Imperial Gewehr 71/84

[harry mac]

That looks like a new stock. The stamps look still "raw". Certainly doesn't look like any 130 year old military rifle. Reblued too?
It's still a lovely looking rifle though.

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[Patrick Chadwick]

That looks like a new stock. The stamps look still "raw". Certainly doesn't look like any 130 year old military rifle. Reblued too? It's still a lovely looking rifle though.

Harry, I must respectfully disagree. The blueness is partially a result of the lighting. I know an active shooter who has one like that, and yes, they really can be almost mint! See Ball, "Mauser Military Rifles of the World", 5th Edition, P.157.

Being made in 1888, it will not have seen anything like active service as the type was rapidly replaced by the Gew.88. Look, for instance, at the inspection stamp and number on the unmarked head of the buttplate screw! That is the first mark to disappear if the rifle is subjected to "square-bashing". Furthermore, at the time, rifles issued to regiments were marked with regiment/battalion/weapon number on the tang of the buttplate (and often on the barrel bands as well), according to a standardized scheme. As far as I can tell from here, and seeing no such markings, that is a 100% original 71/84 that probably went straight from the arsenal into storage.

Congratulations chaosrob! BTW, the 10,95 on the barrel is the actual measured bore diameter. Useful to know for selecting bullets or molds if you are going to shoot it - as I hope you will.