TJ's Gun Blog

The Mauser Model C 96 (aka "The Broomhandle")

Running through the halls of the Death Star with his trusty sidearm. Seconds from being zapped by a Stromtrooper. Han Solo draws his weapon out of its low slung gunfighter style holster.With a pull of the trigger and a flash of light down goes a Stormtrooper and then another. I always was fond of the way George Lucas picked the turn of the century to model his space Cowboy after. Han Solo is the perfect model of A Wild West Gunslinger that transitioned to a modern pistol when available. I am sure some cutting edge Cowboy trader his Colt SAA in 1896 for a Mauser Broomhandle.

The C96 was quite the machine in its day. It was the first successful machine pistol. The Mauser Broomhandle was made from 1896 through 1961. It was used in 24 Conflicts over the years. There were at least seven contracts. The machine pistol was used by 16 countries.The C 96 was copied by 10 different makers. It was the showpiece weapon in several movies including a James Bond Movie and of course Star Wars as the Space Cowboy Hans Solo's sidearm.

The Mauser C96 was designed by was designed and produced by The German Gun Maker Mauser. It had a cool wood shoulder stock that doubled as a holster. It weighed 2 pounds 8 ounces. It was 12.3 inches long. It was produced in 7.63 Mauser, 765x 21, 9mm, .45 Acp, 9mm export, 8.15 Mauser, and 8mm Gasser. It has a short recoil action and a 10 round internal magazine fed by a stripper clip.

Classic guns like these can be found at Gun Trader Gun Shows as well as our shop Gainesville Pawn. Our next show will be held in Dade City at the Pasco Country Fairgrounds March 5,6 The address is 36722 State Road 52 Dade City, Fl 33525. I can be reached at (352) 359-0134. I hope to see everyone there.Until then be safe everybody. Terry Jewell