Original German Mauser Model 1871 Rifle by Gebrüder Mauser dated 1876 – Matching Serial 56D Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a wonderful example of the Mauser Model 1871 rifle, manufactured at Oberndorf am Neckar by rare maker Gebrüder Mauser. This could be a rifle that Paul Mauser himself worked on. It is covered with Imperial German inspection and acceptance markings, even on the wood stock. The serial number 56D appears on almost all parts of the gun, even the barrel bands, nose cap, and many of the screws. Only the bolt retaining screw does not match, as it was most likely lost or broken. The receiver is dated 1876 and marked I. G. Mod. 71 on the opposite side

The top of the barrel knoxform is marked GEBR. MAUSER & Co OBENDORF, indicating manufacture by Gebrüder Mauser & Cie, Oberndorf-am-Neckar, in the German Kingdom of Württemberg. This is the firm, run by Wilhelm and Paul Mauser, was the one responsible for the design of the Model 1871, and many other legendary firearms. There is also a Crown over W on the left side of the knoxform.

The Rifle also bears its original REGIMENTAL MARKINGS on the butt plate tang: 119.L.II.2.104. for 119th Landwehr Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Company 2, Weapon 104. The weapon was apparently later sold ti Siam/Thailand, as indicated by two proofs on the bottom of the buttstock. It was not however used much there, if at all.

The Rifle comes complete with cleaning rod and is in good condition overall. The exterior metal finish is somewhat worn, with the grayish color of aged bluing. There is a bit of light peppering, but nothing major. The bore is in very good condition, mostly bright with sharp land and grooves, and just a bit of oxidation in some of the grooves. Both sling swivels are present.

Stock is also in good condition, and has a great aged look. It has the expected dents and dings from long service, but no major cracks or other issues. It does not appear to have been refinished or sanded down at all, so the stock proofs are all readily visible.

Overall this is a very nice rifle, in great shape. 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: 1876
Caliber: 11x60mmR Mauser
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 33.5 inches
Overall Length: 53 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: Single Shot

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