~ Very Well Marked Mauser Model 1871 Bolt Action Rifle ~
The rifle has the original stamp “I.G.Mod.71” present. There are a number of proof marks throughout. The barrel and chamber have the serial number ‘6348D’. The bolt serial number is ‘79863’. The chamber has been restamped, dated 1878. The buttstock is marked with Kaiser William I monogram.
~ Mauser Model 1871 ~
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.
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 volley sights are in good working order, as is the action. The original ramrod is present, the bore is clean and the rifling is excellent. The woodwork is excellent, the metalwork has negligible surface rust and minor dents are present on the brass trigger guard. Overall, this is an exceptional example of the Mauser Model 1871.
~ Dimensions ~
The rifle weighs 4.5kg. The overall length is 135cm (53.15 inches). The barrel length is 85.5cm (33.66 inches).
ref. GS13197EE / CATBOO.
