Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service used example of the Model 1895 Chilean Mauser Rifle, made by the renowned LUDWIG LOEWE ARMS COMPANY of BERLIN. It shows signs of long service wear, though it was not abused, which has given it a fantastic patina of age that is 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 ANTIQUE 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 incredible example is marked with the production information:

To the left of this is serial number H7906, which is also stamped on the bolt and magazine housing / trigger guard. Shortened number 06 is present on some smaller parts, while others are unmatching. This definitely looks to a rifle that saw much time in service, and had parts replaced at arsenal. While the stock serial number is worn away, it definitely looks to be original, and only small parts were swapped out.

The chamber has a crisp Chilean coat of arms marked on it, though the butt stock cartouche is mostly worn away, and the date not visible. The rest of the stock has a nice aged light brown to it, showing the expected dents and scratches from long service. The metal is in a similar condition, with the original bluing worn in places, particularly on the fittings and on the barrel. The receiver area still has a lot of the original finish, and there is also still much of the the "Niter Blue" color on the magazine follower, and the bolt release. The bright steel bolt and cleaning rod have faded to a slightly oxidized patina, but do not show any major rust.

We checked the action, which cycles and dry fires correctly, though we cannot guarantee that the magazine will feed. The bore is in very good condition, with a partly bright finish showing clear lands in grooves. There is some wear to the rifling, and some light haze overall, but not any major rust pitting or other issues.

Another Military Contract from the Victorian era that Mauser managed to snag from all its European competitors. In very nice 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.