition there is another feature characteristic of the Red Nine to look for and that is the receiver ramp under the rear sight. Because of the minimal rear sight elevation (calibration to 500 m) there is only a very slight rise in the ramp under the rear sight bar. One can usually see light {ie you can see to other side) under almost the whole length of the sight bar. The ramp on your Red Nine on appears higher, more similar to that found on a .30 cal C96 with a 1000m sight bar. The appearance of your ramp may be influenced by angle of the picture, but this is something you can look for and compare with another .30 cal C96 that has sight bar with integral lugs(the pinned sight bars are different). Also, the rear sight bar usually bears the serial number stamped into the groove for the sight spring.
John

 

[Jack Lawman]

Here's a comparative photo of the sight humps, Herve's on top, "Red 9" on the bottom:

Jack

Download Attachment: Sight ramp comparison.JPG
35.19 KB

 

[herve1861]

Hello Jack and John
Thanks for your help Gents !
The pistol was suspicious for me but now, I am sure : it's a fake !!!
Thanks again !
Regards
Hervé