Vietnam Bring-Back Mauser Post-War Bolo C96 - Chinese Civil War Era Plaque and Later North Vietnam Capture Gun - Includes Bring-Back Paper 7.63 Mauser

Description:
Please let me know if you'd like to have a link of hi-res photos sent to you of this Mauser. 

This gun was brought back to the United States by a serviceman in 1968 after his tour in Vietnam and the original paper accompanies this gun. C96 Mauser pistols were coveted by Republic of China forces from the 1920s on up through the Chinese Civil War, and this pistol is one of a believed 300,000 such various types of Mauser manufactured C96’s that were shipped to China from 1916 through 1936. This would have likely shipped with scores of late post war shipped brand new Bolo C96 models for the Republic of China armed forces.  Chinese General Chiang Kai Shek’s forces marched into Indochina at the end of WWII to accept the surrender of remaining Japanese forces, meaning these weapons were well represented as having gone into what would become Vietnam in the immediate post war time period. As Chiang Kai Shek’s Kuomintang led wing of the Republic of China government was defeated in 1949 during the Chinese Civil War, Kai Shek’s forces retreated to Taiwan leaving mainland China in the hands of opposing Communist forces.  It’s a reasonable assumption that this gun ended up in the victorious hands of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) and eventual People’s Republic of China’s military. The most likely scenario for how this gun ended up in an American’s hands in 1968 is that it was part of military weapon stores that were passed to the Viet Minh as assistance from the PRC during the First Indochina War, and then later retained and used by North Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War.  

The plaque on the left-hand side of the pistol’s frame appears to be a Chinese military medal or badge that’s been affixed to the gun. A google image search avails only a few other examples, with one dating it to 1936 on the reverse.  The medal/plaque/badge shows a soldier with three Chinese characters above which were translated for me to mean 1) Training, 2) Army Rations, and 3) Medical/Health Services. This plaque has been on this gun for a long time.  Fitting together with the bring-back paper, its worldly trip is cemented as having started in Germany in the 1920s, gone to China, migrated to what would eventually become North Vietnam, and then came home in the luggage of an United States Army serviceman 1968.

The following is my subjective view, and it’s entirely up to you to judge condition from the photos provided. Condition shows CONSIDERABLE wear to surfaces of all kinds – rust, pitting, gouges, knicks, buffing, sanding/abrasion, etc.  The gun is made up of a mix of mismatched numbers. The frame number of 547905 dates the gun to a range from 1923 to 1930, as the Mauser banner logo appears on the left rear frame, it would be considered a late post war Bolo.  The gun appears to be functional, though with it being an antique weapon, I do not advise any use and sell it only as a collectible piece of history.  The safety lever is a little loose. The barrel condition shows how you’d expect for a jungle used weapon of more than 4 decades of extremely hard life: heavily corroded!  Lands/grooves are tougher to make out.  

All In All: It’s a Chinese Civil War era used C96 Mauser, has an interesting history having “been there,” and has documentation of Bring Back papers from the Vietnam War era.

Price: $4500.00 (shipped/insured on my dime)


Photo NOTES: I apply a light coat of oil to guns prior to taking photos, so that might account for a slight oil sheen on some photos. Changes between photos of color are accounted for in lighting in my studio with position changes of my camera or the subject.

Terms/Conditions:
Payments: I accept cashier’s checks/ USPS Money orders (ships business day after arriving), or personal checks (ships 5 business days after arriving).   Business wire transfers are possible, and the item ships within 1-2 business days of transfer.  Payments in verifiable bullion content possible, too.

FFL: Post 1898 guns require a C&R FFL or 01 FFL license for transfer. Depending on the state (looking at you, Illinois), Pre 1898 guns do require an FFL in a few special instances.

Shipping Policy: I ship common carrier (Fedex or UPS), and sometimes ship through Shipoutdoors, which may have a predetermined list of FFL’s in your area. Pre-1898 guns ship via USPS registered mail.  I require insurance on all shipments, as well as direct adult signature upon delivery.  Attempting to rerout or having shipments held away from the FFL’s premise address is prohibited. In person transfers are not possible at this time. 

No Returns. As I only sell used guns, I do not offer returns. This is due to some buyers having previously taken advantage of me in changing parts out on guns they returned to me and one case where a buyer literally broke a functioning part of a gun that was perfectly fine when I shipped it to him. You’re looking at a used gun, so please measure your expectations against that concept, but I will do my absolute best to describe the flaws as I do the attributes. I can send high resolution photos via sharable link and would encourage you to ask for this. I research and then describe to the absolute best of my ability of doing this for 15+ years.  If you have questions, just ask. I’m very responsive and absolutely happy to help.  Bottom Line: I want you to be happy and I operate on a NO SURPRISES philosophy.

In the case of a damaged shipment: YOU OR YOUR FFL MUST ACCURATELY DOCUMENT DAMAGE UPON ARRIVAL. I pack items extremely securely. I use special tape that will display an OPENED logo if the box has been breached.  Shipping damage claims will be compensated back on the basis of how much I can recoup from any claim with the carrier.  I insure for the full value of a shipment, but if you or your FFL do not document it with the carrier at the time of arrival, I likely cannot pursue a damage claim.

Shipping Locations: No shipping to California, unfortunately. Rest of USA is fine.
My Background: In addition to being a licensed 01 FFL (Bookhouse Boys LLC), I'm a LIFE member of CCA (Colt Collectors Association), a LIFE member of TGCA (Texas Gun Collectors Association). 

 

Curio/Relic: Yes

Price: $4,500.00