Question: 

I graduated from high school in June 1954. In September, I joined the U.S. Army and was sent in 1955 to Austria and then Germany for two years. I met a lot of girls and one brought me home to meet her family, very nice people. Her dad asked if I could get him American cigarettes, so I said I’d try. He then brought out this Mauser pistol and equipment and said, “I’ll give it to you for a carton of cigarettes. The next day I brought him two cartons — total price $2.00. Would you be able to let me know how much it is worth? I have attached photos. 

 -J.M. of New York

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Answer: 

You did OK on that deal! You have a Mauser Standard “Conehammer” C.96 “Broomhandle” pistol with matching holster/shoulder stock, original leather and a box of original ammo. The Conehammer was (with the exception of some prototype and trials guns), the earliest incarnation of the Broomhandle and was manufactured from 1896 to about 1899. There were several variants, with yours being the most common. From what I can see in the photos, your 1950s Bring Back appears to be a commercial model. A number of Conehammers were sold to the Turkish military, and there were some offered with fixed sights and 20-round mags. These latter guns bring a premium. It looks like your piece is in about 70 percent condition. According to the Forty-First Edition Blue Book of Gun Values, it’s worth $2,000, with the matching stock doubling the value. 

-Garry James