Welcome everyone to the 143rd edition of ‘Hot Gat or Fudd Crap?’, one of our many series here on TFB. If you’re new to the series, this is where we look at the most obscure firearms that are actually for sale and ask the question – is this Gat a sweet deal or only has a Fudd appeal?  Each week the TFB staff weighs in with their thoughts, but readers get the final say in the poll at the bottom of each article.

In our last edition, our poll showed that you, the readers, decided the bullpup Saiga 12 was fudd crap.  

HGFC – Saiga Bullpup Special — Poll Results

At this time the original auction remains up with the bullpup converted Saiga still up for grabs.  We can only hope someone will find it in their heart to give this Saiga a new home in the near future.   

In this week’s edition of HGFC, we look at a commercial Mauser C96 chambered in 9mm Luger. As is tradition, this long gat is currently up for sale on GunBroker for $1,495.00.  

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? 

Is This Mauser a Wowser or Just a Middlerbrow-ser? 

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Is This Mauser a Wowser or just a Middlerbrow-ser?

Let’s see what the Staff had to say about this week’s offering:

“If you are looking for a new pistol caliber carbine but are turned off by good accuracy, ergonomics, easy-to-find parts and accessories, and the ability to mount an optic, I’ve got the perfect gun for you.” – James Reeves

“Long Gat is long” – Matt M.

“Feel like a 1940s German Joker would be less chipper” – Sam S.

“What, stock sold separately?” -Rusty S.

Selling this WWI-esque sporter gat is GunBroker seller TwinCollectors, located in Wyckoff, NJ.  Let’s see what they had to say about this rare broomhandle Mauser.  

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Is This Mauser a Wowser or just a Middlerbrow-ser?

Mauser Mdl. Custom C96 Post-War Commercial Cal. 9mm 1920s. This mis-matched commerical gun retains 0% of its finish. The gun shows wear all throughout. All the markings are worn but remain in intact. The grips show a lot of wear and show some shrinkage from age. The gun is completely mismatched. The gun has pits along the frame and slide. The custom 16 inch barrel has no finish towards the action end but has very little wear and shows most of it original blue towards the muzzle end. The bore is immaculate with no rust pits or frost. The rifling is well defined and strong. The gun is import marked on both sides of the frame.  The gun functions as intended but care should be taken if you plan to shoot it. The recoil spring seems weak and might need tt be replaced. The interior of the gun is very clean and it should make a fine piece for someone who enjoys oddities.

I am a private individiual and will be shipping this through a dealer. I accept USPS Money Order and personal checks but personal checks have a 10 day waiting period before shipment.

There are no returns and these are sold as Curio and Relics and must be checked by the gunsmith before shooting. I will not be getting these checked out before shipping so I leave that up to you.

Shipping will be $45 flat rate and insured for the full purchase price of the firearm.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Is This Mauser a Wowser or just a Middlerbrow-ser?

If you’ve watched enough star wars growing up, you are probably secretly (or not secretly) quite fond of a broomhandle Mauser.  During WWI, these were heavily produced with various variants available.  This practical model looks like it had a detachable stock at one point, but has since been lost or is rotting away somewhere.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Is This Mauser a Wowser or just a Middlerbrow-ser?

As you’d expect, this 100+-year-old gun is showing plenty of age.  I imagine this gun would still shoot as it looks like it’s in working order.  However, I’d have zero interest in firing modern 9mm through this relic.  Not to mention, it’s not worth cutting it down to make it a proper pistol.  So at this point, I have to agree with the seller.  It’s best off in the hands of someone who collects oddities.

So what’s a relic like this worth?  Certainly, there’s a market somewhere for 16″ post-war C96 Mausers, but I can’t imagine what that market looks like.  So is it worth the price this seller is asking?  As always I leave that up to you, the readers, to decide.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Is This Mauser a Wowser or just a Middlerbrow-ser?

What do you think?  Is this long-barrelled C96 a Hot Gat or tired and worn-out Fudd Crap?  Be sure to let us know in the comments below, and cast your vote to let us know if this Mauser Custom 16 in C96 Post-War Commerical is a Hot Gat or Fudd Crap: