Description

During WW1, the Imperial German Army contracted with Mauser for 150,000 C96 pistols chambered in 9mm Parabellum to offset the slow production of the standard-issue Luger P08 pistol. This variant of the C96 was named the "Red 9", after a large number "9" which was burned and painted in red into the grip panels, to warn the pistols' users not to load them with 7.63 mm ammunition by mistake. After WW1 The Treaty of Verseille ordered that all pistols had to have a barrel length no greater that 4" and to only have fixed sights. Very few of the 'Red 9' pistols survive. This is an excellent original, Mauser 'Red 9' Broomhandled, C/96, 9mm Semi Automatic Pistol. This Pistol has a small ring hammer and Universal safety protruding from the rear left side of the frame. The weapon has a 4" barrel and undamaged metalwork with superb grooved wood grips which are correctly burned and painted with the large number '9'. Traces of original red paint remain. The weapon has fixed foresight and rear sight. The left side of the frame is date stamped '1920' and with struck out Regimental mark '2/E.19'. The grip strap is also Regiment marked 'S.Ma.2.122'. The right side of the frame and top of the barrel block are stamped 'Waffenfabrik Mauser Oberndorf A. Neckar'. The pistol is serial number '19032'. It is complete with lanyard ring and cocks, strips and dry fires. Price for this very rare pistol includes deactivation certificate and UK delivery. Sn 9162 (trade)