Ludwig Lowe 1893 Spanish Mauser.

[Anzac15]

Picked up a nice, all matching Ludwig Lowe Model 1893 Spanish Mauser today. 'Mauser Espanol Modelo 1893 Manufactura Lowe Berlin' on right side of receiver, 'Berlin 1896' on top of receiver ring and on stock. No import mark. Stock has 'WJ' carved somewhat ornately on it, with similar 'W's on top handguard and right side of forestock. I thought that perhaps there was a chance that this rifle was used in the SpanAm War, but to my surprise, when I disassembled it for cleaning, I found the stock to be 'duffle bag cut'. As I've pretty much seen this on WW2 weapons, this was kind of a stunner

---------- Post added at 06:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:40 PM ----------

Hit the submit button by accident....
Anyway, I've never seen this on one of these. In fact, I think I can count on one hand how many German manufactured Spanish Mausers I've seen. I will have pics soon, as this old girl is disassembled and soaking right now. Dirty old girl!

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]

Stock has 'WJ' carved somewhat ornately on it, with similar 'W's on top handguard and right side of forestock.

Very unusual. Sounds more like the sort of thing the Boers did. It will be interesting to see the photos.

[Calif-Steve]

Coming out of Chile? Anything is posssible, but cut for Cavalry use? Just my guess.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Anything is posssible

... but some things are unlikely. Like a Spanish name starting with a W.

[Anzac15]

No, it's definitely Spanish. And a long rifle, guess I forgot to put that. Patrick, the Boers were the first thing I thought of when I saw it. Did the Loewe Spanish Mausers make it over there? But it's that darn duffle cut thats befuddlin' me..

---------- Post added at 07:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:20 PM ----------

I'll have pics up as son as I can tomorow.

---------- Post added at 07:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:21 PM ----------

I'll have pics up as son as I can tomorow.

[Patrick Chadwick]

No, it's definitely Spanish.

I didn't say it wasn't - the rifle, I mean. It is W as a Spanish initial that is highly unlikely (athough, remembering that famous Chileno Bernado O'Higgins, strange things do occur).

But it's that darn duffle cut thats befuddlin' me..

Why? Duffle bags/kit bags were surely not invented by GIs in WWII? And very few suitcases/cabin trunks etc are long enough to take a proper long rifle. So the stock sawing could have been done by anyone with a transport problem. Also the name carving .

[Anzac15]

Actually, no reason I can't show some pics of the stock right now..

---------- Post added at 07:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:50 PM ----------

...and that Bernardo O'Higgins..gotta luv him.

[Anzac15]

The pics..

[Patrick Chadwick]

Definitely a Spanish Mauser 1893 rifle. The "Saturn" (planet with a ring) is a Spanish inspection mark.
Series "H", marked with Spanish crest over Berlin 1896 is one of the Spanish order for approx. 85000 rifles with block letters E-R.
More than 20,000 captured in 1898 at Santiago de Cuba, of which approx. 9000 offered for sale by Bannerman.
BUT a Bannerman rifle would not have a duffle-cut, as there would not have been a length problem for transport.

As I wrote previously, a duffle cut could have been applied by anyone with a transport problem. But, of course, very likely for a "smuggled" bring-back. And kitbags, a.k.a. duffle bags, have been around in some form ever since there were sailors.
And WJ is odd for Spanish initials.
And a Spanish soldier would have not been permitted to carve his rifle like that.

I therefore conclude that this is indeed VERY PROBABLY a GI bring-back from the SpanAm war, brought back by someone with the initials WJ, and you have indeed got rifle with a history.

Now let's see how it shoots!


Patrick

---------- Post added at 02:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:12 PM ----------

Please take a very careful look at the wood about 1" below the number marking on the receiver. In your photo there appear to be traces of a number, maybe acceptance mark, just where one would expect it on a marked stock.

[Anzac15]

Patrick, thanks for the info! Yes, that is a matching number on the stock, forgot to mention that. As a matter of fact, am taking it to the range today. Will let you know how she does! Thanks again.

---------- Post added at 10:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:24 AM ----------

I did forget to mention one thing, and forgot to take a pic of it as well. The top of the barrel about a half inch from where it joins the receiver, there is a small Spanish flaming bomb symbol. When I get home with it later today I'll post a pic.