Two World Wars: A Weimar Police C96 Mauser

Published on June 22, 2022
Duration: 12:53

This guide details the modifications made to a Mauser C96 pistol for Weimar-era police service, as explained by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons. The process involved shortening the barrel and replacing the adjustable sight with a fixed one to make the pistol more suitable for concealed carry and beat duty. These modifications were often performed on surplus military 'Red 9' models after World War I, influenced by post-war treaty restrictions.

Quick Summary

The Weimar Police C96 Mauser underwent significant modifications, including a barrel shortened to 4 inches and the replacement of its adjustable sight with a fixed V-notch. The '1920' stamp denotes government property, not the year of manufacture, reflecting post-WWI treaty regulations. Unit markings like 'S.G.V. 39.' identify the specific police command and inventory number.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Weimar Police C96
  2. 03:04Barrel and Sight Modifications
  3. 05:16Government Property and Unit Markings
  4. 08:36Holsters and Service History

Frequently Asked Questions

What modifications were made to the C96 Mauser for Weimar police use?

The C96 Mauser was modified by shortening its barrel from 5.5 inches to 4 inches and replacing the adjustable tangent rear sight with a fixed V-notch sight for improved concealability and practicality in police service.

What does the '1920' stamp signify on a Weimar Police C96 Mauser?

The '1920' stamp is not a manufacturing date but a government property mark, indicating that the firearm was officially registered and permitted for police use under the post-WWI Treaty of Versailles restrictions.

Why were surplus WWI pistols like the C96 Mauser used by Weimar police?

Surplus military pistols were repurposed for police duty due to shortages of modern handguns and restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles, which limited the production of new firearms.

What do the 'S.G.V. 39.' markings on a C96 Mauser indicate?

These markings denote specific police unit identification. 'S.G.V.' refers to the 5th command of the Gumbinnen district Schutzpolizei, and '39' is the individual inventory number of that firearm within the unit.

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