How much was this pistol used in WW2? -Starkiller
- I forget how much it was actually used, but it was developed prior to any wars. I don't know if Germany used it in any large numbers but its production line goes right through WWI so it probably saw at least minimal use. --Dtlwarrior 02:23, May 13, 2010 (UTC)
The "Broomhandle" was never adopted as a service arm by any Western nation. (In China, it was preferred by many warlords, by not a "Issue" item by the "formal" gov't.)
Many were aquired and used by individuals, especialy the "Red Nines", so called by the number 9 carved into the grips and filled with red paint. This signified that the piece is chambered for the 9 m/m Parabellum cartridge, which was the standard pistol round of Germany.
The SS especially likes the "Sturmfuller", which is a detachable magizine fed automatic version of the Ol'96.
Aeroplnut 5/16/11
Its a shame that the Luger became the official automatic used by German troops, the Luger is great but it only fires 8 or 7 rounds and it could jam easily, the mauser could fire 10 shots and i think it had a nicer appearence.
I think I read or heard somewhere that this handgun was used quite a bit in the trench warfare of WWI. This was part of the reason for using the shoulder stock/holster. From what I've heard, it was a reliable, well made gun that fired a fairly powerfull cartridge for its time. Gbeecher 19:40, January 28, 2012 (UTC)