Hand-made from fitted interlocking parts, the C96 broomhandle was never any nation's standard issue pistol but was a favorite sidearm around the world. Its effectiveness is measured in that popularity, the pistol being produced from 1896 to 1937, and was used in combat from the 1898 Sudan campaign through the Korean War.

When the last round has been ejected, the bolt will remain locked back, being held by the magazine follower. Because the bolt is being held back, you can neither easily nor safely load the magazine singly, but rather must reload by the 10-round stripper clip.

Its effectiveness also may be understood from relating its performance capabilities to the throes of chaotic close-range combat:

Semiautomatic, 10 round magazine, reloaded by a 10-round stripper clip, usable either as a pistol or carbine, firing an 85-grain bullet at 1,400 fps.