Original German Model 1895 Chilean Contract Mauser Rifle by Ludwig Loewe Berlin Converted to 7.62 NATO - Serial G 1675

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an very good service used condition example of the Model 1895 Chilean Mauser Rifle, made by the renowned LUDWIG LOEWE ARMS COMPANY of BERLIN. It shows signs of long service, but does not have any major wear or damage from abuse. This gives it a lovely worn patina that is simply impossible to duplicate. Unlike most examples we have had, this one was re-chambered to take 7.62 NATO ammunition, most likely during the 1960s-1970s. The rear receiver bridge has been stamped 7 . 6 2 / N, indicating the conversion.

There is some discussion of whether these were government conversions or not, but it is generally accepted that ones marked this way would have the chamber reamed out, and a new 7.62 NATO chamber insert installed, followed by boring out the barrel to the correct size for the new chambering. We looked inside the receiver and definitely can see a sleeving seam around the chamber. It is definitely NOT RECOMMENDED that this antique firearm be used, and it is being sold as a historical piece only. The receiver was not designed to withstand the higher pressure of 7.62 NATO, and the chamber sleeves have been seen to move.

The Ludwig Loewe company was actually part owner of Mauser Waffenfabrik from 1887 onward, which is why they were the primary contractor for the export Mauser rifles. In 1896 the company consolidated its arms manufacturing, and founded Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken, the famous D.W.M.. All rifles made 1897 onward were marked with the new company abbreviation. Therefore ANY LUDWIG LOEWE marked firearm is considered PRE-1899 ANTIQUES by U.S. FEDERAL LAW. Most Chilean Contract M-1895 Rifles and Carbines found today are marked DWM, with examples by Ludwig Loewe being hard to find.

The left side of the receiver on this example is marked with the production information:

MAUSER CHILENO MODELO 1895.
MANUFACTURA LOEWE BERLIN.

To the left of this is serial number G 1675, which which does not match any of the other serial numbers, which also do not match each other. This definitely looks to be a rifle that saw arsenal reconditioning, where parts were often swapped out, though it is not clear if this happened before or during the 7.62 re-chambering. The chamber still has the Chilean Coat of Arms marked on it, there is another Chilean coat of arms Cartouche over M.F. on the left side of the butt stock, a marking that may indicate that the stock was replaced at some point.

The metalwork was originally fully blued, however now show a worn gray patina overall from use and cleaning over long service. We do not see any evidence of major past oxidation or of being refinished. The bright steel bolt shows some staining and oxidation, particularly on the bolt handle, and the "niter blue" on the magazine follower is still well retained, while it is mostly worn away from the bolt release.

The rifle cycles great, with no issues that we can see. The "wing" safety is fully functional, working exactly as intended with no mechanical issues to note. It prevents firing in the "up" position, and prevents both cycling and firing in the "right" position. The bolt release works correctly, allowing easy field stripping of the rifle. The bore is in very good condition, with a bright finish showing strong lands and grooves. There is some wear to the lands, so this is definitely a rifle that saw use in service after the re-chambering, however it was well cared for, as there is no fouling or oxidation.

Another Military Contract from the Victorian era that Mauser managed to snag from all its European competitors. In very good service used condition and ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: pre-1897 - re-chambered later.
Caliber: 7.62×51mm NATO
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 29 Inches
Overall Length: 48 1/2 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 5 round internal magazine

More on the Mauser Model 1895:

The Mauser Model 1895 is a bolt operated magazine fed rifle using the 7×57mm Mauser cartridge. It was exported to many overseas powers, including the Chilean forces which adopted as the Fusil Mauser Chileno Mo 1895. It is the first major modification of the Mauser Model 1893 and was produced by Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken, known as DWM, and Ludwig Loewe Company from 1895 to 1900.

First supplied by the Ludwig Loewe & Co during 1895-1896 then later by the DWM (1897-1900), the Mauser model 1895 first made its appearance during a small arms race between Argentina and Chile in 1896 and 1898. In this period, over 80,000 Model 1895 rifles and 30,000 Model 1895 carbines were shipped and deployed to the Chilean army.

The Mauser Model 1895 also saw service in Mexico, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Iran, El Salvador and Honduras. Mauser Model 1895 rifles and carbines were the standard weapons of the various Mexican armies during the Mexican Revolution while the Paraguayan rifles saw combat during the Chaco War. Forces led by Pancho Villa during the Mexican Revolution and later guerilla campaign would have been armed with these rifles.