Original German Model 1895 Chilean Contract Mauser Rifle by Ludwig Loewe Berlin – serial B 7315 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an very good service used condition example of the Model 1895 Chilean Mauser Rifle, made by the renowned LUDWIG LOEWE ARMS COMPANY of BERLIN. It shows signs of long service, but does not have any major wear or damage from abuse. This gives it a lovely worn patina that is simply impossible to duplicate.

The Ludwig Loewe company was actually part owner of Mauser Waffenfabrik from 1887 onward, which is why they were the primary contractor for the export Mauser rifles. In 1896 the company consolidated its arms manufacturing, and founded Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken, the famous D.W.M.. All rifles made 1897 onward were marked with the new company abbreviation. Therefore ANY LUDWIG LOEWE marked firearm is considered PRE-1899 ANTIQUES by U.S. FEDERAL LAW. Most Chilean Contract M-1895 Rifles and Carbines found today are marked DWM, with examples by Ludwig Loewe being hard to find.

The left side of the receiver on this example is marked with the production information:

MAUSER CHILENO MODELO 1895.
MANUFACTURA LOEWE BERLIN.

To the left of this is serial number B 7315, which is also stamped on the bolt handle. The magazine housing is marked B 7315 as well, but this was stamped over the original serial number, and the magazine floor plate and firing pin holder are non-matching. This definitely looks to be a rifle that saw arsenal reconditioning, where parts were often swapped out. The cleaning rod is unfortunately missing.

The chamber still has the Chilean coat of arms marked on it, however wear and reconditioning have removed all of the markings on the stock. The metalwork shows much of the original dark blued finish, though it also does show wear in the usual areas and some small spots of oxidation. The bright steel bolt shows a bit of staining and oxidation, and the “niter blue” on the magazine follower and bolt release is mostly worn away. The stock shows long use in service, with numerous dents, dings, gouges, etc. It does still have a lovely color, and looks to have been reconditioned at arsenal at least once.

The rifle cycles great, with no issues that we can see. The “wing” safety is fully functional, working exactly as intended with no mechanical issues to note. It prevents firing in the “up” position, and prevents both cycling and firing in the “right” position. The bolt release works correctly, allowing easy field stripping of the rifle. The bore is in very good condition, with a partly bright finish showing strong lands and grooves. There is definitely some wear and rounding to the lands, so this is definitely a rifle that saw use in service. The grooves also show past fouling and oxidation.

Another Military Contract from the Victorian era that Mauser managed to snag from all its European competitors. In very good service used condition and ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: pre-1897
Caliber: 7×57mm Mauser
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 29 Inches
Overall Length: 48 1/2 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 5 round internal magazine

More on the Mauser Model 1895:

The Mauser Model 1895 is a bolt operated magazine fed rifle using the 7×57mm Mauser cartridge. It was exported to many overseas powers, including the Chilean forces which adopted as the Fusil Mauser Chileno Mo 1895. It is the first major modification of the Mauser Model 1893 and was produced by Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken, known as DWM, and Ludwig Loewe Company from 1895 to 1900.

First supplied by the Ludwig Loewe & Co during 1895-1896 then later by the DWM (1897-1900), the Mauser model 1895 first made its appearance during a small arms race between Argentina and Chile in 1896 and 1898. In this period, over 80,000 Model 1895 rifles and 30,000 Model 1895 carbines were shipped and deployed to the Chilean army.

The Mauser Model 1895 also saw service in Mexico, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Iran, El Salvador and Honduras. Mauser Model 1895 rifles and carbines were the standard weapons of the various Mexican armies during the Mexican Revolution while the Paraguayan rifles saw combat during the Chaco War. Forces led by Pancho Villa during the Mexican Revolution and later guerilla campaign would have been armed with these rifles.