{"product_id":"original-belgian-model-1889-mauser-7mm-long-rifle-by-fabrique-nationale-herstal-first-year-production-serial-no-b1519","title":"Original Belgian Model 1889 Mauser 7mm Long Rifle by Fabrique Nationale Herstal, First Year Production, Serial No. B1519","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original Belgian Model 1889 Mauser 7mm infantry rifle manufactured by Fabrique Nationale at Herstal-Liège and retained in its original full length configuration. It carries receiver serial number \u003cstrong\u003eB1519\u003c\/strong\u003e, with the same number present on the magazine floor plate and a partial matching number on the buttplate. The barrel was later remarked \u003cstrong\u003eB1519\u003c\/strong\u003e to match the receiver, while the bolt is nonmatching and numbered \u003cstrong\u003eO9509\u003c\/strong\u003e. The rifle also bears period or later ownership markings to \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWilliam Livingston\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e on the stock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mauser Model 1889 is a bolt-action rifle of Belgian origin. It became known as the 1889 Belgian Mauser, 1891 Argentine Mauser, and 1890 Turkish Mauser. Later developments that corrected deficiencies of the design would become the Mauser Model 1893 series of Rifles used in Spain as well as South America. These models then further evolved into the Gewehr Model 1898, whose action would be used for 50 years as the basis of many derivative designs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Model 1889 was initially developed to compete in Trials being held by the Belgian Government, which Mauser was eager to succeed in following the lack of Mauser involvement in the development of Germany's 1888 \"Commission Rifle\". The Mauser company had been dealing with the effects of founder Wilhelm Mauser's death in 1882. He had handled the business side of things at Mauser, while Paul Mauser was responsible for technical development. Belgium had already undergone two rounds of trials for a new rifle, however after the 8×50mmR Lebel cartridge using \u003cem\u003ePoudre B\u003c\/em\u003e smokeless powder was revealed in 1887 by France, all companies had to go back to the drawing board.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis gave Paul Mauser the time he needed to continue his work on a small rimless cartridge design inspired by the 88 Commission rifle, as well as developing a new stripper-clip loaded magazine. The resulting model 1889 was the winner of the Belgian trials, and with this design, the company was really \"Back in Business\", and would continue to do well for decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example was manufactured by Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre at Herstal-Liège, Belgium. FN was established in 1889 by a consortium of Belgian arms makers specifically to fulfill the Belgian government’s large Model 1889 rifle contract, making early examples such as this especially representative of the company’s beginnings as a military arms manufacturer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top front of the receiver is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFABRIQUE NATIONALE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHERSTAL-LIEGE.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left side of the receiver is serial numbered:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eB 1519\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResearch indicates that the initial production run in Belgium ran from 1889 until 1893, with approximately 150,000 arms made, serial numbered A 0000 up to N 9999 or a little farther. With an 1889 dated stock and a very early B-series serial number, this rifle is definitely considered a \u003cstrong\u003ePre-1899 Antique Firearm by the BATF\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe same serial number is also present on the magazine floor plate, while the buttplate carries a partial corresponding number. The barrel has been remarked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eB 1519\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eto match the receiver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bolt is nonmatching and is numbered on the rear of the cocking handle:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eO 9509\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stock also bears a worn serial marking, but it is no longer legible enough to confirm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stock is additionally marked on the right side adjacent to the receiver:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWM. LIVINGSTON\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand on the underside ahead of the magazine housing:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWILLIAM LIVINGSTON\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese markings document association with an individual of that name, though no additional provenance is presently supplied.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rifle remains in the original full length infantry configuration and has not been shortened into one of the later carbine or short rifle patterns frequently encountered on surviving Model 1889 actions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exterior metalwork has largely worn to a bright matte gray patina from past cleaning and removal of oxidation. Scattered peppering and traces of old corrosion remain visible, suggesting substantial exposure to moisture or the elements at some point in its service life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe walnut stock remains in very good overall condition with an attractive red brown color and visible curl figuring through portions of the butt. It appears to have been substantially worn or sanded during earlier cleaning or reconditioning, softening some of the original contours. At the butt, the wood now sits noticeably below the level of the buttplate. No major cracks or structural repairs are noted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rear sight remains present and functional, with the slider retaining its position correctly. Both sling swivels are present and move freely. A cleaning rod is fitted beneath the barrel, though it appears too short for this rifle and may not be original to it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bolt action cycles correctly and the trigger releases with a crisp dry fire. The extractor remains present on the bolt face. The bolt can be removed normally using the spring loaded receiver release. The safety is present at the rear of the bolt but does not currently engage. Feeding from the magazine has not been tested.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is in very good condition with strong lands and grooves and a mostly bright appearance. Some remnants of past fouling and oxidation remain in the grooves but appear to have been largely cleaned away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall condition is very good for an early Belgian service rifle. The principal condition points are the nonmatching bolt, remarked barrel serial number, worn or sanded stock, inactive safety, undersized cleaning rod, and evidence of past oxidation and cleaning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its early B-series serial number, Fabrique Nationale Herstal-Liège receiver marking, original full length configuration, matching observed receiver and magazine floor plate numbering, William Livingston stock markings, and strong bore, this is a significant example of the Belgian Model 1889 Mauser and an early product of FN Herstal. It would fit especially well in a Belgian military rifle, early Mauser, Fabrique Nationale, or pre-1899 European service arms collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYears of Manufacture: 1889-1893\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eMaker: Fabrique Nationale\u003cbr\u003eModel: 1889 Mauser Long Rifle\u003cbr\u003eSerial No.:B1519\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: 7×57mm Mauser\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 31 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 50 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction type: Bolt-Action\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: 5 round magazine\u003cbr\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45891083501637,"sku":"ONJR26AULC104","price":1495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR26AULC104.jpg?v=1790636786","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-belgian-model-1889-mauser-7mm-long-rifle-by-fabrique-nationale-herstal-first-year-production-serial-no-b1519","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}