ForgottenWeapons
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Copy of a Knockoff: Chinese Warlord Version of a Bestigui Model H (ad-free)
🕑 Added 2023-01-13 12:00:02 +0000 UTCInterested in Chinese Warlord-Era pistols? My new book on the subject is now available at:
https://www.headstamppublishing.com/chinese-pistols
It was no secret in the international arms market that Mauser was doing a tremendous business selling C96 pistols into Warlord-era China in the 1920s. The C96 was an imposing and powerful handgun that was highly regarded in China. Spanish companies including Bestigui Hermanos took note, and started to produce pistols specifically for the Chinese market.
For Bestigui, this included a visual copy of the C96 with simplified lockwork. If was introduced in 1926 as the Model H, and quickly accompanied by a fully automatic version, the MM31. Both of these were popular in China, and both were copied by domestic Chinese arsenals and artisans. Today we're looking at a copy of a Model H, along with it's stripper clip bandolier.
Comments
Ben Clayton
Hi Ian just a note to say I’m leaving here and swapping to Floatplane as a LTT fan I should have done it ages ago and you get a better cut too
Guido Schriewer
that belt is really really cool. though I don't like the broomhandles at all.
Forgotten Weapons
None that I have found.
ViejoLobo
Are there any field reports from China--from any sources--as to the performance of the 96 and its clones: accuracy, reliability, durability in comparison to each other and to other weapons? I think you're spot on regarding the larger pouch. May have been issued for a detachable mag gun at some point and found its way to this one, or this was "general issue" for all C96s and clones including the full autos. How many mags per weapon did Mauser or Bestigui provide for the detachable mag guns?
