Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service used condition example of the Model 1895 Chilean Mauser Carbine in 7mm Mauser, with the correct short back sight. Officially termed the Carabina Mauser Chilena Modelo 1895, it was made by the renowned LUDWIG LOEWE ARMS COMPANY of BERLIN, and shows signs of long service, but does not have any major 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 is marked with the original production information:

To the left of this is serial number A 8213, while the "turned-down" carbine bolt handle is non-matching and only partially legible. Other components were probably swapped out as well, as this carbine definitely saw lots of service. The Chilean Coat of Arms over the chamber is still mostly clear, with just a bit of wear in the middle area around the star. The stock cartouche on the left side is too worn to read.

The metalwork was originally all blued, but years of service and cleaning worn this away nearly completely, and it now displays a bright matte steel patina overall. The rear sight is present, though the slider is quite loose on the ladder, so it no longer stays in place firmly. The stock is in good condition, showing wear from long service, and looks to have been reconditioned, possibly several times. The sling swivels on the left side of the stock are present, with the rear swivel having been slightly modified, and a large carbine ring installed inside it. The cleaning rod is unfortunately missing.

The rifle cycles well, with a crisp dry fire, though we are not able to check to see if the magazine still feeds. The firing pin is still present, as are the extractor and cartridge ejector. The wing safety is present, but is non-functional, as the slot where it lines up in the firing pin holder no longer lines up with the edge of it. The bore is in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with clear lands and grooves. There is some wear to the lands, and past oxidation and fouling in the grooves, later cleaned away. It has the look of a rifle that saw a good amount of use, but was well cared for.

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

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1895
Caliber: 7×57mm Mauser
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 18.3 Inches
Overall Length: 37.3 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.

A Model 1895 short rifle was also produced, adopted as the Mosqueton Mauser Chileno Mo 1895, a slightly longer version of the carbine with an overall length of 41.2 in (1,046 mm), a 21.25 in (540 mm) barrel and a 1,400 m (1,531 yd) rear sight. The only other modifications are a bent bolt handle and sling swivels on the left side of the barrel band and stock

A shortened carbine variant of the Model 1895, adopted as the Carabina Mauser Chilena Mo 1895, was primarily designed for cavalry and artillery. This model is similar in design to the Mauser Model 1895 except for the fact that it is smaller. It is only 37.3 in (947 mm) long with an 18.3 in (465 mm) barrel. It was also closely related to the short rifle except that the sling swivels are on the left side of the barrel band and on the stock behind the wrist. It also has the same modified form of the bent bolt handle as the short rifle.

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.