Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic early example of the Mauser Model 1871 Infantry Rifle, manufactured by Amberg Arsenal in what was then the kingdom of Bavaria in the German Empire. It is covered with Imperial German inspection and acceptance markings on the metalwork. It bears serial number 389 on the barrel, receiver, bolt, barrel bands, and rear sight, with shortened number 89 present on many other components. That makes this a very desirable "ALL MATCHING" example, with no parts swapped out over the years, and it's a great one!

The receiver is dated 1883 and marked I. G. M/71 on the opposite side in German "Black Letter" type. This stands for Infanterie Gewehr (Infantry Rifle) Model 71. The date has an 87 stamped next to it, which may indicate that it was returned to arsenal for servicing. The top of the barrel nocks form is marked (Crown) over Amberg, for the Bavarian (and later Imperial) arsenal in Amberg, in the Kingdom of Bavaria. There is however no Bavarian Royal Cypher below this, or any Royal Cypher for that matter, so they may not have been marked on examples this early.

The butt plate however does have a Bavarian marking, and bears the regimental designation B. L. R. 6. 91., which we believe is for the Royal Bavarian Infantry Lifeguards Regiment (Königlich Bayerisches Infanterie-Leib-Regiment). This was a "Household Bodyguard" regiment responsible to the Royal Family. The regiment was first raised 16 July 1814 and garrisoned in the Bavarian capital city of München (Munich). This unit was part of the ;I Royal Bavarian Corps, however as a household regiment, would have usually been kept close to the capital. This probably explains why the rifle seems to have seen so little firing use. This rifle does not appear to have been re-issued for reserve use later on.

The Rifle comes complete with the correct cleaning rod and is in very good condition overall. Interestingly, it has a brass trigger guard installed. The rifle still has both sling swivels intact, which move stiffly. The exterior metal finish shows years of cleaning and polishing, and now has a bright polished steel patina overall. There is just a bit of light staining in areas. The bore is in excellent condition, with crisp lands and grooves and a bright finish. There is just the smallest bit of oxidation and wear. We checked the bolt and there is only a very faint primer ring, so this example did not see much use at all.

The stock looks very nice, though it may have been arsenal reconditioned, which has made the original proof marks somewhat faint. It has a lovely color and great grain, with the usual dents and other marks from years of handling and service. There is even a bit of curling in the grain on the butt stock spine.

Overall this is a great example of a German Mauser model 1871 from Bavaria, marked to the Bavarian Royal Lifeguard Regiment. The rifle is complete, and would make the perfect addition to any German Mauser collection!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1877
Caliber: 11x60mmR Mauser
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 33.5 inches
Overall Length: 53 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: Single Shot

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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