Original German Mauser Model 1871/84 Magazine Service Rifle by Erfurt Arsenal – Dated 1888 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a wonderful example of the Mauser Model 1871/84 rifle. It is covered with Imperial German inspection and acceptance markings on the metal work, as well as on the wooden stock. The serial number 9797 appears on the barrel, stock, and receiver, while other components such as the trigger guard and butt plate bear the shortened serial 97. Other parts, such as the bolt, have different serial numbers, indicating a long service life.

The receiver is dated 1888 and marked I. G. Mod. 71/84. on the opposite side. It also has regimental markings on the butt plate tang: 8. R. J. / 1. 106.. This is most likely not the first set of regimental markings on this rifle, as the barrel knoxform is marked 11,05, which was probably an arsenal refurbishment for reserve use. The Script R in the regimental designation indicates reserve use, so this rifle was last issued to the 8th Reserve Infantry, 1st battalion, weapon 106.

The rifle is complete with all major parts intact and functional. The exterior metal finish on the fittings does show some wear, but still has a lot of the original bluing, and is most attractive. The wood stock is in very good condition, and has not been sanded down at all, so all proofs are clear and crisp. The beech wood has a lovely amber color, with a good amount of flame/figuring on the buttstock and around the wrist. The stock does have the expected dents and dings from long service, but is overall quite nice.

The bore is in excellent condition, with crisp lands and grooves, and a bright finish. The top of the barrel knoxform is marked (CROWN) over ERFURT, indicating manufacture at the Royal Erfurt Arsenal, located in Thuringia. 

This gun is most likely a WW1 Veteran’s “bring back” souvenir, as this rifle is in very good condition. 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.

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.

Offered in very nice fully functional condition.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1888
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

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