Just for fun Finally got a Mauser Broomhandle after many many years

[Jcordell]

Seeing how many here are interested in the old days of hunting in Africa I thought there might be some interest in the classic Mauser Broomhandle.I finally picked up a Mauser 'Bolo' Broomhandle about two weeks ago. I would describe it as a good shooter quality pistol. It was at an estate auction and I got it. Mechanically it's in good shape. Most of the blueing is gone and the grips are aftermarket, but it's still a genuine Mauser Broomhandle with all matching parts (as in all matching serial numbers).......with the exception of the grips. This has been one of my grail guns for many decades. I'm not a wealthy man so I buy what I can afford. This one set me back about $800.00. It isn't pretty , but the pistol is in good mechanical condition. I took it apart (wow the engineering that went into this pistol is incredible) and everything is solid. The bolt stop is not cracked. The bore is in good condition, but there is some pitting. The safety works like it's supposed to. The magazine spring is a little worn out and I'm going to replace the recoil spring and main spring as well, but I believe there will be no trouble firing it. According to the serial number,and research on post-war Bolos, it was made sometime during the 1920's. I've wanted a Mauser Broomhandle ,especially the Bolo variant, since I was literally in fifth grade (1979). It, alongside the Webley Mk VI and the S&W Model 27 with the 3.5" barrel, are my Grail Guns. I now have the Webley and the Mauser. Yes I plan on shooting it. I now have ammo that I got from Midway and I've ordered springs from Wolff.

 

[Sand Rat]

Cool find thanks for sharing, I've always been fascinated by the old Broomhandles as well.

 

[Jcordell]

Cool find thanks for sharing, I've always been fascinated by the old Broomhandles as well.

It's just a cool pistol. Ergonomics aren't great (definitely needs the rifle stock to be at it's best) and it's over-engineered, but none of that matters. It's just a very romantic pistol. Too many old movies in my youth I guess.

 

[Nyati]

A must have for a pistol collection. Enjoy !

 

[Rob404]

Very Cool

 

[colorado]

Awesome!

 

[Adam S]

I disagree about it not being a pretty gun. I'm interested in how it shoots. It sounds like you got a pretty good deal on it. The very few I've seen for sale have been much more than that (though I don't have much knowledge about variations that affect cost this model). Congratulations!

 

[Jcordell]

I disagree about it not being a pretty gun. I'm interested in how it shoots. It sounds like you got a pretty good deal on it. The very few I've seen for sale have been much more than that (though I don't have much knowledge about variations that affect cost this model). Congratulations!

I still have to get replacement springs from Wolff. Just got 100 rounds of brand new 7.63 Mauser made by Prvi Partizan so I'm on my way. But I'm not in a hurry. I waited for thirty-seven years to get one of these so I want to make sure I do everything right.

 

[larry4831]

What calibers did those come in, 9 MMPara bellum?

 

[Jcordell]

What calibers did those come in, 9 MMPara bellum?

7.63 Mauser, 9mm Parabellum (World War One for the German Army. Commonly known as the Red 9 Broomhandle or Prussian Contract), 45 ACP (Chinese made), 9x25mm Mauser Export, 8.15mm Mauser (experimental). There are some older sources that states that a small number of Broomhandles were also made in 7.65 Luger, but I've been in touch with a few knowledgeable collectors who have advised that Mauser never made a Broomahndle in 7.65 Luger.

 

[EDELWEISS]

CONGRATS on your Grail.

I foolishly passed on the huge lot that came into the US in the late 70s / early 80s. Oyster Bay was the importer, back then they were selling for $325. Wow I wanted one so bad to use as a carry gun (I did PI stuff), just so I could say, "scuse me while I whips this out...."

Is yours cut for the buttstock? If it is you absolutely must find a stock. Its NOT included in the NFA requirements, so you get a freebie on the SBR tax.

By the way 7.63 is a great zippy cartridge.

 

[Jcordell]

CONGRATS on your Grail.

I foolishly passed on the huge lot that came into the US in the late 70s / early 80s. Oyster Bay was the importer, back then they were selling for $325. Wow I wanted one so bad to use as a carry gun (I did PI stuff), just so I could say, "scuse me while I whips this out...."

Is yours cut for the buttstock? If it is you absolutely must find a stock. Its NOT included in the NFA requirements, so you get a freebie on the SBR tax.

By the way 7.63 is a great zippy cartridge.

Yes it does have the slot for the rifle stock. I hope to get one, but right now I'm tapped out and they seem to be running between $350 - $500. I've got replacement springs ordered from Wolff and I got ammo from Midway. Genuine brand new 7.63 Mauser made in Serbia.

 

[lcq]

The broom is an astounding piece of engineering and machining. only 1 screw and that is for the grips. some people shoot 7.62 tokerov because 30 mauser is hard to find and end up destroying the gun because the tok stuff is really hot. Privi makes all sorts of hard to get stuff, I got some new brass for my 303 savage. Enjoy your gun you got a great deal, I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I could find one for less than $2000

 

[spike.t]

nice. here is one holts auctioneers uk had in their june 2016 auction it would be a lot of fun me thinks . they seem to get a few in the auctions.

http://auctions.holtsauctioneers.co...alelot=A0616+++1006+&refno=+++99420&saletype=

some others with the stock in same auction if you have a look including one sold by Rigbys

http://auctions.holtsauctioneers.co...5&st=D&sale_no=A0616&subs_value=29&index=view

 

[Red Leg]

You will have a blast with it. I have a "red nine" version in 9mm. You must get a stock for it and a copy of the old Clint Eastwood movie "Joe Kidd" where one of the hostiles is armed with stock-equipped C96. I am not sure it is any more accurate with it in place, but it is cool to shoot, and the boys and girls at the range will be astounded. Now for that artillery luger ................

 

[Royal27]

Now for that artillery luger ................

My sister's father in law that I told you about has one. Very, very cool.

 

[CAustin]

You will have a blast with it. I have a "red nine" version in 9mm. You must get a stock for it and a copy of the old Clint Eastwood movie "Joe Kidd" where one of the hostiles is armed with stock-equipped C96. I am not sure it is any more accurate with it in place, but it is cool to shoot, and the boys and girls at the range will be astounded. Now for that artillery luger ................

It also can be seen in the original Star Wars movie carried by Luke Skywalker. Disguised a bit but none the less in the movie. I think they are cool.

 

[Jcordell]

You will have a blast with it. I have a "red nine" version in 9mm. You must get a stock for it and a copy of the old Clint Eastwood movie "Joe Kidd" where one of the hostiles is armed with stock-equipped C96. I am not sure it is any more accurate with it in place, but it is cool to shoot, and the boys and girls at the range will be astounded. Now for that artillery luger ................

I've owned a copy of "Joe Kidd" in VHS (purchased back in the 80's as a college student) and now in DVD. One of the movies that has made sure that I never lost the itch for a Broomhandle. "The Wind and the Lion" is another movie that I blame for ensuring I never stopped wanting one.

 

[rinehart0050]

Very cool pistol. Congrats on finding a nice one!

 

[cpr0312]

Very interesting and cool find!