SOLD - Mauser Model 1871 Rifle

Description

12/15/21 - This is a nice example of a Mauser Model 1871 Rifle. Adopted as the Gewehr 71 or Infanterie-Gewehr 71, or "Infantry Rifle 71 ("I.G.Mod.71" was stamped on the rifles themselves) 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. This example is all matching except for the bolt. It also has Imperial German proofs throughout and has no import marks. It has lost nearly all of its original finish with light brown patina and spotty oxidation throughout. The bore has decent rifling, but there are areas of spotty oxidation and minor pitting throughout. The stock has dings, dents, and scratches throughout - typical of a gun this age. There a few more noticeable notches in the left side of the stock about halfway down.