Grenzaufsehergerwehr (GAG) M1879

[Patrick Chadwick]

(copy of a posting on the Mauser forum)

Grenzaufsehergewehr (GAG) M1879
Go on, admit you never heard of it - well, at least I hadn't until recently.
What, you know all about it!!! Then PLLLEEEEASE help me. I have one of these rarities, and I actually rejigged an 11x60R die set and trimmed down some M71 cases so that I could shoot it. The results were quite promising, but the poor thing is a bit bubba-ed. The fore-end cap is missing, and has been replaced by a piece of recycled tin can at some time in the past. Now while this may not have much effect on the accuracy, it looks rougher than even I am prepared to tolerate.

I have Ball and Olson, and have searched the net, but I cannot find a photo that clearly shows the front end. It must have looked a bit like the M71 cap, but without the bayonet lug.
Any picture that clearly shows the cap could help me to make a plausible replica!

Trusting in the wealth of expertise that is available on this forum, I eagerly await replies!

Patrick

P.S: for those who do not know what a Grenzaufsehergerwehr is, it could best be described as a Mauser M1871 "lite", using a shortened version of the 11x60R cartridge. About 4000 were made for the Prussian border officials. Not a common item at all!

Patrick

[cyten]

pretty jealous youve got one, been looking for awhile. here is a crappy picture and a link that has some more: http://www.seitengewehr.de/grenzaufsehergewehr-M.1879.pdf
had some really clear pics on my old comp before it crashed. there are some reloading dies out there bu i recall them being very expensive

[gunner]

Patrick,

try it here

Kuratorium zur Frderung historischer Waffensammlungen (http://www.waffensammler-kuratorium.de/)

Those guys are really helpfull and they will connect you to an specialist for that topic. I asked them often with an great success.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Thanks to both of you!


there are some reloading dies out there bu i recall them being very expensive

That's why I shortened a Lee set. I don't like to pay more for a die set than for the rifle!

I followed your link. Isn't it just infuriating how many photos you can find that don't quite show the detail you want?
In fact, your fuzzy photo is very helpful, as I can just about make out the style, with the swept back curve reminiscent of musket front-ends. The distance from the bayonet lug to the foresight blade gives me a known distance from which I can scale the whole thing, and I should be able to bend up something that looks plausible.

I will also follow up the suggestion from "gunner", but that will take a while.

Patrick
:wave:

[gew8805]

Congratulations Patrick, you are a very lucky guy!!!

:cheers:

An example of the Border Guards Rifle is almost impossible to find. Will you be posting pictures? Even with the modifications, we would love to see it.

[Patrick Chadwick]

An example of the Border Guards Rifle is almost impossible to find. Will you be posting pictures? Even with the modifications, we would love to see it.


Roger, wilco, but I have to put it together again first!

Patrick
:wave:

[cyten]

would still love to see pix!

[Patrick Chadwick]

would still love to see pix!

I have not forgotten, but this project is on the back burner for a couple of months while I do some serious revolver training - the competitions are in March, and it is quite frankly too cold to shoot, but I have no choice if I want to get my score off the floor!

[cyten]

would still love to see pics!

[Patrick Chadwick]

You'll have to wait a few days. At the moment it is dismantled for a 133-year service!