Original Imperial German Mauser Model 1871/84 Rifle by Spandau Arsenal Dated 1886 - Serial 2022

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good example of the Mauser Model 1871/84 rifle, the first Magazine rifle widely used by the German Empire. The rifle is covered with Imperial German inspection and acceptance markings on both the stock and metalwork. It is marked with serial number 2022 on the receiver, barrel, and bolt, however all of the other components are non matching, marked with shortened number 30. Most likely the stock on the rifle was damaged at some point, and another rifle with a damaged barrel was used for spare parts at arsenal, which was very common for weapons that were reissued for use during WWI.

The receiver is dated 1886. on the right and marked I. G. Mod. 71/84. on the opposite side in "Black Letter" typeface. The top of the chamber is marked with a Crown over SPANDAU, 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 Crown over FW proof for Kaiser Wilhelm I, who used this cypher during his reign 1861-1888. Next to this is a 10,95 designation, giving the bore diameter in millimeters.

The butt plate tang of the rifle gives the clear regimental designation G. R. S. / 3. 69., which is not a regimental designation that we recognize. It looks like it could be some type of Garde unit, or possibly a Grenadier unit. The stylized "R" indicates that it was a reserve unit.

The rifle is complete with all major parts intact and functional, showing a worn finish on the metalwork of the receiver and barrel, while the finish on the fittings of the stock still retain a lot of their original deep blue finish. The stock does look to possibly have been refinished at some point, as the markings are just a bit faint, and there looks to be a light varnish on top of the wood, which has a beautiful color. We checked the action, and it cycles well, with a strong dry fire, and the bolt still has an intact firing pin and extractor. The safety works as it should, and the magazine feed system and cutoff are also functional, though we have no way of testing it on real brass.

The bore is in very good condition, showing a bright finish with clear lands and grooves. There is just a bit of past oxidation in a few places, and no signs of extensive use. The rear sight is fully functional, moving easily, and both sling swivels are present and move well. There is an addition sling swivel that was added to the bottom of the butt stock, an interesting modification.

This 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.

This is a chance to add a lovely regiment marked early Mauser rifle to your collection. Ready to display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1886
Caliber: 11x60mmR Mauser
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 inches
Overall Length: 51 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 8 Round Tubular Magazine

Originally 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.

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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