Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original Imperial German Mauser Model K.71 carbine in 10.95mm, manufactured by Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft of Steyr and dated 1876. It is extensively matching with serial number 831 D on the barrel, receiver, bolt components, barrel band, nose cap, and several screws. The buttplate is clearly unit marked 7. D. 4. 45., identifying issue to the 7th (Westphalian) Dragoon Regiment, 4th Squadron, weapon number 45.

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 left side of the receiver is marked in German black letter:

K. Mod. 71

for Karabiner Modell 71. The right rear of the receiver is dated:

1876

with a smaller:

1877

adjacent to it.

The top of the barrel breech is marked:

ŒSTERR. WAFFFB. GES.

This is an abbreviation of Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft, or the Austrian Arms-Manufacturing Company. Part of ŒWG was Steyr-Mannlicher, known mainly as Steyr, who continue to make firearms to this day. Below this is the Crown / FW acceptance marking for Kaiser Wilhelm I, and the barrel bears numerous additional Imperial German inspection and proof marks.

The caliber is marked:

10.95

on the barrel breech, corresponding to the standard Model 1871 cartridge designation.

Serial number:

831 D

is present on the barrel, receiver, all observed bolt components, barrel band, nose cap, and several screws. No differently numbered serialized components were noted, making this an extensively matching example.

The buttplate is unit marked:

7. D. 4. 45.

for the 7th (Westphalian) Dragoon Regiment, 4th Squadron, weapon 45. Raised 1860 and garrisoned in Saarbrücken, this unit was part of the XXI. Armee-Korps in the Imperial German Army. As a cavalry regiment, this is exactly the type of unit that would use these carbines.

The metalwork has matured to an attractive gray patina. The barrel shows evidence of past cleaning and scattered light peppering, while the receiver and bolt, originally bright, have aged to a somewhat lighter gray tone. The markings remain largely crisp, and there is no obvious evidence of modern refinishing beyond older cleaning undertaken to remove oxidation.

The action cycles correctly and releases with a crisp dry fire. The wing safety remains functional, though stiff. The firing pin and extractor are both present. These observations describe only the present mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire.

The bore is in very good condition with strong lands and grooves and a mostly bright appearance. There is light overall wear together with some remnants of past fouling and oxidation in the grooves.

The stock shows extensive service wear with numerous dents, scratches, and handling marks. The inspection cartouches are faint, suggesting arsenal reconditioning or repeated cleaning and sanding over the years. A wood graft repair is present near the receiver tang. The butt stock also shows an aged cracked mud pattern in what appears to be an old oil or varnish finish.

The rear sling swivel remains present. At the front, where a large saddle ring would normally be expected on this pattern, the serial matched barrel band has instead been fitted with another sling swivel.

Overall condition is very good for an extensively service used Imperial German cavalry carbine. The matching serial number 831 D, Dragoon regiment marking, strong bore, original Steyr markings, and complete functioning action are all strong features. The stock wear, faint cartouches, graft repair, aged finish cracking, stiff safety, front sling swivel substitution, and scattered metal oxidation are all fully disclosed.

With its ŒWG Steyr manufacture, 1876 date, K. Mod. 71 marking, matching serial number 831 D, and clear 7th Westphalian Dragoon Regiment buttplate marking, this is a particularly well identified example of the Imperial German Model 1871 carbine. It would fit especially well in a Mauser Model 1871, Imperial German cavalry, Dragoon, Steyr production, or advanced 19th century military arms collection.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1876
Maker: ŒWG Steyr
Model: 1871 Mauser Carbine
Caliber: 11x60mmR Mauser
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 20 inches
Overall Length: 39 1/4 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: Single Shot
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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.

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 possess, 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, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. 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. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.