It ain't a 1911, but it did catch my eye............

[dorminWS]

I've always wanted one of these. Serial number put manufacture date at 1915-1921. It might be one of the lot manufactured on the so-called "1916 Prussian contract", but I need to do more research. It came with a box of 7.63 ammo, but I very much doubt I'd shoot it. Guess I bought it with full expectation that it would be the grandmother of all safe queens. I THINK I got it for a decent price. Any "hossback" opinions on what it might be worth would be appreciated.

[Taggure]

[newdovo]

I'm diggin' the broom handle grip. I've seen similar guns with a place to attach a long stock to the grip.

[dorminWS]

I'm diggin' the broom handle grip. I've seen similar guns with a place to attach a long stock to the grip.

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Yes, this one has the slots in the back of the grip frame to accept the stock, which at least some of the time was hollow so it could be used as a holster for the pistol when it wasn't being used as a rifle stock for the pistol. I guess that's why the thing has elevating 50-100 yard sights on it like the old Mauser rifles. But this one didn't come with the stock. The grip looks like black plastic in the pic, but it's walnut with dang near a century's worth of patina.

[newdovo]

I guess that's why the thing has elevating 50-100 yard sights on it like the old Mauser rifles.

That is too cool. You need to take a 50 or 100 yard shot to see how it does. Use a rest or sandbag or something to stabilize.

[dorminWS]

I guess that's why the thing has elevating 50-100 yard sights on it like the old Mauser rifles.

That is too cool. You need to take a 50 or 100 yard shot to see how it does. Use a rest or sandbag or something to stabilize.

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Believe it or not, that "50-100" was a typo. It is actually "50-1000". At least, that's what the C-96-oriented sites I have checked say. It also appears from further checking it is not a "Prussian Contract" ("Red 9") C-96. Looks like it must be one of the "Wartime Commercial" ("war" in this case referring to WWI) series, which one source puts at between 1912 or 1914 and 1918 for date of production.