Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the Mauser Model 1871/84 rifle, the first Magazine rifle widely used by the German Empire. This looks to have been one of the approximately 27,000 M1871/84 rifles acquired by the country of Venezuela in 1900, which like many South American countries purchased large quantities of arms from Europe. As these were obsolete at the time, they definitely got quite a bargain. It comes with an original sling and the correct Venezuelan M1900 bayonet and scabbard.

The rifle looks to have been in service for a long time, and definitely looks to have had the stock refurbished at arsenal, either before or after sale to Venezuela. This has made some of the fittings protrude a bit above the wood, and also has made the upper barrel band somewhat loose. It also has removed most of the stock markings. The metalwork shows an overall oxidized patina, possibly having been cleaned and blued over its entirety at some point. This has however not removed the Imperial German inspection and acceptance markings. Definitely a very interesting example, unlike any we have had before!

The serial number 7102 is present on the receiver and barrel, while the bolt is marked with serial number 12640. The other components are completely unmatching, typical for an arsenal refurbished rifle that saw long service. The receiver is dated 1888. on the right and marked I. G. Mod. 71/84. on the opposite side in "Black Letter" typeface. The top of the chamber is marked with a 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 this cypher during his reign 1861-1888. Next to this is a 11 designation, giving the bore diameter in millimeters. 

The rifle is complete with all major parts intact and functional, though it definitely shows wear and oxidation from service on all of the metal fittings. The bore is in somewhat similar condition, showing clear rifling but also overall fouling and light oxidation from lack of cleaning during service. There is some wear to the bolt face, and some light oxidation and grease on the inside of the receiver. The action cycles well, and the magazine cutoff selector works correctly, with the feed ramp moving correctly. We checked, and the firing pin is still intact, and the safety on the bolt is fully functional.

The rear sight is still present and fully functional, though it is a bit stiff due to oxidation. The stock shows a lovely honey color and the finish is still very well retained. There are no cracks or other major issues, just the missing cartouches from being completely reconditioned. Both sling swivels are still present and functional, and there is a very nice aged leather sling marked BROWNING / U.S.A. attached to them. We assume this was added after it was sold out of service.

The M1900 bayonets made for the M1871/84 Mauser in Venezuela were patterned closely on the Belgian M1889 bayonet. This was originally developed by Fabrique Nationale (FN) in the mid-1890s when FN produced Spanish Mauser rifles for Brazil and Uruguay. Originally made with a hooked quillon, many (such as this example) subsequently had the quillon removed. It is in very nice condition, and still retains the original steel scabbard.

This is a chance to add a very interesting Mauser rifle to your collection, one which most likely saw service in Venezuela. Most that we see are WWI Veteran bring-backs, so this is a rare treat! Ready to research and display!

Specifications (Rifle):-

Year of Manufacture: 1888
Caliber: 11x60mmR Mauser
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 inches
Overall Length: 51 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 8 Round Tubular Magazine

Specifications (Bayonet):-

Blade Length: 11 3/4"
Blade Style: Single Edge w/ Fuller
Overall length: 16 5/8"
Crossguard: 2 7/8”
Scabbard Length: 12 1/4"

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.

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.