Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good 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 condition of the rifle is somewhat interesting, as it ranges from "unissued" in some areas to "light pitting" in a few others. The majority of the rifle is in great shape, and it looks like an unissued rifle that was stored in not the best location for a long period of time. The serial number 723 or shortened number 23 appear on almost every component of the rifle, making this a very nice "ALL MATCHING" example!

The receiver is dated 1887. 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 butt plate tang of the rifle gives the clear regimental designation 4. G. R. / E. 4. 66., which would indicate that it was issued to an Ersatz (replacement) unit of the Königin Augusta Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 4. Also known as the 4th (Queen Augusta) Guards Grenadiers, this unit was first raised 5 May 1860 and was garrisoned in Berlin. Guard regiments were usually staffed by the elite of German society, so it's not abnormal to find rifles that have seen very little service marked to these regiments.

The rifle is complete with all major parts intact and functional, and much of the original finish retained. The receiver and bolt are still clearly bright steel, though there are spots of peppering and oxidation spotting. The barrel still retains almost all of the original gloss blue finish, except for some spots of light oxidation along the woodline, and two small areas of light pitting on the left side near the muzzle. The nose band also has oxidation on the left side, as do the middle and lower barrel band. We would guess it was leaning against something that transferred moisture to the metal fittings, leading to oxidation.

The bore, on the other hand, is in unissued near mint condition, showing a mirror bright finish with crisp lands and grooves. There is just the smallest bit of oxidation right inside the muzzle, probably from the same moisture that attacked the exterior of the barrel. The stock looks to be beech wood, and has a lovely honey color, showing all of the original inspection cartouches clearly. There are some small dents and gouges, such as one on the right butt stock. There are also impressions on the left side of the stock consistent with lying on the ground on for a period of time.

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, with a functional magazine cutoff and crisp dry fire.

This is a chance to add a very nice Mauser rifle to your collection. Ready to display!

Specifications:-

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.