Original Imperial German Mauser Model K.1871 Carbine by ŒWG Steyr Dated 1876 with Dragoon Regiment Marking - Serial 5278 E

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely honest used example of the Mauser Karabiner (Carbine) Model 1871, manufactured by the famous ŒWG Steyr in Austria. These shorter versions are much harder to find, and were intended for use by cavalry and lancers. It is covered with Imperial German inspection and acceptance markings, standard for these carbines, and shows no signs of refinishing, so these are still crisp. The serial number 5278 E appears on the barrel, receiver, all parts of the bolt, barrel band, nose cap, and even on some of the screws! We cannot see any parts with different markings, so that makes this a great "ALL MATCHING" example, with no major parts swapped out over the years!

The right rear receiver is dated 1876, with another 1876 next to it in a slightly smaller font, and the other side of the receiver is marked K. Mod. 71 in German "Black Letter" type, which stands for Karabiner (Carbine) Model 71. The top of the barrel nocks form is marked ŒSTERR. WAFFFB. GES., 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 over FW proof for Kaiser Wilhelm I, who used the F.W. monogram. There are numerous proof marks stamped on the barrel nocks form, as well as the number 10.95, indicating the caliber of the rifle in millimeters.

The butt plate bears a clear regimental marking on the rear, which reads 2. G. D. 4. 64., for the 2nd Guards Dragoons "Empress Alexandra of Russia" Regiment, 4th Squadron, weapon 164. Raised 1860 and garrisoned in Berlin, this unit was part of the Guard Corps (Gardekorps or GK) in the Imperial German Army. As a cavalry regiment, this is exactly the type of unit that would use these carbines.

Our example is in a lovely matured condition, with the original barrel finish worn to a lovely gray patina from years of cleaning. There is a bit of past peppering, but nothing major. The receiver and bolt are still bright steel, though they do show some evidence of oxidation and dirt being cleaned away. The markings are still mostly crisp, and there are no signs of any type of restoration to the metalwork. The rifle cycles well with a crisp dry fire, and the "wing" safety is fully functional. We checked the bolt, and both the firing pin and extractor are present. The bore is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with strong lands and grooves. There is just a bit of wear overall, with no major fouling or oxidation.

The stock shows the usual dents and scratches from service, and we do not see any signs of refinishing. There is a lot of denting on the left side of the butt stock, consistent with banging against the harness of the horse while in cavalry service. There are no cracks or repairs we can see, just lots of scratches, dents, dings, and other marks from service. The carbine has a sling swivel in the rear, while it has a saddle ring attached to the barrel band, so this was definitely a cavalry issued carbine.

Overall this is a lovely honest used example of a German Mauser model 1871 Carbine with some nice Markings and a great bore. The perfect addition to any German Mauser collection!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1876
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

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.

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