Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely service used example of the Mauser Model 1871/84 rifle, the first Magazine rifle widely used by the German Empire. It looks to have a good amount of service, and was almost certainly an arsenal reconditioned rifle, assembled for rear echelon troops during WWI, who were often armed with Mauser 1871/84 and Gewehr 88 'Commission' rifles. It has a lovely patina of age that is simply impossible to duplicate.

The rifle's metalwork is covered with Imperial German and Bavarian inspection and acceptance markings, which are sill visible. It is marked with serial number 16651 on the barrel and receiver, while the bolt is non-matching. We checked the screws and other components, and the shortened numbers they have do not match at all, typical for an arsenal reconditioned rifle. The receiver is dated 1887. on the right side, and marked I. G. Mod. 71/84. on the opposite side in "Black Letter" typeface. The rifle is complete with all major parts intact and functional, and the metalwork overall shows a light matte gray finish from long service and repeated cleaning. This has worn the proofs a bit, but they are still easily legible.

The top of the chamber is marked (Crown) over Amberg, for the Bavarian (and later Imperial) arsenal in Amberg, in the Kingdom of Bavaria. Below this is the Crown over L proof for 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. Next to this is a 10,95 designation, giving the bore diameter in millimeters.

The rifle still cycles well, with a strong dry fire, though it does stick a bit in places, and is overall stiff. The magazine follower is functional, and the magazine cutoff works correctly. The wing safety moves relatively easily, and functions correctly as well. The bore is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves. There is just a bit of wear visible, so it did see a bit of service, but was well cared for and cleaned after the last use. The stock has definitely been arsenal reconditioned, which has unfortunately removed the original cartouches for the most part, with just traces visible where they used to be. It has a lovely color now, and there is also some lovely "flame" figuring on a good part of both sides. There is no major damage, just a bit of wood missing around the magazine cutoff.

This 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.

This is a chance to add a solid arsenal reconditioned example of an early Mauser rifle to your collection. Ready to display!

Specifications (Rifle):-

Year of Manufacture: 1887
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

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.