Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely "attic fresh" example of the Mauser Model 1871 Infantry Rifle, manufactured at Danzig Arsenal, located on the Baltic Sea in what is today Gdańsk, Poland. It is covered with Imperial German inspection and acceptance markings on the metalwork. It bears serial number 248_ on the barrel, receiver, firing pin cover, barrel bands, many of the screws, and the safety, while the bolt, firing pin housing, trigger guard, and several of the screws are non-matching. We have not seen a serial number with an "underscore" at the end, but it is marked on multiple components, so it must be correct.

The receiver is dated 1874 and marked I. G. Mod. 71 on the opposite side in German "Black Letter" type. This stands for Infanterie Gewehr (Infantry Rifle) Model 71. The top of the barrel nocks form is marked (Crown) over DANZIG, for the Imperial arsenal in Danzig on the Baltic Sea Coast, then part of Ostpreußen (East Prussia). Below this is the Crown over W proof for Kaiser Wilhelm I, who used this cypher during his reign 1861-1888. Next to this is a 11 designation, giving the bore diameter in millimeters. On the opposite side of the barrel nocks form is a staggering nine+ inspection marks, with several others scattered across the receiver and bolt. The buttplate appears to have a regimental marking, 32. R. E. 3. 108., which would refer to 32nd (2nd Thuringian) Infantry Regiment, in this case an "Ersatz" (replacement) unit.

The rifle is very good condition overall, looking to have been stored in a closet or attic for a fairly long period of time. There is some light oxidation and dried grease around the bolt, which we have left in place to preserve the patina. The cleaning rod has unfortunately been lost to the ages, but otherwise the rifle is complete. Unlike most we see, this example has had a steel trigger guard installed, as opposed to the more common brass. The stock looks very nice, and does not show any signs of having been reconditioned, as the proof marks are still relatively crisp, though it definitely has wear from use in service. There are some sizable scratches opposite the bolt in the stock, but otherwise it’s in good shape. It has a great "been there" look.

The rifle still has both sling swivels intact, which move freely. The exterior metal finish shows a lovely muddled & oxidized patina. The action cycles correctly, with a crisp dry fire, and the wing safety is fully functional. It is just a bit sticky from the dried grease in areas. The firing pin and extractor are both intact. The receiver and bolt still appear somewhat bright, with just a bit of staining. The bore is in very good condition, showing very strong lands and grooves with a bright finish. There is just a bit of light staining and past fouling in areas.

Overall this is a lovely honest used example of a German Mauser model 1871, the perfect addition to any German Mauser collection!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1874
Caliber: 11x60mmR Mauser
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 33.5 inches
Overall Length: 53 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: Single Shot

History of the Mauser 1871

Adopted as the Gewehr 71 or Infanterie-Gewehr 71, or "Infantry Rifle 71 ("I.G.Mod.71" was stamped on the rifles themselves) 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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