The Mauser C96, also known as the "Broomhandle", is a semi-automatic pistol that is the preferred firearm of The Captain. Although originally designed as a sidearm, The Captain uses a modified version with an extremely long barrel. It first appears holstered in OVA III and it was first used in OVA IX against Heinkel.
Usage[]
The Captain's dual Mauser C96 pistols are used throughout the Hellsing manga and OVA.
History[]
The C96 was produced by German arms manufacturer Mauser from 1896 to 1937. A very popular pistol, approximately 1 million of them were manufactured by Mauser, as well as replicas manufactured by China and Spain. It's distinctive for its grip shaped like the handle of a broom, (hence its nickname) the box magazine placed in front of the trigger, and a detachable wooden shoulder stock which can double as a holster or carrying case.
With its shoulder stock, long barrel, and high-velocity cartridge, the Mauser C96 had superior range and better penetration than most other standard pistols of its day; the 7.63×25mm Mauser cartridge was the highest velocity commercially manufactured pistol cartridge in existence until the advent of the .357 Magnum cartridge in 1935.
Weight[]
It weighs 1.13 kg (39.9 oz) unloaded, but it is unknown how much the Captain's modified version weighs.
Length[]
The original long-barreled version was 312 mm (12.3 in) long; the short-barreled "Bolo" version was 271 mm (10.7 in) long. The long-barreled version had a 140 mm (5.5 in) barrel, and the short-barreled "Bolo" version was 99 mm (3.9 in). It is estimated The Captain's extremely lengthened version is at least 508 mm (20 in) long.
Ammunition[]
The pistol uses either a 7.63×25mm round, or a 9×19mm round. However, in China, the ACP .45 was used. It came in 6-, 10-, and 20-round integral or detachable magazines; 40-round detachable magazines were also made. It has a short recoil action and has a muzzle velocity of 425 m/s (1,394 ft/s), although it is unknown if The Captain's modified version keeps the same muzzle velocity. It is considered effective in a range from 150-200m.