The Foundation of Freedom is the Courage of Ordinary People
History On Line
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Mauser C96
7.63mm Parabellum
Semiautomatic, 10 round magazine,
usable either as a pistol or carbine, firing an
85-grain parabellum bullet at 1,400 fps. the Mauser
7.63 was used from 1896 through the Korean War, but was
never an issue weapon. One problem is that the bolt
remains locked back by the magazine follower after
ejecting the last round, making safe re-load only by
the stripper clip. But that clip held ten rounds, which
was very useful in close combat.
TM 23-35: Combat Training: Pistols & Revolvers

Mauser C96 9mm Parabellum
Stripper clip charger of 7.63mm (left) and 9mm
(right)

Mauser C96 7.63mm 1932 Parabellum Broomhandle

Mauser C96 7.63mm Parabellum, 1936, with 20 round
detachable magazine
Westinger-system Schnellfeuerpistole, Selector set at
Normal
This gun was sold to China in the late
'30s (ideographs read "Made In Germany").
Mausers were popular with the CCF during 1st year of
Korean War
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Known as the Model 1916, this was
in fact the 1912 Mauser, chambered and altered to
accommodate the 9 mm Luger Service cartridge, the
original calibre having been 7.63 mm. Mechanically
and in appearance, the 7.63 mm and the 9 mm are the
same. As a quick means of identification, the Model
1916 has the figure '9' carved or painted
on the grips.
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Georg Luger originally developed
the 9mm Parabellum cartridge in 1902. The
cartridges case is rimmed with a slight taper from
rim to mouth which enhances feed reliability. It
uses a .356-inch diameter bullet.
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Mauser C96 |
1915 |
1932 Broomhandle |
1936 |
Caliber |
9mm |
7.63mm |
7.63mm |
Operation |
Recoil, Selective |
Recoil, Selective |
Recoil, Selective |
Length,
Overall |
12.25 in |
11.75 in
25.5in w/stock |
11.75 in |
Barrel
Length |
5.50 in |
5.63 in |
5.63 in |
Feed
Device |
10 round integral
box |
10 or 20 round,
staggered row, detachable box |
10 or 20 round,
staggered row, detachable box |
Sights,
Front |
Blade |
Blade |
Blade |
Sights,
Rear |
Tangent leaf |
Tangent leaf |
Tangent leaf |
Weight |
2.75 lb
(unloaded) |
2.93 lb
3.93 lb w/stock |
2.93 lb |
Muzzle
Velocity |
1425 fps |
1575 fps |
1575 fps |
Ammo
Parabellum |
bullet 115gr, charge
6gr |
bullet 85gr, charge
8gr |
bullet 85gr, charge
8gr |
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Hand-made from fitted
interlocking parts, called the
"broomhandle" because of its
distinctive grip, the C96 was never any
nation's standard issue pistol but was a
favorite sidearm around the world. Its
effectiveness is measured in that popularity, the
pistol being produced from 1896 to 1937, and was
used in combat from the 1898 Sudan campaign
through the Korean War.
When the last round has been
ejected, the bolt will remain locked back, being
held by the magazine follower. Because the bolt
is being held back, you can neither easily nor
safely load the magazine singly, but rather must
reload by the 10-round stripper clip.
Its effectiveness also may be
understood from relating its performance
capabilities to the throes of chaotic close-range
combat:
Semiautomatic, 10 round magazine,
reloaded by a 10-round stripper clip, usable
either as a pistol or carbine, firing an 85-grain
bullet at 1,400 fps.
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Causes of the Korean Tragedy ... Failure of Leadership, Intelligence and Preparation
The Foundations of Freedom are the Courage of Ordinary People and Quality of our Arms
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