Broomhandle Problems

[foggbird]

I have a Mauser Broomhandle that appears to have a broken safety. It won't let the hammer fall, and the safety lever swings freely. I am looking for a gunsmith who can repair it. somebody who specializes in Broomhandles or at least knows something about them and can get parts. Help!

 

[Cyrano]

If the safety swings freely, probably the extension to the front that serves as a spring, is broken. The extension is the long part of the safety on the top lockwork package in the first photo. If the safety is down, and the hammer won't fall when you pull the trigger, you probably have some other problem. I'd strip the gun, remove the safety and see if the hammer will fall. If not, your problem is somewhere else, very likely with the disconnector not making contact with the trigger. The disconnector is the part marked 16 on the top lockwork package and 885 on the bottom one on the second photo. Disassembly is a little more complicated than stripping a Colt 45 auto, but not hard. There are instructions in the NRA book of Firearms Disassembly, and probably elsewhere, including on line. New parts can be obtained form Firearm Parts & Accessories | Military Surplus | Numrich Gun Parts. There are several different models of safety, so be sure to gt the right one. Any fairly competent gunsmith can probably find the problem and fix it.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The used to a guy that had a place called "The Broom Closet", try searching for that if you don't want to take the above advise.

Ivan

 

[moralem]

Okay I have one other guy for you to check out. Glad you talked to Eugene though, but like I said he is a roll of dice sometimes, but his work is impeccable. Not everyone clicks that is why I am very clear on Eugene's how do you say.....personality.LOL. Ok , try looking up Ted Green out in New Mexico. He goes by Thor's Luger Clinic on FB. He has cut back on his work load but he still keeps his hand in the game. And from his posts on FB his work looks equal to what Eugene does. I have not had any work done by Ted but I am trying to find a piece that I would have him do just to add to the collection. My friend had a piece done by the Broomcloset folks a few years back, but I did not know he passed away. Also try Gale Morgan or Charles Danner. I think Danner has a website but I am afraid to post a link , you know forum rules and all and I am always getting dinged. Good luck.

 

[DWalt]

There are several C96 forums on the internet, seems like they are populated with generally capable C96 fans.

 

[TAC]

Here are several Youtube videos, if your competent enough to take a look. It's a very rare and valuable pistol, so be careful!

broomhandle mauser disassembly

broomhandle mauser disassembly - YouTube

 

[Cyrano]

I may be mistaken but I thought Ted Green only did refinishing, not repair work. I have a SW 1917 that he refinished, and it looks great.

 

[moralem]

I talked to Ted and he is only taking on a project or two a month and staying away from the small jobs. Yes his focus is refinishing but in refinishing he has done repairs but it is not necessarily his forte as you mention. He is just not taking on the volume of work he has in the past. Ted did suggest Tom Heller.

 

[Cyrano]

I talked to Ted and he is only taking on a project or two a month and staying away from the small jobs. Yes his focus is refinishing but in refinishing he has done repairs but it is not necessarily his forte as you mention. He is just not taking on the volume of work he has in the past. Ted did suggest Tom Heller.

Thanks, moralem. Tom Heller has parts but I don't think he does repairs either.

 

[moralem]

Hey I tried.......

 

[nutsforsmiths]

I have a C-96 and have taken mine apart on may occasions. They aren't hard to disassemble, but be aware that when you remove the "guts" of the pistol that holds the safety and such, these parts do have a tendency to just drop off, since the inside of a Broomhandle is a puzzle with no screws or springs. Not a problem, just be aware. Also, to start the disassembly process you need to remove the magazine floor plate by pushing that button on the bottom and sliding the groove forward. Just make sure not to mar the button or floor plate when doing so.

A good reference on this pistol is a book called Know Your Mauser Broomhandle. That's the book I used when first disassembling my C-96.

 

[Cyrano]

Thanks, nutsforsmiths, that's good advice. I made a tool out of an old toothbrush handle dremeled a little bit, to push in on the magazine catch. On most pistols it's fitted a little tightly and needs some urging to move. I was tired to scratching it with pin punches, etc.

If you take parts off the lockwork assembly, note carefully when you remove that little "C" shaped piece at the front of the mainspring. It has to be replaced exactly the way it came off. It's possible to put it in backwards; if you reassemble the pistol like that, it won't shoot and you can;t disassemble it. Major surgery to put that right.

 

[mi2600]

Try this site: C-96 Disassembly

Very clear instructions on disassembly.