Mauser C96 Commercial Small-Ring “NS” Hammer 7.63mm Semi-Automatic Pistol – Pre-WWI, 5.5" Barrel, Stock Cut, 10-Shot
Manufactured in Germany between 1911 and 1915, this Mauser C96 represents the final full-size commercial run produced before World War I. Chambered in 7.63mm Mauser and fitted with the smaller-diameter “NS” (New Safety) external hammer, it retains the classic broom-handle profile that has made the C96 a landmark sidearm for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair – extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Fair – generally clean with some residue or smudges and slight corrosion.
Rifling Condition: Fair – rifling is present but worn with slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Notes: Moderate scratching, scuffing, pitting, and blemishing are visible across the metal surfaces. The pistol has been reassembled with mismatched parts.
What’s Included
- Reproduction wooden shoulder stock-holster with leather harness
- Steel 10-round stripper clips
The small-ring “NS” hammer variant is prized for its robust firing mechanism and smooth single-action trigger pull. This example maintains its original 5.5 in (140 mm) barrel, carbon-steel frame, and rust-blue finish—hallmarks of Mauser’s pre-war craftsmanship.
A grip back-strap cut, complete with lanyard ring, accepts the included shoulder stock-holster, allowing the pistol to transition into a stocked carbine configuration—one of the C96’s most famous attributes.
Sights consist of a fixed blade front and a tangent rear graduated from 50 to 1000 meters, reflecting the optimistic ballistic expectations of the era and adding historical authenticity to the piece.
Feeding is through an internal 10-round box magazine, loaded by stripper clips (included). The short-recoil, locked-breech action remains a mechanically intricate design that set the C96 apart from its contemporaries.