{"product_id":"original-museum-grade-imperial-german-mauser-model-1871-84-rifle-by-spandau-dated-1888-matching-serial-7302","title":"Original Museum Grade Imperial German Mauser Model 1871\/84 Rifle by Spandau Dated 1888 - Matching Serial 7302","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. \"Museum Grade\" is not a term that we use often at all, so we do not use it lightly. However there is no better description for the condition of this rifle. It definitely never saw service, and is one of the best examples of the Mauser Model 1871\/84 rifle that we have ever seen. Only one or two that we can recall exceeded the condition of this example. It is covered with Imperial German inspection and acceptance markings on the metal work, almost as crisp as the day it was made. Many of these have all been hi-lighted with white so they present better.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rifle shows some minor wear, but is entirely from storage and cleaning, not from service. We do not expect that this weapon was ever out in the field for more than a few days, if that. The serial number \u003cstrong\u003e7302\u003c\/strong\u003e or shortened number \u003cb\u003e02\u003c\/b\u003e appear on almost every component of the rifle, making this a very nice \u003cstrong\u003e\"ALL MATCHING\"\u003c\/strong\u003e example. If you were looking for a great example for your collection, this is it!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe receiver is dated \u003cstrong\u003e1888.\u003c\/strong\u003e on the right and marked \u003cstrong\u003eI. G. Mod. 71\/84.\u003c\/strong\u003e on the opposite side in \"Black Letter\" typeface. The rifle is complete with all major parts intact and functional, and virtually all of the original finish. The receiver is bright steel with just a bit of dried grease and very minor staining, while the barrel and other fittings are a lovely blued finish. It looks like an unissued gun that was kept in storage for decades, with maybe a wipe down occasionally to keep it clean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of the chamber is marked \u003cstrong\u003eCrown over SPANDAU\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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 \u003cstrong\u003eCrown over FW\u003c\/strong\u003e proof for Kaiser Wilhelm I, who used this cypher during his reign 1861-1888. Next to this is a\u003cstrong\u003e 10,95\u003c\/strong\u003e designation, giving the bore diameter in millimeters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is in excellent unissued condition, with a bright finish and crisp lands and grooves. It shows no signs of ever having been used, and probably qualifies as truly \"MINT\". We cannot see any primer ring or other discoloration on the bolt face, so it looks to have not been fired after the original proving at the factory. The action cycles great, with no issues, and the magazine cutoff is fully functional. The stock has some light dents and small gouges from storage, however we do not see any signs of use in service, and all of the cartouches are all still crisp and fully legible. It has a lovely honey color, most likely being made from beech wood\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a chance to add a fantastic early Mauser rifle to your collection. Ready to display!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1888\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: 11x60mmR Mauser\u003cbr\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 32 inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 51 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Bolt-Action\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: 8 Round Tubular Magazine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginally 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41747120914501,"sku":"ONSV24NSS077","price":2295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV24NSS077__01.jpg?v=1718389032","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-museum-grade-imperial-german-mauser-model-1871-84-rifle-by-spandau-dated-1888-matching-serial-7302","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}