Tell Techno.

[John Cook]

I've totally switched off, now.
Cheers - Phil.

I do empathise, really I do   I'll try to keep it simple

I don't know when it became the convention to measure the length of artillery gun barrels in numbers of calibres, but it seems to have started in the late 19th Century with breach loading naval artillery.  The lexicon of artillery can be quite mysterious but these are the terms you need in the context of barrel length. 

Bore = the internal space inside a barrel
Calibre = the diameter of the bore
Barrel = the tube from breach face to muzzle

For example, take the German 50mm anti-tank gun described as 5cm L/60.

Calibre: 5cm
Barrel length: 60 calibres
Therefore barrel length in cm = 5 x 60 = 300cm

Measuring barrel length like this, is not, in my experience applied to small or light arms. 

Ammunition is a different subject altogether.

[Techno II]

John.

Bless you for trying to explain (genuinely)...I thank you !

My head is going to genuinely explode, if I even attempt to follow this.

Cheers - Phil.

[Techno II]

This one's a lot easier. 

Where does the description 'broom handle' come from on a "broom handled Mauser."

Is it just the hand grip ? Which I grant could be considered to be roughly the shape of the very end of a broom handle... or is it something to do with the wooden  'stoclk'.
That doesn't look anything like a broom handle....it looks more like a mutant sawn-off cricket bat.

Are ALL Mausers 'broom handle' types ?

Cheers slightly puzzled of Wales.

[steve_holmes_11]

This one's a lot easier. 

Where does the description 'broom handle' come from on a "broom handled Mauser."

Is it just the hand grip ? Which I grant could be considered to be roughly the shape of the very end of a broom handle... or is it something to do with the wooden  'stoclk'.
That doesn't look anything like a broom handle....it looks more like a mutant sawn-off cricket bat.

Are ALL Mausers 'broom handle' types ?

Cheers slightly puzzled of Wales. :-

(It's the handle/grip).

Paragraph 2 line 2  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauser_C96

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

That it is, the grip is supposed to resemble a brush handle

[Techno II]

Thanks, Both.

Effectively, does that mean all Mauser pistols would be classed as 'broom handled', or are there any more variations ?

(My Man from U.N.C.L.E cap gun was a Mauser.....though I didn't know that, at the time ! )

Cheers - Phil.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

It's one specific weapon, the C96, remained in use until 1961? (so Wiki says !)

[Techno II]

Thanks, Ian.

Cheers - Phil.

[Heedless Horseman]

Thanks, Both.
Effectively, does that mean all Mauser pistols would be classed as 'broom handled', or are there any more variations ?
(My Man from U.N.C.L.E cap gun was a Mauser.....though I didn't know that, at the time ! )
Cheers - Phil.

Ha, Ha. Phil... I also had  a Daisy  U.N.C.L.E Mauser, (From memory... the heroes used cut down Walther P38s... but VERY LONG time since I saw the films!). When it broke, was replaced by 'Young Winston' version in strange bronze paint! Wasn't all that keen on the Mauser... also had a toy P38 and TWO Lugers... (one 'gold plated 'Man With The Golden Gun'? gift from older  cousins).  The 'ordinary' Luger was cap  'weapon of choice'... way better than 'Cowboy Guns'!
(There is 'something' about a Luger... it just 'fits' your hand... had a replica later on!).
.
Broom Handle Mausers... Google it... HUGE numbers and several variations... but all had the Broom Handle grip.
I cannot figure why it lasted so long. When 'new' it had power , mag capacity and 'accuracy', but 'big' awkward and bad to maintain. Other pistols much 'better'.. in some ways.
Use in Movies? Was it ''High Plains Drifter' Western? Ok for period. 'Young Winston' certainly had one. But  have also seen 60s 'spy' films and later TV series where 'bad guys' would tote one... rather silly... but props dept... 'Baddiie's' gun!
Star Wars base for 'blaster'... along with Stirlings and MG42s!