Firing a 125-year-old semiautomatic pistol...

[CLASSIC12]

Very nice. My 1922 Swiss Ordnance Waffenfabrik Bern Parabellum 06/24 gets shot at the rate of about 500 rounds per year

It's actually one of my most accurate guns

This gentleman is a notorious collector and seller of Lugers, and also knows a bit about Borchardt

Luger firearms, early automatic pistols and accessories

DWM Borchardt in original case Original manual - 7,65

 

[Kurusu]

This one is only 109 years old.

I do shoot it. But not very often and not much when I do.

And it shoots great and is very accurate.

It's a 1909 Portuguese Army contract.

 

[Watchdog]

Amazing!

And just look at those gorgeous grips on that pistol!

 

[joe sacco]

Great thread. Thanks for the photos. Best, Joe

 

[CptCurl]

Here's the direct descendant of the Borchardt:

The Model 1900.

I shared photos of this one here: Luger for Variety - DWM 1900 American Eagle 7.65mm

Curl

 

[Muley Gil]

125 years old ain't nothing. I have a 1842 Harpers Ferry musket, built in 1844 and a shortened 1863 Springfield rifle musket, built in 1864, that I shoot and I know folks that shoot muzzle loaders that date from 1809-1822.

 

[Weimar]

Ron is a very nice guy. I had forgotten how nice his Borchardt is

 

[iby]

I recently acquired a 121yr old Broomhandle Mauser.
I don't re load.
Are there any commercial loads that would be resonable to fire in it?

 

[CptCurl]

I recently acquired a 121yr old Broomhandle Mauser.
I don't re load.
Are there any commercial loads that would be resonable to fire in it?

This is what you are looking for:

50 Round Box - 7.63 Mauser Ammo - 85 Grain FMJ - Prvi Partizan PPR72 | SGAmmo.com

Curl

 

[Kurusu]

I recently acquired a 121yr old Broomhandle Mauser.
I don't re load.
Are there any commercial loads that would be resonable to fire in it?

What about some pics of it.
Don't be selfish.

 

[ACORN]

While we're on the subject of old auto loaders my buddy has a Bergman Bayard 1910/21? Serial number 7 he's been trying to sell. Any idea on value? It's in nice shape but nowhere as nice as the beautys shown above.
OOPS just thought about checking GB. It looks like he's asking in the right price range.
The only issue I remember was his had plain smooth wood stocks. Almost looked like poplar. Plus the grip screw was too long.

 

[iby]

What about some pics of it.
Don't be selfish.

I wish I had the patience to figure out the imgur thing
would like to share
Mike

 

[Kurusu]

I wish I had the patience to figure out the imgur thing
would like to share
Mike

You can upload pictures saved in your computer directly. That's what I do.

Just scroll down to Manage Attachments and then choose "upload file from your computer".

As an an example my tired 107 year old C96 in the company of the Luger.

Edit. But a good photographer I am not.

 

[iby]

photo

I'm trying

 

[Kurusu]

I'm trying

You did it! Lovely early model C96. Thank you.

Now for the second part if you want the picture bigger.

1 When the image is already in the picture management page select copy address.

2 go back to the message, put the cursor where you want the picture and then click on the square icon with the mountain and the sun. Paste the address you copied.

 

[Freischütz]

I found that C96s often have weak bolt springs.

 

[Bakebfr480]

Very nice! State of the art in its day!

 

[Kurusu]

I found that C96s often have weak bolt springs.

The bolt spring is weak in a C96, if it closes the bolt properly it has done it's part. A weak main spring on the other hand can be catastrophic.

Pierced primers in a bottle neck (valid for .30 Luger and Borchardt too) are generally caused by the shoulder of the cartridge being set on the wrong position, since those cartridges headspace on the shoulder, you can have a problem of excessive headspace on a otherwise perfect gun. That problem on a Luger can lead to a broken breechblock.

 

[italiansport]

I found that C96s often have weak bolt springs.

From my own experience the springs in a C96 should be changed out before any attempt is made to fire it. i made the mistake of not doing this once years ago and was fortunate not to be injured. The gun survived but it blew the empty out in pieces!
Jim