mauser c96
The Mauser C96, a.k.a. the "Broomhandle" Mauser, was made by German arms manufacturer Mauser from 1896 to 1937. Rather unusual for a semiautomatic pistol, it used an integral box magazine in front of the trigger which was loaded with "stripper clips," and had a distinctive "broomhandle" style grip that could be used with a detachable stock, though the later M-712 Schnellfeuer versions would use detachable box magazines and a select-fire system that allowed it to be used on full automatic.
The C96 was originally chambered for 7.63x25mm Mauser, though variants that used 9mm Parabellum (this variant becoming known as the "Red 9", due to the large red numeral 9 inscribed in the handle indicating the variant), .45 ACP and various other calibers were also made. Numerous unlicensed copies were manufactured by various factories in Spain and China. It saw use by the Germans in both World Wars, as well as China, Spain, Italy, the USSR, the Ottoman Empire, and even by officers in the UK (where it was famously the weapon of choice of Winston Churchill during his military career).
See also
This tag implicates handgun (learn more).