{"product_id":"original-imperial-german-garde-regiment-marked-mauser-m1871-84-rifle-by-spandau-dated-1887-serial-6376","title":"Original Imperial German Garde Regiment Marked Mauser M1871\/84 Rifle by Spandau Dated 1887 - Serial 6376","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the Mauser Model 1871\/84 rifle the first Magazine rifle widely used by the German Empire. The rifle is covered with Imperial German inspection and acceptance markings. The serial number \u003cstrong\u003e6376\u003c\/strong\u003e or shortened number \u003cstrong\u003e76\u003c\/strong\u003e appears on almost all components of the rifle, except for a few screws and the bolt, which was swapped out at arsenal at some point. It is marked with serial number \u003cstrong\u003e12\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rifle was issued to front line service for a time, as indicated by the regimental marking stamped on the butt plate tang: \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eK. A. R. \/ E. 4. 169.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. Research indicates this would be for the \u003cem\u003eKaiser Alexander Garde Grenadier Regiment\u003c\/em\u003e, also known as the 1st (Emperor Alexander) Guards Grenadiers, first raised in 1814 and located in Berlin. The rest of the designation indicates it is for the \u003cem\u003eErsatz\u003c\/em\u003e (replacement) battalion, 4th Squadron, Weapon 169.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe receiver is dated \u003cstrong\u003e1887.\u003c\/strong\u003e on the right and marked \u003cstrong\u003eI. G. Mod. 71\/84.\u003c\/strong\u003e on the opposite side in \"Black Letter\" typeface. The rifle is complete with all major parts intact and functional, and much of the original finish. The receiver is bright steel, while the barrel and other fittings are a lovely worn blued finish. There are areas of light staining on much of the bright areas, as well as some peppering and past light pitting on the blued areas. Overall it has the look of a typical service used gun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is in good condition, with clear lands and grooves, and a mostly bright finish. There are some areas of fouling and oxidation, particularly near the muzzle end of the barrel. The stock has the expected wear and small dents from long service, but has been waxed and polished for a lovely glow. It still has clear inspection cartouches, so it does not look to have been arsenal refurbished at any time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of the chamber is marked \u003cstrong\u003eCrown over SPANDAU\u003c\/strong\u003e, for the Prussian (and later Imperial) Spandau arsenal in Berlin, a storied production plant that would produce weapons up until 1919, including the famous MG08 Maxim. Below this is the \u003cstrong\u003eCrown over FW\u003c\/strong\u003e proof for Kaiser Wilhelm I, who used this cypher during his reign 1861-1888\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis gun is most likely a WW1 Veteran's \"bring back\" souvenir. Great quantities of these 71\/84 Rifles were pressed into service in WW1 since great piles of them had been put into storage in 1888 with the introduction of the M-1888 7.92mm German Commission Rifle. The action works well, as does the magazine cutoff and feed mechanism, with just a bit of stiffness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a chance to add a really great Mauser rifle to your collection. Ready to display!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1887\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: 11x60mmR Mauser\u003cbr\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 32 inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 51 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Bolt-Action\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: 8 Round Tubular Magazine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginally adopted as the Gewehr 71 or Infanterie-Gewehr 71, or \"Infantry Rifle 71 (\"I.G.Mod.71\" was stamped on the rifles themselves) this 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39760923623493,"sku":"ONJR21VD334","price":1495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONJR21VD334__01.jpg?v=1643431741","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-imperial-german-garde-regiment-marked-mauser-m1871-84-rifle-by-spandau-dated-1887-serial-6376","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}