Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good service used example of the German Mauser Karabiner M1871, the cavalry carbine version of Germany's first Mauser military rifle, manufactured at the Spandau Arsenal in Berlin. Chambered for the 11mm black powder Patrone M/71 cartridge, this compact single shot bolt action carbine was intended primarily for mounted troops. Particularly desirable on this example is the surviving buttplate unit marking 6. K. 2. 94., identifying issue to the 6th Brandenburg Cuirassier Regiment, 2nd Squadron, weapon number 94.

This 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.

The Mauser Model 1871 was the first successful military rifle designed by brothers Paul and Wilhelm Mauser and became one of the foundational arms in the development of the Mauser bolt action system. Following adoption of the infantry rifle, the German military sought a shorter weapon suitable for mounted troops. Development of the cavalry carbine was ordered in 1873, and the finalized Karabiner M/71 pattern was adopted in 1875. Unlike the later Model 71/84, the M1871 carbine remained a single shot arm and was loaded directly through the open receiver.

The left rear of the receiver is marked in German Gothic lettering:

K. Mod. 71

for Karabiner Modell 1871. The top of the barrel knox form is marked:

Crown over SPANDAU

identifying manufacture at the Prussian government arsenal at Spandau. Beneath this is the:

Crown over FW

royal acceptance marking associated with Wilhelm I. The right side of the receiver retains the partial date:

187

with the final digit worn away. An additional 88 marking is present nearby, but we have not identified its significance with confidence and would not interpret it as an 1888 modification date without further evidence.

The barrel is additionally marked:

10,95

immediately ahead of the receiver. This is not a model or date marking but the measured bore diameter in millimeters. Model 1871 rifles and carbines were commonly marked with their actual bore measurement, typically in the neighborhood of 10.95 to 11.05mm.

Serial number:

2813

is present on the barrel, receiver, nose cap, and numerous larger screws securing the furniture to the stock. The bolt is mismatched and its components are marked:

4055

indicating replacement at some point during the carbine's military service. The buttplate itself is numbered:

2974

although its retaining screws match the receiver serial number. The mixture of matching and replacement numbered components is consistent with a military arm that underwent parts replacement during a long period of service.

The lower rear of the buttplate carries a particularly desirable Imperial German unit marking:

6. K. 2. 94.

This is consistent with Kürassier-Regiment „Kaiser Nikolaus von Rußland“ (Brandenburg) Nr. 6, 2nd Squadron, weapon number 94. In German cavalry unit markings, K denotes Kürassier, while the following numbers identify the squadron and individual weapon. Comparable Imperial cavalry markings use the same regiment, squadron, and weapon-number format.

The 6th Brandenburg Cuirassier Regiment traced its post-Napoleonic formation to 1807 and was later named in honor of Emperor Nicholas I of Russia. Its peacetime garrison was at Brandenburg an der Havel, and it formed part of the Prussian III Army Corps. The regiment retained its cuirassier identity into the First World War before ultimately being demobilized after the conflict.

The metalwork is in good service used condition and has largely faded to a light gray patina from age and repeated military cleaning. There is scattered evidence of old peppering and oxidation that has since been cleaned, but we do not see major active rust or extensive deep pitting. The carbine retains its forward sling ring and rear sling swivel, the proper type of arrangement for carrying a compact cavalry arm while mounted.

The rear sight remains complete and functional. The leaf raises correctly and the slider holds securely on the graduated frame. The M1871 cavalry carbine used a compact military sight suited to its shorter barrel, with the folding frame providing extended range settings.

The stock has an attractive aged military appearance with extensive dents, scratches, gouges, staining, and other evidence of long service. The original stock inspection and acceptance marks have been worn down to little more than ghosts. Several areas appear to have been heavily smoothed or sanded in the past, probably in an effort to remove deeper dents or surface damage. Despite this wear, we do not see major structural cracks, large graft repairs, or other serious damage.

The bolt action cycles correctly during careful manual inspection and gives a crisp dry fire. The rear wing safety remains present and functional when the action is cocked. As the Karabiner M1871 is a single shot firearm, there is no magazine or feeding system to test.

The bore is in very good service used condition, retaining a mostly bright interior with clearly visible lands and grooves. There is evidence of light old oxidation and fouling that has since been cleaned, but the rifling remains strong and there are no major visible internal condition issues.

With its Spandau Arsenal manufacture, classic K. Mod. 71 marking, numerous matching numbered components, clearly documented 6th Brandenburg Cuirassier Regiment buttplate marking, surviving cavalry sling fittings, complete sighting equipment, and very good bore, this is an especially appealing example of the German Karabiner M1871. The identifiable regimental issue mark gives it substantially more historical character than an unmarked example and makes it an excellent addition to a collection of Imperial German arms, Mauser rifles, cavalry carbines, Prussian military firearms, or early European bolt action weapons.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1875
Maker: Spandau Arsenal
Model: 1871 Mauser Carbine
Caliber: 11x60mmR Mauser
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 20 inches
Overall Length: 39 1/4 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: Single Shot
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

History of the Mauser 1871

Adopted as the Gewehr 71 or Infanterie-Gewehr 71, or "Infantry Rifle 71 ("I.G.Mod.71" was stamped on the rifles themselves) 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.

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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.