Original German Mauser Model 1871/84 Presentation Grade Rifle by Spandau Dated 1888 – Serial 9140 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is probably the most excellent condition example of the Mauser Model 1871/84 rifle that we have ever seen. Truly a Museum Quality Piece, worthy of any collection. It is covered with Imperial German inspection and acceptance markings, even on the wood stock. The serial number 9140 appears on the barrel, receiver, and bolt, while smaller components have 40 stamped. The receiver is dated 1888 and marked I. G. Mod. 71/84. on the opposite side.

The rifle is in Presentation condition with the original colors totally complete, and the wood stock polished to a presentation shine but retaining all it stamped markings intact. The metal fittings have also been polished to a high luster, and the receiver and bolt are bright steel, while the rest of the metal work is blued. The bore is in unfired and unissued condition, mirror bright. There are no traces of primer burn on the bolt face.

On the right hand Butt stock a SILVER, almost 2 Ounce Medallion being the head of KAISER WILHELM II on one side (facing inward) and on the outward side surrounded by Laurel leaves is the inscription:- DEM BESTEN SCHUTZEN, which translates to The Best Shot.

This Award Medallion is inlaid into a custom prepared recess in the Butt Stock and is secured by a glass beveled custom lens, held in place by three brass pins. No Regimental Markings as this was given, presumably by the KAISER himself, of WW1 fame or infamy who ruled Germany from 1888 to 1918.

The top of the chamber 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.

A wonderful example and A PRIZE RIFLE straight out of an old collection, Ready to DISPLAY.

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
Overall Length: 51 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 8 Round Tubular Magazine

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