German 71/84 Mauser Spandau 11×60 Bolt Action Rifle 1888 Antique

SOLD FOR: $1481

LSB#: 220110JA002

Make: Spandau Arsenal, Germany

Model: 71/84 (1871/1884)

Serial Number: 445

Year of Manufacture: 1888. Production at Spandau ran from 1885 to 1888.

Caliber: 11x60mm Black Powder

Action Type: Bolt action with an 8 shot tubular magazine.

Markings: There is no visible import mark. The top of the barrel shank is marked “crown / SPANDAU”. The left side of the barrel shank is marked with the serial number, “11”, “crown / F.W.” and with two “crowned letters”. The right side of the barrel shank is marked with 3 “crowned letters”. The right side of the receiver is marked “1888.” and with a “crowned letter”. The left side of the receiver is marked with the serial number and “I. G. Mod 71/84.” (I.G. for Infanterie Gewehr or Infantry Rifle.) Most of the metal parts, down to the screws, are marked with “crowned letters” and/or the last 2 digits of the serial number. The magazine followers is the only part marked with 2 digits that do not correlate to the serial number. The underside of the grip, right side of the buttstock, and bottom of the buttstock are each marked with “crowned letters”.

Barrel Length: Approximately 31 ½ Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is an inverted “V” post set atop a small base. The rear sight is a “V” notched flip up sight ladder. There is one stationary notched blade, one flip up notched blade at the rear of the assembly, one notch on the top of the sight ladder, and one sliding blade assembly on the flip up sight ladder. The ladder is marked from “4 – 14” and “16” at the top.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The hardwood stock has a straight grip, two barrel bands, nose cap with bayonet lug, two sling loops, stacking bar mounted on the magazine cap and a metal buttplate. The buttplate and stock hardware show scrapes, scratches, and surface erosion. The wood shows several scarpes, scratches and compression marks. Many have damaged small portions of the surface wood. These marks have been oiled. The LOP measures 13 1/4 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus overall condition as an antique.

Type of Finish: Blue. Receiver and Bolt in the White

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright and the rifling is deep. There is intermittent erosion near the muzzle.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% its metal finish. The metal shows scrapes, small scratches, and discoloration from oxidation. The metal also shows small spots of scattered surface erosion. The screw heads show light use and oxidation. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus condition as an antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle.  As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
The shell carrier and magazine cutoff lever function. The magazine spring still has tension.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with an unmarked leather sling. It shows surface creasing, scrapes and discoloration. The metal shows oxidation. It is in Very Good condition.

Our Assessment: This Model 71/84 Mauser was made at the Spandau Arsenal back in 1888. It has lots of markings on the metal and wood. The markings on the metal are deep and include lots of small crowns & matching parts numbers. Most of the numbers match. The magazine follower does not match but it is a part that is rarely seen or inspected. This military rifle is over 130 years old and looks pretty good for its age. This Antique Mauser is a piece of firearms history and will add to your collection.
The Mauser Model 71/84 was designed as a tubular magazine version of the Model 1871 rifle. The Model 1871 was the first rifle model designed and manufactured by Paul and Wilhelm Mauser. The 11x60mm black powder cartridges are inserted through the open bolt onto a carrier and into the eight round tube magazine. When the bolt is opened, the carrier rises, allowing the round on it to feed into the chamber. The magazine cutoff can be engaged to make this a single shot rifle. For more on the Mauser Model 71/84 see pages 156 to 170 of Robert Ball’s book, Mauser Military Rifles of the World Fifth Edition.