Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original Imperial German Mauser Model 1871/84 11mm magazine rifle manufactured at Amberg and dated 1888. It is a very well preserved service used example with extensive Bavarian inspection and acceptance markings, matching serial number 76142 on the observed serialized components, strong surviving metal finish, and an exceptionally bright bore with crisp rifling.

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 Model 1871/84 was the first magazine fed rifle adopted on a large scale by the German Empire. Developed from the earlier single shot Model 1871, it incorporated a tubular magazine beneath the barrel while retaining the large bore black powder cartridge and familiar Mauser bolt action system.

This example is extensively marked with Imperial German and Bavarian proofs and acceptance stamps. The full serial number:

76142

or the shortened number:

42

appears on the observed serialized components throughout the rifle, including the magazine end cap and stacking swivel assembly, making this a matching example.

The right side of the receiver is dated:

1888.

while the opposite side is marked in blackletter:

I. G. Mod. 71/84.

The top of the chamber is marked:

(Crown)
Amberg

identifying manufacture at the Amberg arsenal in Bavaria. Beneath this is the Bavarian:

(Crown)
L

acceptance marking associated with Luitpold, Prince Regent of Bavaria, who reigned from 1886–1912. His nephew Otto was technically the King, however he was deemed unfit for rule, so his uncle and later cousin ruled in his stead.

The chamber area is additionally marked:

10,95

indicating the measured bore diameter in millimeters.

The butt plate tang carries the unit marking:

B. 3. R. R.
439.

This is a Bavarian regimental property marking. It appears to identify the 3rd Royal Bavarian Infantry "Prince Charles of Bavaria" Regiment, Reserve Company, 439th weapon. This regiment was first raised 1 February 1698 and garrisoned in Augsburg. They were part of the I Royal Bavarian Army Corps, which saw much service during WWI.

The metalwork remains in very good condition. The barrel retains most of its original blued finish, while components originally left bright have developed a lightly stained gray patina. There are localized areas of old pitting on the right side of the barrel near the breech, as well as on the right side of the rear sight and middle barrel band. The numerous inspection and acceptance markings remain largely legible.

The action cycles properly during manual inspection and the trigger releases strongly. The magazine cutoff operates correctly, and the wing safety moves and functions as intended. Some dried grease remains within the action and can make movement slightly stiff at times.

The bore is in excellent condition with a mirror bright appearance and crisp lands and grooves. It shows very little visible erosion or fouling, and the bolt face shows minimal evidence of primer related wear. These observations suggest relatively limited firing compared with many surviving service rifles, though the rifle’s exact use history cannot be established from condition alone.

The stock is in very good service used condition with an attractive aged red brown color. It shows the expected dents, dings, scratches, and handling marks from military use and storage, including areas of pressure and contact wear. There are no major cracks or structural repairs noted.

The rifle remains complete with its principal service components intact. Its exterior wear suggests military handling and storage, while the unusually strong bore and well retained finish indicate that it was not subjected to especially heavy firing or neglect.

With its 1888 Amberg manufacture, Bavarian Crown / L acceptance, matching serial number 76142, blackletter I. G. Mod. 71/84. receiver marking, regimental butt plate stamp, substantial surviving finish, and exceptional bore, this is a strong example of the Imperial German Mauser Model 1871/84. The localized pitting, dried grease, stock handling wear, and uncertain exact expansion of the unit marking are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in an Imperial German arms, Bavarian military rifle, Mauser development, Model 1871/84, or advanced 19th century European military firearms collection.

Specifications (Rifle):-

Year of Manufacture: 1888
Maker: Amberg Arsenal
Model: Mauser 1871/84 Magazine Rifle
Serial No.: 76142
Caliber: 11x60mmR Mauser
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 inches
Overall Length: 51 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 8 Round Tubular Magazine
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

Originally 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.

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.

NOTE: 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.

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 posses, 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. They are sold as collector’s items or as wall hangers. 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.