Mexican DWM 1895 Mauser Carbine 7x57mm Bolt Action Rifle, 1897 Antique
SOLD FOR: $2,800.00
LSB#: LSB250926MC007
Make: Deutsche Waffen-Und Munitionsfabriken (DWM), Berlin Germany
Model: 1895 Carbine
Serial Number: A5437
Year of Manufacture: 1897 (A-Prefx) Reworked in 1903 / Antique
Caliber: 7mm Mauser (7x57mm)
Action Type: Bolt action, internal 5 round magazine.
Markings: The top of the receiver has a Mexican crest and (1903). The left side of the receiver is marked, “A5437”. The left side of the receiver is marked, “DEUTSCHE WAFFEN-UND MUNITIONSFABRKEN BERLIN”. Not all parts are serial matched. There are various small proofs throughout.
Barrel Length: 18”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tall barleycorn post set into a barrel mounted base with protective wings. The rear sight is a V-notch flip-up ladder sight assembly marked out to 14.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a two piece wood stock set with a capped forend, hole for missing cleaning rod, barrel band w/ sling loop, straight wrist, straight comb, sling loop w/ saddle ring, and steel buttplate. There are scratches and pressure dents throughout along with small chips. The LOP measures 13 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Good overall condition as an antique.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp. There is light erosion throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates at a 8.5/10 as an antique.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. There are scratches and nicks throughout along with small spots of thinning and moderate to heavy patina throughout. The bolt has a moderate patina and dried grease. The action has light wear. The screw heads are mostly sharp. The markings are blurry in spots. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good to Fine condition as an antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Mexican Model 1895 carbine represents one of the early military contracts awarded to Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken (DWM) during the formative years of Mauser’s international expansion. Produced in 1897 for the Mexican government, these carbines were part of Mexico’s effort to modernize its armed forces with the newly adopted 7x57mm Mauser system, a cartridge and action that would become highly influential across Latin America. This example was later arsenal-reworked in 1903, a common practice among nations maintaining long-serving Mauser inventories, and it retains the compact 18 inch barrel, saddle ring, and stout construction characteristic of cavalry and mounted-troop carbines. Rifles and carbines from this contract saw heavy use during a turbulent era in Mexican history, including the Porfiriato, the Mexican Revolution, and subsequent internal conflicts, making surviving examples historically compelling. The 7x57mm Mauser cartridge, introduced by Paul Mauser in 1892, earned a worldwide reputation for its accuracy, flat trajectory, and mild recoil. It became a favored military round from Spain to South America and was later adopted by hunters for its excellent performance on medium game. In a compact carbine like this one, the cartridge offered a strong balance of power and controllability for mounted troops. This rifle’s semi-bright bore with sharp rifling is notably strong for an 1897 antique, and while light erosion is present, it remains far cleaner than is typical for rifles of this age that often saw service with corrosive ammunition. The exterior wear, patina, and softened markings reflect honest use and decades of storage, adding character consistent with its long service life.
Antique Mexican Mausers occupy a unique place in the collecting world due to their scarcity, varied histories, and clear association with early 20th-century military and revolutionary events. Carbines in particular were produced in smaller numbers and frequently saw harder use, making well-preserved examples increasingly desirable. This rifle’s strong mechanical function, solid bore, matching crest, and intact antique configuration make it a meaningful representative of Mexico’s early Mauser era. -R.E.
