Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service used condition example of the Model 1895 Chilean Mauser Artillery Short Rifle, officially termed the Mosqueton Mauser Chileno Mo 1895. It was made by the renowned LUDWIG LOEWE ARMS COMPANY of BERLIN, and comes complete with the correct bayonet, made by the well-known Weyersberg Kirschbaum & Co.. 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, and comes complete with an original leather sling.

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. Most Chilean Contract M-1895 Rifles and Carbines found today are marked DWM, with examples by Ludwig Loewe being hard to find.

The left side of the receiver on this lovely example is marked with the production information:

To the left of this is serial number D 1718, which is also stamped on magazine housing. The other components of the short rifle are all non-matching, indicating it had parts swapped at arsenal long ago, common for rifles that were in service for decades. The Chilean Coat of Arms over the chamber is worn, but still fully discernable in the light, however the cartouche on the left side of the butt stock is too faint to read.

The metalwork was originally all blued, but years of service and cleaning worn this to a dark gray matte patina, with some areas of past peppering, now cleaned away. The bolt was originally bright steel, and still retains that finish well. There is however still much of the "niter blue" finish on the magazine follower, as it is a very durable finish and well protected inside the action. The rear sight is still present on the barrel, and is fully functional. The stock is in good condition, showing wear from long service, and as the serial number is worn away, we do not know whether it has been swapped out. It most likely has been arsenal reconditioned, which is why the original markings are faint or removed. Both side-mounted sling swivels are still present and move easily, and in this case there is an original issue sling still installed! It is in very good condition, and still serviceable. There is a cleaning rod installed on the rifle, but it is only for display, and is not the correct type.

The rifle cycles well, with a crisp dry fire, though we are not able to check to see if the magazine still feeds. The bolt release works correctly, allowing easy field stripping of the rifle, and the extractor, firing pin, and ejector are all present. The wing safety is present, however it does not move into place, as there is no slot we can see on the firing pin holder. We do not know whether it is a swapped part, or whether it no longer presents enough for the safety to engage. The bore on this rifle is actually in excellent condition, showing a fully bright finish with strong lands and grooves. There is just a bit of wear to the lands, so we see why this barrel and action were kept in service so long.

Another Military Contract from the Victorian era that Mauser managed to snag from all its European competitors. In very nice condition, complete a lovely leather sling and ready to display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1895
Caliber: 7×57mm Mauser
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 21.25 Inches
Overall Length: 41.2 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 Mo 1895. 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.

A Model 1895 short rifle was also produced, adopted as the Mosqueton Mauser Chileno Mo 1895, a slightly longer version of the carbine with an overall length of 41.2 in (1,046 mm), a 21.25 in (540 mm) barrel and a 1,400 m (1,531 yd) rear sight. The only other modifications are a bent bolt handle and sling swivels on the left side of the barrel band and stock

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. In this period, over 80,000 Model 1895 rifles and 30,000 Model 1895 carbines were shipped and deployed to the Chilean army.

The 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.

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.