Imperial Gewehr 71/84

[chaosrob]

Thought some would like to see this rifle. It needs wiped down but it appears to be a really nice example

Information

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[Ax.303]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

[oldcorps]

Fantastic rifle and outstanding pix! Great post!

[Aragorn243]

Very nice, don't see them in that condition often.

I had a guy try to sell me one that looked good but on slightly closer inspection (didn't take much) it was obvious it was redone and it was a replacement stock with fake cartouches on it. He swore up and down it was legit and got angry at me when I told him I wasn't interested. Wanted $575 for it. i picked one up a few months later for under $200, not in as nice shape but nice enough.

[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.

[Calif-Steve]

I was in high school when our local gunshop brought in 50 of the 71/84's. All mint or better condition. This was around 1962/3, if I can recall it. They were out of Spain and were old Spanish Civil War guns. They were a sight to behold.

[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.