Original German-made Spanish Contract Mauser Model 1891 Carbine by Ludwig Loewe dated 1894 - Serial 0654

Original Item: Only one Available. This is a very interesting example of a hard to find early Spanish Contract Mauser Carbine. Most are familiar with the Model 1892 Spanish Mauser Carbine, the last of the Single Feed magazine designs, and the later Model 1895 Mauser Carbine, but the Model 1891 occupies an interesting place in history. It is heavily based and in many ways almost interchangeable with the Argentine Contract Model 1891 Mauser Rifles and Carbines, and was somewhat of an "Emergency" order made in November of 1894. It was for 5000 carbines and intended to arm the colonial forces in Cuba, which were already using the 7.65 Mauser ammunition.

There is definitely still fairly active discussion on these carbines, and the history is not entirely known, but for the most part this looks exactly like what they are said to be: Argentine Contract Mauser Model 1891 carbines, but with Spanish markings. Examples are also often seen with Turkish markings on them, indicating that some parts may have been transferred between factories to meet the demand. This example actually has an RA Republic of Argentina marked handguard, but we believe this is a much more recent replacement, and it also is held on by "force of habit", as the clips are missing.

As with the other examples we have seen, the carbine was manufactured by Ludwig Loewe of Berlin, and is marked as such on the side of the receiver:

MANUFACTURA LOEWE BERLIN.

There is no model designation, as is correct for the contract. Ludwig Loewe (1837 – 1886) was an industrialist and philanthropist in Germany, and owned various companies, including arms producer Ludwig Loewe & Company. The company itself also held controlling interest in several other arms companies, including Waffenfabrik Mauser. After Ludwig passed away in 1886, his brother Isidor ran the company.

In 1896, Ludwig Loewe & Cie obtained a majority interest in the Karlsruhe-based Deutsche Metallpatronenfabrik. In the same year, it was decided to merge the ammunition production of Deutsche Metallpatronenfabrik with Loewe's firearms branch in Berlin, creating a new company of which Loewe remained the owner: Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken (DWM). Any Loewe marked Mauser rifles are definitively Pre-1899 manufacture and considered antique by Federal law.

As this rifle is marked Loewe, it was produced prior to this change, and it is indeed marked BERLIN 1894 on top of the chamber, directly under a Spanish Royal coat of arms. The left side of the butt stock shows a SPANISH CROWN / BERLIN / 1894 cartouche. It is also marked with serial number 0654 on the right side of the receiver and the chamber end of the barrel. The stock, magazine, and bolt handle however are marked with serial 1378, so this carbine definitely looks to have parts swapped at arsenal. There are also 6 pointed stars with oval arms on some components, as we have seen with other known examples.

The carbine is in very nice condition, with the original finish on the metalwork worn to a lovely mottled patina from years of service and cleaning. The rifle cycles nicely, with a crisp dry fire, and does not appear to have any mechanical issues. The wing safety functions correctly, and the bolt retains the firing pin and extractor. The bore is in fair to good condition, showing clear rifling but also noticeable ring inside, most likely from a stuck cartridge in the past.

The stock is lovely, with a lot of "flame" figuring, and does not show any major damage or other issues. It shows the usual dents, dings, and other wear from service.

A very nice example of a rare Spanish Contract Model 1891 Mauser Carbine. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1894
Caliber: Caliber: 7.65×53mm Mauser
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 36.75 Inches
Barrel Length: 17.25 inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 5 round box magazine