Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good example of the Imperial German Mauser Model 1871/84 rifle, the first magazine-fed repeating infantry rifle adopted for widespread service by the German Empire. The exterior displays extensive wear consistent with long service or handling, yet the bore remains truly exceptional. Its remarkably preserved condition suggests that the rifle saw relatively little firing, although its exact service history cannot be determined.

The rifle is covered with Imperial German inspection and acceptance markings on both the stock and metalwork. Serial number 6175, or the shortened number 75, appears on nearly every component, making this a desirable all-matching example.

The right side of the receiver is dated:

1888.

The opposite side is marked in the distinctive German Blackletter typeface:

I. G. Mod. 71/84.

The top of the chamber bears a Crown over SPANDAU, identifying manufacture at the Prussian Spandau Arsenal in Berlin. Spandau became one of Imperial Germany’s most important government arms-production facilities and later manufactured weapons including the MG 08 Maxim machine gun. Below the arsenal marking is the Crown over FW cypher of Wilhelm I, who reigned as King of Prussia from 1861 and as German Emperor from 1871 until his death in 1888. An 11 marking adjacent to the cypher indicates the measured bore diameter in millimeters.

We examined the rifle thoroughly but were unable to locate any regimental or unit markings. The absence of such markings may indicate that the rifle was never formally unit-marked, although it does not establish whether or how extensively the rifle was issued. Its 1888 production date coincided with the introduction of the Gewehr 1888 Commission rifle, which soon superseded the Model 1871/84 as Germany’s primary infantry arm.

The rifle remains complete, with all major components present and functional. Much of the original finish has worn from the metalwork, although the barrel retains a good amount of its original blued finish. The receiver and fittings display considerable staining, while the trigger guard and buttplate show scattered peppered oxidation. There is also an area of old pitting at the end of the bolt handle.

The stock shows no indication of having undergone an arsenal refurbishment, and its original inspection and acceptance markings remain crisp. The wood displays extensive service and handling wear, including numerous dents, dings, gouges, and deep compression marks. We did not observe any structural cracks, repairs, or damage inconsistent with long service and storage.

The action was checked and cycles smoothly. The hammerless bolt-action mechanism produces a strong dry-fire release, and the bolt retains both its firing pin and extractor. The safety operates as intended. The tubular magazine feeding system and magazine cutoff also appear functional, although they were not tested with cartridge cases or ammunition.

The bore is the exceptional feature of this rifle. It is mirror bright, with crisp lands and grooves and little visible evidence of firing or wear. Its condition is remarkable when compared with the extensive age and handling wear visible on the rifle’s exterior and would approach mint condition were the remainder of the rifle similarly preserved.

The rear sight remains fully functional and adjusts easily, although the sight leaf has a slight bend. Both sling swivels are present and move freely. The upper barrel-band screw is stripped, allowing the band to wobble.

Large numbers of Model 1871/84 rifles entered storage after the introduction of the Gewehr 1888 Commission rifle. Earlier German service rifles were later used in secondary, reserve, training, and other roles during WWI. This rifle may have remained in military storage or secondary service for an extended period, although its individual service history is unknown.

The rifle may have returned to the United States as a military souvenir, but no documented bring-back history accompanies it. Its extensive exterior wear, numerous Imperial inspection markings, all-matching serial-numbered components, and exceptionally preserved bore make it a particularly interesting example. The contrast between its heavily used exterior appearance and remarkably bright, sharp bore is unusual and gives this 1888-dated Spandau Model 1871/84 considerable collector interest.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1888
Manufacturer: Spandau Imperial Arsenal
Model: Mauser 1871/84
Caliber: 11x60mmR Mauser
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 inches
Overall Length: 51 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 8 Round Tubular Magazine
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

Originally adopted as the Gewehr 71 or Infanterie-Gewehr 71, or "Infantry Rifle 71 ("I.G.Mod.71" was stamped on the rifles themselves) this was the first rifle model in a distinguished line designed and manufactured by Paul Mauser and Wilhelm Mauser of the Mauser company, and later mass-produced at Spandau arsenal.

Paul Mauser developed his bolt-action rifle from 1866 to 1871. During 1870-71 trials with many different rifles took place, with the "M1869 Bavarian Werder" being the Mausers' chief competitor. The Mauser was provisionally adopted on 2 December 1871, pending the development of an appropriate safety. With support from the government's Spandau arsenal, the improvements to the safety mechanism were completed and the rifle was formally accepted on 14 February 1872 as Infantry Rifle Model 1871 by the German Empire excluding Bavaria. The action was not based on its predecessor, the Dreyse needle gun which had seen service during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, and which was found to have a number of weaknesses.

The now well known Mauser "wing" type safety lever was developed for the Gewehr 71. The Gewehr 71 is a conventional looking bolt action chambered in 11mm using black powder cartridges. The action included only a bolt guide rib as its single locking lug, locking forward of the receiving bridge. The original design was a single-shot. The design was updated in 1884 with an 8-round tubular magazine designed by Alfred von Kropatschek, making this Germany's first repeating rifle. This version was designated the Gewehr 1871/84. A version of this repeater was adopted by the Ottoman Empire. Designated the M1887, it differentiated from the M71/84 in that it had a side mounted cleaning rod, a second locking lug on the rear of the bolt, and it was in caliber 9.5×60mmR, which Paul Mauser touted as the most efficient (black powder) cartridge. In the early 20th century a few were converted to 7.65×53mm smokeless by the arsenal in Ankara.

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.