{"product_id":"original-antique-german-model-1895-chilean-contract-mauser-rifle-by-d-w-m-berlin-converted-to-7-62-nato-serial-k-5878","title":"Original Antique German Model 1895 Chilean Contract Mauser Rifle by D.W.M. Berlin Converted to 7.62 NATO - Serial K 5878","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an very good service used condition example of the Model 1895 Chilean Mauser Rifle, made by the renowned D.W.M. of BERLIN, which would produce numerous designs and arms for Germany during WWI. It shows signs of long service, but does not have any major wear or damage from abuse. This gives it a lovely worn patina that is simply impossible to duplicate. Unlike most examples we have had, this one was re-chambered to take 7.62 NATO ammunition, most likely during the 1960s-1970s. The rear receiver bridge has been stamped \u003cstrong\u003e7 . 6 2 \/ N\u003c\/strong\u003e, indicating the conversion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is some discussion of whether these were government conversions or not, but it is generally accepted that ones marked this way would have the chamber reamed out, and a new 7.62 NATO chamber insert installed, followed by boring out the barrel to the correct size for the new chambering. We looked inside the receiver and definitely can see a sleeving seam around the chamber. It is definitely \u003cstrong\u003eNOT RECOMMENDED that this antique firearm be used\u003c\/strong\u003e, and it is being sold as a historical piece only. The receiver was not designed to withstand the higher pressure of 7.62 NATO, and the chamber sleeves have been seen to move.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eD.W.M. was formed by the Ludwig Loewe company, which was actually part owner of \u003cem\u003eMauser Waffenfabrik\u003c\/em\u003e from 1887 onward, which is why they were the primary contractor for the export Mauser rifles. In 1896 the company consolidated its arms manufacturing, and founded \u003cem\u003eDeutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken \u003c\/em\u003e(German weapons and ammunition factories). All rifles made 1897 onward were marked with the new company name and\/or abbreviation. For the Chilean contract, as with the Argentine contract, the rifles were serialized with a letter prefix followed by a 4 digit serial number. Serial prefixes A – H were made by Loewe, while K – M were made by DWM. K serial prefix rifles were made during 1898, and therefore all K prefix rifles are \u003cstrong\u003econsidered PRE-1899 ANTIQUES by U.S. FEDERAL LAW\u003c\/strong\u003e. Most DWM export Mausers were made after this, so this is a rare chance to get a DWM-marked antique Mauser.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left side of the receiver on this example is marked with the production information:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMAUSER CHILENO MODELO 1895.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDEUTSCHE WAFFEN-UND MUNITIONSFABRIKEN.\u003cbr\u003eBERLIN.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo the left of this is serial number \u003cstrong\u003eK 5878\u003c\/strong\u003e, while all the other serial numbers on the components of the rifle are not matching. This definitely looks to be a rifle that saw arsenal reconditioning, where parts were often swapped out, though it is not clear if this happened before or during the 7.62 re-chambering. The chamber still has the \u003cstrong\u003eChilean Coat of Arms\u003c\/strong\u003e marked on it, which is also faintly marked on the left side of the butt stock over a VERY faint \u003cstrong\u003e1895\u003c\/strong\u003e date, which for a DWM Mauser should be \"1898\" but the stock is replaced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe metalwork show a worn oxidized patina, with some evidence that the finish may have been touched up in the past, as the finish is uneven in areas on the barrel. The bolt, which should be bright steel, looks to have been blued at some point, which has now worn away. The bolt release has been refinished as well, and is now a dark blue, while the magazine follower still shows a good amount of the original \"niter blue\" finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rifle cycles great, with no issues that we can see. The \"wing\" safety is fully functional, working exactly as intended with no mechanical issues to note. It prevents firing in the \"up\" position, and prevents both cycling and firing in the \"right\" position. The bolt release works correctly, allowing easy field stripping of the rifle. The bore is in very good condition, with a partly bright finish showing strong lands and grooves. There is definitely some wear and rounding to the lands, so this is definitely a rifle that saw use in service after the re-chambering. The grooves also show past fouling and oxidation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stock has a lovely nice honey color, and definitely was refinished at some point. We can see evidence of wear from service including dents, dings, scratches, and other damage, now less apparent due to the wood having been sanded a bit when it was refinished. this gives it a lovely \"been there\" look that is impossible to duplicate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother Military Contract from the Victorian era that Mauser managed to snag from all its European competitors. In very good service used condition and ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1898 - re-chambered later.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: 7.62×51mm NATO\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 29 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 48 1\/2 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction type: Bolt-Action\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: 5 round internal magazine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore on the Mauser Model 1895:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mauser Model 1895 is a bolt operated magazine fed rifle using the 7×57mm Mauser cartridge. It was exported to many overseas powers, including the Chilean forces which adopted as the \u003cstrong\u003eFusil Mauser Chileno Mo 1895\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is the first major modification of the Mauser Model 1893 and was produced by Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken, known as DWM, and Ludwig Loewe Company from 1895 to 1900.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst supplied by the Ludwig Loewe \u0026amp; Co during 1895-1896 then later by the DWM (1897-1900), the Mauser model 1895 first made its appearance during a small arms race between Argentina and Chile in 1896 and 1898. In this period, over 80,000 Model 1895 rifles and 30,000 Model 1895 carbines were shipped and deployed to the Chilean army.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mauser Model 1895 also saw service in Mexico, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Iran, El Salvador and Honduras. Mauser Model 1895 rifles and carbines were the standard weapons of the various Mexican armies during the Mexican Revolution while the Paraguayan rifles saw combat during the Chaco War. Forces led by Pancho Villa during the Mexican Revolution and later guerilla campaign would have been armed with these rifles.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43594409934917,"sku":"ONSV25WSO070","price":895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV25WSO070__02.jpg?v=1758135839","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-antique-german-model-1895-chilean-contract-mauser-rifle-by-d-w-m-berlin-converted-to-7-62-nato-serial-k-5878","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}