Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service used example of the Mauser Model 1871/84 rifle, the first Magazine rifle widely used by the German Empire. This example definitely saw long service and more, showing major repairs as well as parts being swapped at arsenal. The rifle is covered with Imperial German inspection and acceptance markings. The serial number 6282 is present on the receiver and barrel, while the bolt is marked with serial number 1251, with 51 on the smaller bolt components. The other components are completely unmatching, typical for an arsenal refurbished rifle, like many returned to service during WWI.

The receiver is dated 1886. (partly worn away) on the right and marked I. G. Mod. 71/84. on the opposite side in "Black Letter" typeface. The top of the chamber is marked Crown over SPANDAU, 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 Crown over FW proof for Kaiser Wilhelm I, who used this cypher during his reign 1861-1888. Next to this is a 10,95 designation, giving the bore diameter in millimeters.

The rifle is mostly complete with most of the major parts intact and functional, except for the magazine and feed system, which is inoperable. The spring and follower are missing, and the ramp is stuck in the lower position, with the tab that the bolt uses broken off. The magazine cutoff switch is also missing. We would wager that this rifle was used as a single shot rifle, with each cartridge loaded into the chamber by hand. Truly a last ditch use.

The metalwork overall shows a well worn finish, with areas of light pitting, and a gray oxidized patina overall. There are no regimental markings on any of the fittings, as they were most likely worn away due to cleaning and oxidation. We checked the rifles functionality, and while the magazine is inoperable, the bolt can still be cocked and dry fired. It has an intact firing pin and extractor, and can correctly be removed from the rifle by loosening the screw on top. The bore is in good / very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with clear lands and grooves. There is however wear and some areas of oxidation.

The stock also shows long service, and at one point was cracked through completely around the receiver area, and then arsenal repaired. This can still be seen on both sides of the rifle, as well as on the underside. The stock has been reconditioned, so the the original markings are faint and/or removed, however it does have some lovely flame figuring on both sides of the butt stock.

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. The action works well, however the magazine feed system is a tad stiff. It works much more smoothly with the magazine cutoff engaged.

This is a chance to add a very nice well used Mauser rifle to your collection. Ready to hang on the wall and display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1886
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.

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