Original Item: Only One Available. This is a great lightly used example of the Mauser Model 1871/84 rifle, the first Magazine rifle widely used by the German Empire. It looks to have seen only light service, and very little firing, so we do not believe it was reissued for use during WWI. There is some wear to the exterior, but it looks to mostly be from age.

The rifle is covered with Imperial German and Bavarian inspection and acceptance markings, which are still fully visible, many having been highlighted in white. The serial number 74606 or shortened number 06 appear on almost every component of the rifle, making this a very nice "ALL MATCHING" example. The receiver is dated 1887. on the right side, and marked I. G. Mod. 71/84. on the opposite side in "Black Letter" typeface. The rifle is complete with all major parts intact and functional, with much of the original blued finish retained on the barrel, while the parts of the rifle that were bright now show oxidation staining. There is a bit of rusting on the bottom of the lower barrel band.

The top of the chamber is marked (Crown) over Amberg, for the Bavarian (and later Imperial) arsenal in Amberg, in the Kingdom of Bavaria. Below this is the Crown over L proof for Luitpold, Prince Regent of Bavaria, who reigned from 1886–1912. His nephew Otto was technically the King, however he was deemed unfit for rule, so his uncle and later cousin ruled in his stead. Next to this is a 10,95 designation, giving the bore diameter in millimeters.

The butt plate tang of the rifle gives the clear regimental designation B. 1. R. E. 3. 46., which most likely stands for the 1st Royal Bavarian Infantry "King" Regiment, Ersatz (Replacement) company 3, 46th weapon. This regiment was first raised 1 July 1778, and garrisoned in München (Munich). They were part of the I Royal Bavarian Army Corps, which saw much service during WWI. This is exactly the type of rifle you would expect to see issued to an Ersatz unit.

The rifle cycles well, with a strong dry fire and no issues, and the magazine cutoff works correctly. The wing safety moves relatively easily, and functions correctly. The bore is in excellent barely used condition, showing a mirror bright finish with crisp lands and grooves. It looks close to mint, and the bolt face does not show any primer burn ring, so while this gun was carried, it was barely ever used. The stock shows only light wear from use in service, with pressure dents and scratches, but no major wear, chips, or other damage. The cartouches are still crisp, so it does not look to have been reconditioned at any time. It has a lovely red brown color and would be hard to improve upon.

This gun is most likely a WW1 Veteran's "bring back" souvenir. 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.

This is a chance to add a lovely example of an early Mauser rifle with a fantastic bore to your collection. Ready to display!

Specifications (Rifle):-

Year of Manufacture: 1887
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

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.

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