Mauser · Pistol

Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer

Name: Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer
Brand: Mauser

Short recoil (semi-automatic) · 7.63x25mm Mauser · introduced 1932

Also known as Model 712, Schnellfeuer, Reihenfeuer

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About the Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer

The Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer is a select-fire machine-pistol derivative of the iconic C96 'Broomhandle,' developed in the early 1930s as Mauser's answer to Spanish-made full-auto C96 clones. Chambered in 7.63x25mm Mauser, it abandoned the C96's fixed stripper-clip magazine in favour of detachable 10- and 20-round box magazines and fired at a cyclic rate of roughly 950 rpm. Fitted with its detachable wooden shoulder-stock/holster, it became a surprisingly controllable compact submachine gun.

The Schnellfeuer is the source of the famous image of warlord-era Chinese soldiers firing a Broomhandle held sideways. It later achieved sci-fi immortality when a stockless, scope-rigged C96/M712 became Han Solo's DL-44 blaster in Star Wars.

Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer specifications

General

Type: Pistol
Action: Short recoil (semi-automatic)
Firing mechanism: Hammer-fired
Trigger: Single action
Calibres: 7.63x25mm Mauser
Magazine capacity: 20 rounds
Magazine: Detachable box magazine

Dimensions

Barrel length: 132 mm (5.2 in)
Overall length: 288 mm (11.3 in)
Weight (empty): 1.27 kg (2.79 lb)

Barrel

Rifling: Right hand
Grooves: 6

Materials

Barrel: Steel
Receiver / frame: Steel
Slide: Steel
Stock: Wood
Finish: blued

Performance

Muzzle velocity (typical): 425 m/s (1394 fps)
Muzzle energy (typical): 510 J (376 ft·lb)
Effective range: 100 m

History

Introduced: 1932
Discontinued: 1938
Production status: Discontinued
Country of origin: DE
Designer: Josef Nickl

Features

Selective fire
Detachable shoulder stock holster
Detachable box magazine
Tangent rear sight
Broomhandle grip

Safety

Manual safety lever
Fire selector

'Model 712' is a GECO distributor catalogue ordering number, not an official Mauser factory designation; Mauser called it the Schnellfeuerpistole. The early Nickl pattern was superseded by the dominant 1932 Westinger pattern that made up nearly all production. The vast majority were exported to China; German service examples went mainly to couriers, military police, naval and Waffen-SS personnel.

This is a variant of the Mauser C96.