Mauser Schnellfeuer: The Official Full Auto C96 Broomhandle

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Contrary to what you might expect, Mauser was actually the last company to produce a fully automatic model of the C96 "broomhandle" pistol. The C96 was very popular in China (Mauser sent hundreds of thousands of them to China) and Spanish firms like Bestigui Hermanos and Astra jumped at the chance to make their own lookalikes and piggyback on the Mauser reputation there. The Spanish firms were also more responsive to Chinese desires for things like extended and detachable magazines and select-fire models.

Mauser shipped its first first automatic version in 1931, designed by Josef Nickl. This was not successful, and a better system was subsequently designed by Karl Westinger in 1932. These were sold primarily in China, and were reasonably popular there until European exports into China were largely cut off by the expanding Japanese invasion in 1937. The guns produced at that point but not yet shipped were held in stock, and eventually sold a year or two later to various elements of the German military like the SS (who were not part of the formal Wehrmacht supply chain).

This particular example is a 9x19mm one, which is extremely rare - the vast majority were made in 7.63mm Mauser caliber.

[JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries]

Mauser was actually the first to design a Schnellfeuer. We at the Royal Armouries have a 1926-dated prototype and a patent was granted. But it was never put into production and chances are that the Chinese never even knew it existed. But a very interesting footnote.

[Buzterer]

People can say what they want, still one of the coolest looking pistols out there

[saiberunato]

As a kid, I first noticed the Mauser Schnellfeuer in the pages of Jon Sable comics by Mike Grell. Grell himself stated that he chose the Mauser Schnellfeuer as the primary gun for his character not because it's the best gun, but because "it looks cool" 😅

[G-Mastah-Fash]

I love suprising people with this gun in Red Orchestra 2. They never expect the AT gunner to have a submachine gun as his secondary.

[TheFanatical]

What an ingenious little bolt-magazine-hammer setup.

[abones]

When you want a Glock 18, but it's the early 20th century...

[Brigand]

We all know that the elusive Wauser version was far superior.

[RichardCranium]

Was at a competition once and met a guy who actually brought a schnellfeuer complete with numbers matching stock with him to shoot after the competition and I got the privilege to run one box through it. I'm pretty sure his was a Chinese version, but I was just in awe with the operating mechanism and nerding out. While awkward to grip with stock attached, it was extremely pleasant to shoot single rounds and sketchy to shoot in auto. He had the 10rd 7.63mauser version and it was a treat. I couldn't imagine trying to ride the lightning of a 9x19 version. I bet that was probably unpleasant but fun, and absolutely needs 20rd mags

[johntimothyrola]

" Ahhh... A choice of an avid gun collector. It's a nice gun Stranger "
- Some merchant

[Reijack]

Not only a genuine Mauser Schnellfeuer, but in 9mm parabellum as well? One can only imagine the bidding war this thing is going to spark.

[joshyoder]

The weapon of choice for Dirk Pitt in Clive Cussler's earlier novels, along with a Thompson submachine gun. Classic cars weren't the only thing Pitt collected.

[samuelclayton]

You ain't going to believe this. My Grandson and were talking about this very piece a couple of days ago. I will share this with him. Thanks Ian.

[giele]

I've been hoping to see a video about the 712 for years, and it arrived today, my birthday. Simply perfect. 😁
Thank you!

[narrowpath]

I am always amazed at the level of engineering a 100 years ago in Germany

[PointMan]

The Bandit shooting technique Ian mentions of the Chinese C96 enjoyers shooting the gun sideways was pretty commonly done with specifically Type 17s, which were "Box Cannons" in .45 ACP. I'm not sure how big of a difference it made, but SUPPOSEDLY due to the bigger heft of the gun (the Type 17 was like a third larger than a regular C96) and a less zippy cartridge it was more manageable than a regular Schnellfeuer.

[zulubunsen]

14:42 "cause Mauser had them in stock." Of course it's in stock, that's where you're supposed to store them.

[jameslawrie]

I have a large interest in 1920s China, especially Shanghai and its underworld and the intersection between criminality and the various militaries (1925 is a fun year).
At the time in Shanghai ballistic vests were often sold and they essentially came in two sorts: "Bullet Proof" and "Mauser Proof", the Mauser-Proof being more protective.

[NullStaticVoid]

When I was in HS my mom's boss had a C96 (or a similar Broomhandle Mauser) on the wall in his office next to a few Schuetzen rifles.
Ever since Ive always wanted one of those C96 with the stock attachment.
Sadly I never pulled the trigger on one back when they were still affordable.

[theheadbangguy]

Please Ian, give us a comprehensive breakdown and disassembly of the c96 please 🙏🏻 I can't find it anywhere else

[nakidka.]

Using the hammer to lock the bolt on an empty magazine is ingenious.