Now, this iconic pistol is best known as the C96 and nicknamed the “red nine”, sometimes just inaccurately referred to as the Mauser Pistol, but rarely mentioned by its designation: P-16.
Construction 96 was Mausers attempt at making what was intended to be the new standard pistol for the German army, but it was not approved for that. It is quite heavy and bulky, and cannot be loaded with a loose magazine. The top-loading with clips is a disadvantage.
However, the quality of the pistol is fabulous, and it became popular commercially in many countries. The 7,63 mm cartridge was the most powerful pistol round in the world before the Magnum arrived on the market post-WWI. With the shoulder stock that also doubles as a holster, the pistol is easily turned into a light carbine with a much longer effective range than other pistols. So, it had a lot going for it, and became very popular, but no one is a prophet in their own land, and the German army chose the P-08 Luger instead.
Still, the German army did buy a number of 7,63 mm C96 commercial model pistols around the beginning of WWI. The young Bavarian artilleryman in the original photo (my collection) below carries one of those.
However, always needing more weapons, the Prussian army in 1916 made a contract with Mauser for 150.000 pistols chambered for the German army’s standard 9mm parabellum cartridge. Thus the P-16 was born.
The pistol was similar to the already existing 7,63mm pistols, so to avoid confusing the ammunition the P-16 had a large number 9 carved in each grip, and the number was filled with red paint, hence the nickname “Red nine”.
The pistol was made from 1916 to 1918, and the contract was not filled before the war ended, about 135.000 were made.
Nowadays the pistol is one much desired by collectors, the iconic shape helps, also the red nines are not an everyday find as many were lost during the war and more were modified post-war in accordance with the Treaty of Versailles, with shortened barrels and fixed sights.
However, there are many “fake” red nines about. 7,63mm pistols with shot-out barrels have been redone in 9mm and have had grips with the red nine added. There are several details that can tell whether a pistol is a real red nine or not. The easiest and surest sign is that the real P-16 will have a Prussian eagle stamped on the front of the magazine, a bit below the barrel. If that is present it is the real deal.
This was actually my first pistol, and I have blasted a few thousand rounds through it. It Stil is as accurate as when I got it, and with no discernible wear, a testament to the quality of Mauser production.