Original German Mauser Model K.1871 Carbine by Spandau Arsenal Dated 1879 – Matching Serial No. 8634 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a nice service used 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 carbines. The serial number 8634 appears on the barrel, receiver, bolt, butt plate, and nose cap, with many of the smaller components marked similarly or with shortened number 34. That makes this a very nice “ALL MATCHING” example, with no parts swapped out at arsenal over the years! It has a wonderful well-worn look that is impossible to duplicate!

The receiver is dated 1879, and the other side of the receiver is faintly marked K. Mod. 71 on the opposite side 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 plate bears a somewhat faded regimental marking on the rear, which reads 5. D. 4. 108., for the 5th (Rhenish) Dragoons “Baron Manteuffel” Regiment, 4th Squadron, weapon 108. Raised 7 May 1860 and garrisoned in Hofgeismar, this unit was part of the XI Army Corps (XI. Armee-Korps or XI AK) 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 good service used condition, showing overall wear, and oxidation on the metal components. This definitely has the look of a carbine that may have been pressed back into service during WWI, even though it was by that point quite obsolete. The wooden stock has a lovely aged look, showing denting and wear overall, and there are also cracks running partway through the wrist. Due to wear the original stock cartouche are just “ghosts” now. In spite of the external condition, the bore is in very good condition, with a mostly bright finish and clear lands and grooves. There was definitely some past light oxidation and fouling, now cleaned away. The action functions, however the safety is definitely not functional, and it will not stop the bolt from firing. It retains the front sling ring and rear swivel, which allowed the carbine to be used single handed when equipped with the right sling.

Overall this is an very nice service example of a service used German Mauser model 1871 Carbine with some great markings. The perfect addition to any German Mauser collection!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1879
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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