Shanxi Arsenal Type 17 .45 ACP “Shansi Hand Cannon” – BTC 1980s Reproduction C96-Pattern Pistol, 10-Round
This modern Shanxi Arsenal Type 17 is a 1980s BTC-imported reproduction of the famous Chinese “Shansi Hand Cannon,” the largest-caliber C96 variant ever produced. Chambered in .45 ACP and built on an enlarged Mauser-style frame, it offers collectors a scarce blend of historical design and shootable caliber in a commercially made package.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Minor scratches, scuffs, and small blemishes are present on the exterior surfaces.
What’s Included
- Shanxi Arsenal Type 17 .45 ACP pistol (BTC 1980s reproduction)
The Type 17 was originally developed in the 1920s to give Chinese forces a harder-hitting sidearm than the 7.63 × 25 mm C96. This reproduction keeps the historic dimensions, including the enlarged grip frame designed to manage .45 ACP recoil and the slot for an optional wooden stock/holster.
Feeding is true to the original pattern: two 5-round stripper clips load a fixed 10-round magazine. Matching serial numbers appear on the major components, adding collector appeal and confirming factory fit.
Sights follow the classic C96 layout. A drift-fixed front blade pairs with a tangent rear sight graduated from 100 to 1000 meters, giving the pistol the long-range settings typical of the era.
The BTC import mark on the frame and the Chinese character panels identify this pistol as a commercial run intended for international buyers, not a re-worked military piece. Its blued steel finish, carbon-steel barrel, and single-action short-recoil system remain faithful to the early pattern while benefiting from modern 1980s manufacturing standards.