Copycats Surpassing the Original: A Look Back at the Various Mauser Pistols Imitated by Spain Back in the Day

Whether it's an object or a concept, anything good is bound to be copied. For example, back in the day, Germany's famous Mauser "Broomhandle" pistol was extensively imitated. Many people think that only China copied the Broomhandle, but in fact, Spain also produced knockoffs during the 1920s and 1930s. Moreover, the later山寨 versions they introduced even seemed to surpass the original.

In this article, we'll take a look at the various types of Broomhandle pistols that were copied by Spain back then.

1.The Royal

This is a Mauser pistol replica produced by the Spanish company BH in 1927, known as the "Royal." In terms of appearance, it closely resembles the 1920s version of the Mauser C96 pistol, with only some details and pins on the gun differing from the original. Apart from that, it is largely the same.

The Royal also fires the 7.63x25mm Mauser pistol cartridge, which is compatible with the Mauser C96, and features a fixed 10-round magazine. Additionally, this model was available in two barrel lengths: 140mm and 180mm.

2.Royal Type I

Following the introduction of the Royal pistol, the Spanish BH company launched the Royal Type I. The most significant change in this model was the addition of a selector switch, enabling both semi-automatic and fully automatic fire. It retained the 7.63mm caliber, used a fixed 10-round magazine, and featured a 140mm barrel.

3.Royal Type I (20-Round Version)

There is also a second variant of the Royal Type I pistol. The most distinctive features of this model are its 180mm barrel and its fixed 20-round magazine. However, it does not have a selector switch and is capable of semi-automatic fire only. Its overall appearance is also different from the previous model. This variant was designed based on the earlier Royal pistol, with its pins and internal components being interchangeable with those of the Royal. It is also chambered in 7.63mm caliber.

4.Astra Model 900

Also in the late 1920s, the Spanish company Unceta y Cía began producing knockoffs of the Mauser C96, introducing the Astra series of pistols. The first model was named the Astra Model 900. Initially, it also featured a fixed 10-round magazine, a 140mm barrel, and was capable of semi-automatic fire only.

Although it was a copy of the Mauser C96, it wasn't an exact replica. The Astra Model 900 had some distinctive features of its own. For example, the bolt guide rails were more rounded, the barrel angle was steeper, and the receiver sideplate could be opened.

This pistol also entered China in large quantities back in the day. Because its sideplate could be opened and the other side featured seven pins, it earned the nicknames "Side-Opener" and "Seven-Pin Box" in China at that time.

In terms of caliber, there was no change either; it still fired the 7.63×25mm cartridge used by the Mauser C96. It was also equipped with a wooden holster stock, which could be attached to the grip for use as a shoulder stock during combat. In later stages, versions with 160mm and 180mm barrels were subsequently developed.

5.Astra Model 901

Following the introduction of the Astra Model 900, the Astra Model 901 was developed as a derivative. It still featured a fixed 10-round magazine and a 140mm barrel. The biggest difference compared to the Model 900 was the addition of a selector switch, enabling fully automatic fire. It was the first full-auto variant within the Astra 900 series.

6.Astra Model 902

Following the Model 901, the Astra Model 902 was introduced. This was an improvement based on its predecessor, with the most significant change being the upgrade from a fixed 10-round magazine to a fixed 20-round magazine. It also retained full-auto firing capability and featured a barrel length of 180 mm.

7.Astra Model 903

In addition to the Model 902, there was also the Astra Model 903. This model featured a detachable magazine, allowing the use of 10-round, 20-round, or the rare 30-round detachable magazines for feeding. It was also equipped with a selector switch for fully automatic fire. The Model 903 had a barrel length of 160 mm, which was neither too long nor too short compared to previous models. It also fired the 7.63mm Mauser pistol cartridge. Back in China, this gun was colloquially known as the "Spanish Big-Bellied Box."

8.Astra Model 904F

Following the introduction of the Model 903, the Astra Model 904F pistol was developed. This model could be said to integrate all the advantages of the previous MM34 and Astra 900 series into one.

However, the Astra Model 904F no longer used the 7.63mm Mauser cartridge; instead, it was chambered for the 9mm Largo pistol cartridge, which is different from the 9mm Luger round.

Another feature of the Astra Model 904F was the addition of a rate reducer, which was integrated with the selector switch. This allowed it to fire in semi-automatic mode and in a slower fully automatic mode.

In other respects, it was largely the same as the previous Astra Model 903, with a barrel length of 160 mm and the option of using either 10-round or 20-round detachable magazines.

9.MM31 (10-Round Version)

In the 1930s, the Spanish BH company introduced the MM31 pistol. Since it was developed based on the previous Royal pistol, it was also known as the "Royal Type II." Compared to the earlier Royal and Royal pistols, this version was much more refined, with a smoother surface and no visible pins.

The MM31 also featured a fixed 10-round magazine, a 140mm barrel, and a selector switch for fully automatic fire. The caliber remained unchanged at 7.63mm.

10.MM31 (20-Round Version)

In addition to the 10-round version, there was also a 20-round variant of the MM31. This model featured a fixed 20-round magazine and a 180mm barrel, but it did not have a selector switch and was capable of semi-automatic fire only.

11.MM31 (Detachable Magazine Version)

Following that, a detachable magazine version of the MM31 was introduced. This variant could be fed using either 10-round or 20-round detachable double-stack, double-feed magazines. It also offered both semi-automatic and fully automatic firing modes and was available in two barrel lengths: 140mm and 180mm.

12.MM31 (200mm Barrel Version)

In addition to the 140mm and 180mm barrel versions, there was an even longer variant: the MM31 with a 200mm barrel. This model was equipped with a fixed 10-round magazine but was capable of semi-automatic fire only. The most distinctive feature of this gun was its barrel-not only was it 200mm long, but it also featured spiral cooling fins, which was quite unconventional for its time.

13.MM31 (20-Round Magazine Semi-Automatic Version)

Within the MM31 series, there was also a semi-automatic version equipped with a 20-round detachable magazine. This pistol had an even cleaner surface, devoid of any stamps or markings, and its overall appearance closely resembled the original Mauser pistol. It was still chambered in 7.63mm caliber and featured a barrel length of approximately 140mm.

14.MM34 Pistol

In 1934, the Spanish BH company introduced the MM34 series pistols. The most notable feature of this model was the addition of a rate reducer located above the grip, which was designed to slow down the rate of fire during fully automatic shooting. While the normal rate of automatic fire was 800–900 rounds per minute, activating this device reduced it to around 350 rounds per minute. In other aspects, it was largely similar to the previous MM31 series. It also used detachable magazines, with options for 10-round or 20-round capacity, and featured a 140mm barrel. The caliber remained unchanged at 7.63mm, ensuring compatibility with Mauser C96 ammunition.

15.MM34 (180mm Barrel Version)

The MM34 also had a version with a 180mm barrel, which featured spiral cooling fins. It utilized a fixed 20-round magazine, meaning the magazine was not detachable.

16.MM34 (Detachable Magazine Version)

Based on the previous MM34 pistol, a detachable magazine version was also developed. This variant could be fed with either 10-round or 20-round detachable magazines. It was equipped with a selector switch for fully automatic fire and also featured a rate reducer on the grip to lower the cyclic rate during automatic mode. The barrel length was likewise 180mm and came with spiral cooling fins.

This article on the Spanish copies of the Mauser pistol ends here. In fact, there are many more unrecorded copies of the Mauser pistol, and those covered in the article only account for a large portion of them.