One of 5000?

[Patrick Chadwick]

Is this a Boer carbine?

Attachment 34963
As far as I can tell from the information in Ball, “Mauser Military Rifles of the World”, 3rd edition – yes:

An 18” Mauser carbine, marked MOD. MAUSER 1896 over LUDWIG LOEWE & Co. BERLIN.
Attachment 34968
Flat-bottomed bolt body.
Completely matching numbers.
Number 4114. No prefix or suffix number.
Attachment 34967
The mark below the number is the crown over fraktur letter L(?), as shown in Ball, lying on its left side.

The same mark is on the bolt handle, lying on its right side.
Attachment 34969
No trace of receiver ring crest or removal of such. Under a watchmaker’s eyeglass very fine finishing marks can be seen that go right round the receiver ring, into which marks the number and stamp have been applied - i.e. finishing marks before numbering, not the other way around (which would indicate refinishing).

Bore excellent for the age, with (under an eyeglass) some fine pitting of the grooves at the muzzle end, but lands bright all the way through.
Smooth ,almost mirror bright chamber. "Low mileage" internals.
Attachment 34970

Lovely woodwork, not varnished, almost too good for a rifle that was in a conflict.
Attachment 34962
However, I have looked at a great deal of Mauser woodwork of all vintages, and I cannot say that the wood was obviously refinished. If the wood was refinished, it was done excellently and a long time ago.

Unusual alteration of the foresight, with a bead-strip hard-soldered onto the blade.
Attachment 34964Attachment 34965

Unusual alteration of the backsight, with a ring added on above the V. The V itself has not been damaged or filed out.
Attachment 34966Attachment 34971

The ring may look off-center, but it matches the V perfectly. Very careful work, not a fudge!

Wallhanger price, so no financial tragedy if it is not a Boer Mauser.

How say you gentlemen? Could it be? And how about the sights? Has anyone seen anything like this anywhere else, especially on Boer carbines?

Looking forward to your comments!


Patrick

PS: all the photos are of the rifle as received a couple of hours ago. I have not cleaned it up, just goggled and made photos!

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