~ 1888 Mauser 1871/84 Rifle, Sling And Bayonet ~
The rifle is dated 1888 behind the bolt. As well as the model stamp, there is a Spandau with crown to the top flap, matched issue numbers of 8697 to the barrel, chamber and bolt. It comes with its matching bayonet by Clemen and Jung with scabbard and sling.
~ Mauser 1871 And 1871/84 ~
The 1871 Mauser rifle was the first to be adopted by an army anywhere. Mauser would go on to supply Germany and much of the world with his rifle designs through two world wars and beyond. There had been earlier bolt action rifles, but the Model 1871 introduced a bolt with most of the features still used in bolt actions made today: Self-cocking, self-extracting, flag-type safety, and of course firing a metallic cartridge. In 1884 the rifle would be produced with a tubular magazine inside the stock and be designated the Model 1871/84.
The Model 1871 was used in conflicts long after it was obsolete. Germany supplied them to the Boers fighting the British. The Chinese were armed with them during the Boxer rebellion of 1900. Colonial German native troops, the Askaris, continued to use them through WWI. Fifteen hundred of them reached the hands of Irish Nationalists, many seeing action in the Easter Rebellion of 1916.
~ Condition ~
The rifles stock and metal work are in good, tidy order, the scabbard likewise, please refer to the images. The rifle dry fires with ease. The bayonet deploys and releases smoothly.
~ Dimensions ~
The rifle is 130 cm (51.25 inches) in length with a 72 cm (17 inches) barrel. The bayonet is 63 cm (24.75 inches) in length.
#10786
