Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely service used example of a very rare carbine to find on the market, a Boer Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR or South African Republic) contract Mauser, the Model 1896. These rifles were based on the Model 1893, and very to the Model 1895 Chilean Mauser Carbine in 7mm Mauser. It had the same updates to the rear of the follower so that the bolt could be closed on an empty magazine, though it still retained the "square" bolt face of the Model 1893. As with most other contract Mausers of the time, it was made by the renowned LUDWIG LOEWE ARMS COMPANY of BERLIN, and shows signs of long service, but does not have any major damage from abuse. This gives it a lovely worn patina that is simply impossible to duplicate.

The Ludwig Loewe company was actually part owner of Mauser Waffenfabrik 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 Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken, the famous D.W.M.. All rifles made 1897 onward were marked with the new company abbreviation. Therefore ANY LUDWIG LOEWE marked firearm is considered Pre-1899 ANTIQUES by U.S. FEDERAL LAW.

The history of the Boer Mausers is definitely interesting, and they were supplied to both the Orange Free State (Oranje Vrij Staat) and the South African Republic (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek), more commonly known as the “Transvaal”. This was prompted by the failed Jameson Raid in December 1895, which was repelled but made it clear that the shortage of modern magazine fed rifles was a definitely liability going forward. Information varies, but it looks like at least 30,000 rifles and 7,000 carbines were delivered, with more coming later that were interfered with by British blockades. Those delivered to the Orange Free State were marked O.V.S. on the receiver over the serial number, while those going to the Z.A.R. were unmarked, such as this example.

The left side of the receiver is marked with the original production information:

To the left of this is serial number 757, which is also marked on the front of the magazine housing / trigger guard, while the floor plate is marked with shortened number 57. The bolt handle is marked with 602, so it is non-matching, swapped out during long service during the Boer Wars. We also noted some "crowned" proof marks, which we assume are Dutch in origin. Compared to other contract Mausers of the time, the Model 1896 was minimally marked, with nothing on the chamber ring. We have examined other known examples, and this is completely correct.

The metalwork was originally all blued, and this is still relatively well retained, but shows some peppering and patinated oxidation from age and long use. The rear sight is present and fully functional, locking in place correctly. We checked the magazine follower, and it still retains much of the original iridescent "Niter Blued" finish that we all love. The stock is in good condition, showing wear from long service, with lots of dents, dings, gouges, and other wear from use There is however not any major damage such as cracks, repairs, and so forth, just heavy wear from use. As is common on the Boer Mausers, it has personalized with D C on the left side of the butt stock.

The rifle cycles well, with a crisp dry fire, though we are not able to check to see if the magazine still feeds. The firing pin is still present, as are the extractor and cartridge ejector. 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, showing a mostly bright finish with clear lands and grooves. There is some wear to the lands, and past oxidation and fouling in the grooves, later cleaned away. It has the look of a rifle that saw a good amount of use, but was well cared for.

Another Military Contract from the Victorian era that Mauser managed to snag from all its European competitors. In lovely well-used condition and ready to display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1896
Caliber: 7×57mm Mauser
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 18.3 Inches
Overall Length: 37.3 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 5 round internal magazine

More on the Mauser Model 1895:

The 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 Fusil Mauser Chileno Modelo 1895. It is the first major modification of the Mauser Model 1893 and was produced by Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken, known as DWM, and its predecessor, the Ludwig Loewe Company from 1895 to 1900.

First supplied by the Ludwig Loewe & 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.[3] In this period, over 80,000 Model 1895 rifles and 30,000 Model 1895 carbines were shipped and deployed to the Chilean army.

The Model 1895 was also deployed to republic of the Orange Free State (Oranje Vrij Staat) and the South African Republic (The Z.A.R. but more commonly known as the “Transvaal”) by Ludwig Loewe and Co. (and later DMW) shortly after the Jameson Raid in December 1895 to deal with the shortage of modern magazine fed rifles for the state army. Roughly 70,000 Mauser rifles were ordered but only 55,000 were delivered. Some of the undelivered rifles were diverted to Chile, and as a result many of the rifles in that country bore the inscription “O.V.S” (Oranje Vrij Staat), Orange Free State.

The Model 1895 brought to the “Transvaal” was also known as "Boer Model" Mauser and those delivered to the Orange Free State (Oranje Vrij Staat) were marked “O.V.S.” just above the serial number accompanied. Rifles delivered to the Transvaal bore no state markings. All were marked “Mod. Mauser” followed by the date of manufacture. Because of this, a misunderstanding occurred regarding the identification between the Model 1896 and Model 1897. At the time, an Afrikaans farmer (also known as a Boer) could purchase a Mauser Model 1895 at a price of £3.

Another variant known in Afrikaans as Plezier Mauser was sold slightly above cost by the respective governments and private dealers for sport and private use. These rifles varied in stock style, barrel, sight lines and ornamentation. Some of the last rifles delivered by DWM were equipped with turned down bolt handles which made them suitable for the South African farmers on horseback. Work on the manufacturing of the Mauser Model 1895 was halted in 1899 by the Second Boer War.

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 most US States and most U.S. territories.

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 most addresses within the United States.