1871 Mauser Carbine

[Tango Charlie Six]

Need help identifying a carbine I purchased. All matching including stock.
Thank you.
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Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Patrick Chadwick]

That is an M71 cavalry carbine. Chambered in 11,15x60R, just like the long M71.
The large proof mark on the side flat of the barrel ring is a crown over a "fraktur" letter R. IN the time-frame of M71 carbine manufacture (ca. 1876 to 1881) this is possibly that of inspector Rönne. He is recorded as having been transferred to Erfurt from Danzig on 21 May 1876, in Erfurt up to 3 March 1878 and then posted to the ammunition factory in Danzig. But the records are incomplete and there were other "R" inspectors, so this may be incorrect.

On the receiver body, at the right, just in front of the bolt screw retaining ring, there should be traces of the year of manufacture (not the model year).
The flat on top of the barrel ring should also show the factory name in clear text.
However, there appears to be a Chinese (???) marking at the front of this flat, so the original factory name may have been erased.

I cannot make out the text on the left side of the receiver. Please try another photo with angled lighting.

[Tango Charlie Six]

Thank you Patrick. There is not a manufacture date on the right side, the barrel is clean except for the serial number. The only other markings are on the bottom of the barrel. I have seen the marking on the top of the receiver before but can't find it in any of my books. It may have been on another rifle for sale.
There is a Prussian eagle in a circle on the right rear of the stock.
Here are some better pictures.
Thank you again.
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[Patrick Chadwick]

I have seen the marking on the top of the receiver before but can't find it in any of my books.

I know the feeling. It bothers me, too. I am still searching!

[Tango Charlie Six]

Thank you Patrick for the great news.
You are such a wealth of information.
She will be taken care of and remain untouched.
Do you still have your carbine? If so could you post a picture of it.
Its one of the best I've seen.
Thank you again,
Steve

[Patrick Chadwick]

You have a rarity - the text on the left side of the receiver is "F. v. Dreyse Sömmerda"

I.e. Franz von Dreyse, Sömmerda

Dreyse made a few M71s, but lost the business to Erfurt.

---------- Post added at 08:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:50 PM ----------

If you follow this thread, you will see that you have acquired a great rarity:

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread....ghlight=Dreyse

The Dreyse M71s are rare enough. A Dreyse M71 carbine is practically in the hen's teeth category.

This all confirms that the inspector was indeed Ronne. Since the Sömmerda inspectorate had been closed (see link to the thread above) the last Dreyse-made M71s were sent to Erfurt for inspection and acceptance. This narrows the possible date of acceptance to between 21 May 1876 and 3 March 1878.

Congratulations

- and do NOT alter it in any way. Clean it, of course, but no alteration!

[Patrick Chadwick]

Alas, I do not have an M71 carbine. It was the other black-powder Patrick (Villiers) who had one (good) but sold it (bad).

[Tango Charlie Six]

Sorry to many knowledgeable Patrick's from Germany.
You don't jump out of airplanes too?
Thank you,

[villiers]

Yes ... I sold it as I had to make a decision either to keep my Werder cav. carbine or the 71. As I´m not a collector, it was either one or t´other. No time to shoot both. Hard decision but the Werder has a lot going for it. The mechanism still astonishes me. `Tis often said that the Werder is not accurate, and it tool a lot of effort to get it sorted out. The Werder is a warrior, whereas the 71 never saw action. And I like the looks of the Werder. But have still got some pics of the 71:-

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[villiers]

Attachment 51702All depends on which Patrick. I´m the one who can´t shoot straight. The other Patrick´s the one who wins the trophies.