Original German Mauser Model K.1871 Carbine by Spandau Arsenal Dated 1878 – Serial No 3617 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the Mauser Karabiner (Carbine) Model 1871, manufactured by Spandau Arsenal in Berlin. These shorter versions are 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 rifles. The serial number 3617 appears on all parts of the gun except for the nose cap which is marked 6139. Most likely the sight was damaged at some point, and needed replacement.

The right rear receiver is dated 1878 and the other side of the receiver is marked K. Mod. 71 in German “Black Letter” type. This stands for Karabiner (Carbine) Model 71. The top of the barrel nocks form is marked 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 the F.W. monogram.

The butt stock also bears a German Regimental marking of 2. K. 5. 132.. From what we can tell, this stands for the Prussian Cuirassier Regiment “Queen” (Pomeranian) No. 2 (German: Kürassier-Regiment “Königin” (Pommersches) Nr. 2). The designation would mean it was issued to the 5th company, 132nd man.

Our example is in a nice preserved condition retaining much original color on the barrel, though the bright finish on the receiver has oxidized somewhat. The bore is excellent, with a bright finish and clear lands and grooves, with just a bit of oxidation in the grooves. The stock has a lovely red brown color, with no structural issues we can see. It just has the usual dents and scratches from storage and use, but still has all of the original proofs, as it has not been sanded down. It also has quite a bit of tiger stripe figure, making this an extremely attractive example.

Overall this is a very good example of a service used German Mauser model 1871 Carbine. The perfect addition to any German Mauser collection!

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.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1878
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

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