Both the Nationalists and the Communists fought in an uneasy alliance against the Japanese. By the end of World War II, the civil war again ignited and the Communists became victorious in 1949 when the People’s Republic of China was proclaimed. China entered the Korean War on the side of the North Koreans in 1950.
HANDGUNS
MAUSER
Between the two world wars, the Chinese military purchased a number of Mauser 1896 pistols directly from Mauser and other commercial sources. These purchases consisted mainly of Bolos and Model 1930s. In addition to these purchases, China made its own copies of the Mauser broomhandle as well as the Astra. See Germany, Handguns, Mauser for more detailed descriptions and prices.
CHINESE MAUSERS
The Chinese government purchased a large quantity of Mauser pistols directly from Mauser and continued to do so until they began purchasing Browning Hi-Power pistols from FN in the mid 1930s. The Chinese bought many Bolos and Model 1930 pistols. Some of these pistols are marked with Chinese characters, many are not. The Chinese also made their own copies of Mauser broomhandles as well as Spanish copies. Some of the more commonly encountered varieties are listed here.
Chinese contract Mauser 1896 and 1930, standard or bolo frame. With or without Chinese markings.
Many thousands of these were imported in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Many are in fair or poor condition. Bores are usually a rusted hole that a .30 caliber bullet will drop through. A few specimans in good or VG condition might be seen. Many were rebuilt and re-finished by importers or other companies. For a re-built gun with new 7.63 or 9mm barrel, use the Good value.
Chinese Marked, Handmade Copies
Crude copies of the Model 96; unsafe to fire.
Taku-Naval Dockyard Model
Approximately 6,000 copies of the Model 96 were made at the Taku-Naval Dockyard. Values listed below include a correct shoulder stock/holder.
Taku Naval Dockyard Model • Private collection, Paul Goodwin photo
Shansei Arsenal Model
Approximately 8,000 Model 96 pistols were manufactured in .45 ACP caliber at the Shansei Province Arsenal in 1929. Magazine capacity is 10 rounds.
NOTE: It has been reported that some newly made copies of the Shansei .45 were recently exported from China. Proceed with caution.
NOTE: Copies of the Model 96 were made by Unceta (Astra), Eulogio Arostegui (Azul), and Zulaica y Cia (Royal) and marketed by the firm of Beistegui Hermanos. These copies are covered in their own sections of this text.
Courtesy Gale Morgan
Courtesy Gale Morgan
CHINA STATE ARSENALS
From top to bottom: M20 export model, K54, K51 • Courtesy Chuck Karwan
Type 51/54 Pistol (TT33)
A 7.62mm semi-automatic pistol with a 4.5" barrel and 8-shot magazine. There is no safety. This model was produced in a number of communist countries. It is essentially a Soviet Tokarev TT-33.
NOTE: For cutaways add 200 percent.
Type 51/54 Pistol by Norinco
A 7.62mm semi-automatic pistol with a 4.5" barrel and 8-shot magazine. Made in the 1990s by Norinco for export to the U.S. A safety was added to comply with U.S. regulations. Also offered in 9mm or as a convertible model that came with 7.62 and 9mm barrel and magazines. Add 25 percent for two barrel set.
Type 59 Makarov by Norinco
This semi-automatic pistol is similar in appearance to the Walther PP pistol and is chambered for the 9mm Makarov (9x18mm) cartridge. It has a double-action trigger and is fitted with fixed sights. Barrel length is 3.6" and overall length is 6.4". Weight is approximately 25 oz. Magazine capacity is 8 rounds. Made for export by Norinco and imported in the early 1990s. No original Chinese issue Type 59s have been imported. If there are any here, it is likely they were vet “bringbacks” from Viet Nam or a later conflict.
Add 100 percent for Chinese issue Type 59 without Norinco markings.
Type 80
A Chinese version of the Mauser 96 pistol chambered for the 7.63x25mm cartridge. Fitted with a 7" barrel and detachable 10- or 20-round magazine, this pistol is capable of select fire. Weight is approximately 40 oz. See Mauser Schnellfeuer.
North Vietnamese Type 50 M • Paul Goodwin photo
SUBMACHINE GUNS
Type 43/53
This is a Chinese copy of a Soviet PPS 43 built during the Korean War.
Pre-1968
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