MAUSER 71/84 Bolt Action Infantry Rifle…..

Excellent Model 71/84 Mauser by SPANDAU

In the authors’ opinion; one of the finest military arms ever produced.  The quality of the workmanship and strength of the build coupled with the sheer engineering finesse is hard to match.  You know when you have this arm in you hand – its weight is difficult to ignore but, along with that weight is the simple solid reliability; you know this weapon is going to produce results.  Okay, the round is slow and fouls the bore very quickly but, you wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of its firepower – it must have been like facing off a Dreadnought!

Originating from the 1871 single shot rifle, these rifles were a development which turned the earlier weapon into an eight shot repeater by the addition of a tubular magazine.  The experienced solder could even effectively make the rifle hold 10 rounds in total!  Officially it was designed to take eight rounds.  Other European powers had developed magazine arms and Germany hastily converted their single shot weapons into this Model, in an effort to keep up.  However, by the time all the changes had past tests in development, it was 1886 before the first weapons emerged from the factories.  This example was actually produced in 1888.  While the Germans had been rushing to develop this monster repeater, the other military powers were now adopting the smaller 30′ calibre weapons with much better ballistics and smokeless powders.  This had the effect of virtually making the Mauser obsolete before it was issued.  This is, to the modern-day weapons collectors, a bonus, as many of them saw very little use.  The 71/84 was very soon replaced by the infamous “Commission 88”.  This is the reason so many of these 71/84s’ turn up with such very fine bores, as does this one.  This despite the fact that their propellant, black powder was highly corrosive.

This rifle carries the serial number “5880”  This is matching on all parts including the bolt, breech, barrel.  The last two digits “80” appear on all the ancillary and small components right down to the screw heads, where it appears adjacent to an Imperial inspection stamp.  This rifle was made in the Spandau works and is marked so in the top flat of the hexagonal portion of the barrel, behind the rear sight. “SPANDAU”  is clearly seen below the Imperial Crown.  The initials “F.W” also appear beneath the crown on the LHS 45 degree flat of the same.  There are many Imperial inspection and acceptance stamps on the breech hexagonal form.  The model designation “I.G. Mod. 71/84” which literally means “Infantry Rifle…..” is on the LHS of the action wall.  As is the norm with German rifles of this era, all the components have a marking of some type and all match.

The rifle measures an impressive 50.3/4″ in overall length.  The round blued barrel is 31.5/8″ long.  The Pull length to centre is 13″.  Chambered in 11mm Mauser.  The rifle has a stacking hook under the muzzle on a circular cap on the end of the magazine.  The front band incorporates the bayonet lug. The mid band has the forward sling swivel fitted under.  The smooth trigger is protected by a steel trigger guard which also acts as the anchor point for the rear sling swivel.  The rear ladder sight is graduated from 400 to 1600 meters.  Simple inverted “V” front sight on a block (even the foresight V is numbered 80 !)  The rifle is equipped with a sophisticated magazine cut-off system in the form of a catch mounted on the rear LHS of the action.  When pushed forward the lever stops the feed ramp from functioning, when pulled to the rear it allows the rifle to feed from the tube under the barrel.  This is all in fine working order.  There is a flag safety mounted on the rear of the straight armed bolt.

Single piece European Walnut stock with straight wrist in very good condition.  Even colour and satin finish. No splits cracks or serious dents very few unintended marks at all.  Good Imperial crowned Inspection and acceptance stamps on the underside of the wrist and the RHS of the butt.  On diss-assembly for total clean and overhaul the matching number was found within the stock.  Steel butt-plate with matching number and most interestingly, on the top crest of the curved plate are the original issue unit markings.  They read; “11.R.E. / 2.100.”  Further research required, but thought to be The 11th Reserve Ersatz regiment.

As noted above, the bore is in fine condition with clean, 4-groove RH twist rifling for its entire length.  However, there is one tiny, almost insignificant point of disruption to the surface of the bore, which I have to mention because I have not had the time to further investigate or try to shift it.  Otherwise this rifle is in better condition than many other more modern rifles that I have examined.  Mechanically the rifle is functioning correctly and now CIP Nitro proofed.  Condition is very good.  External ware is very even and absolutely as expected for a weapon of this age. The rifle as a whole has turned to an even grey all over, the results of years of inactivity.  The stock on balance, might be thought to be in better condition than the rifle, but is original to the weapon.  One replacement bolt on forward sling swivel probably due to stripped thread.  No attempts at refinishing spotted.

A superb clean example of the 71/84, it has survived the ravages of time well. It is definitely worth a place in any serious rifle collection – and an interesting piece of military history.

Section 58(ii) No License Required.

 £ 1795.

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