History

Question
We have a mouser 9 mm that has a red 9 carved in the handle and is stamped "Oyster Bay Industry Inc./ Oyster Bay New York".We have found some information on the pistol, but can't find anything connecting it with Oyster Bay,NY. or anything about Oyster Bay Industry inc. Thank You

Answer
I believe you have a C-96 German Broomhandle Mauser pistol, basically the first production auto made and used from 1890's through WW I and even as late as WWII. They were originally chambered in .30 Mauser, which was the fastest pistol cartridge until the .357mag.. They were later produced in 9mm, to shoot the german service round same as the Luger. Numerous companies imported them from Germany from 1900 through 1930's and put their own trade name on them. I know Dietmol and Von Legerk (probably spelled wrong) in NY imported them and changed them to a carbine. The red 9 carved on the grips denotes caliber. Interesting feature: the only screws in the whole gun are those that hold the grips on...German engineering, huh? I have one in .30 Mauser and love shooting it! Not every day, it's old, but sometimes! Go to www.armscollectors.com/sn/usmildates.htm scroll down on left and under C-96 plug in your serial number to find year of mfg.. Winston Churchill carried one during the Boer War as a bit of trivia. Thanks for the question. In good shape it's worth good money.