408

Exceptional Single Digit Serial Numbered Gebr. Mauser and Co. Oberndorf Marked Model 71 Bolt Action

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,800.00 USD Estimated At:4,500.00 - 7,000.00 USD
Exceptional Single Digit Serial Numbered Gebr. Mauser and Co. Oberndorf Marked Model 71 Bolt Action
This is an extremely important and historically significant Mauser rifle as it was the first production Mauser rifle designed by Paul Mauser to employ a single shot bolt action mechanism that utilized a metallic cartridge. These were the forerunners of all Mauser bolt rifle designs and this specific model was the first to be adopted by the Imperial German Army in the 1870s. It has a polished octagon shaped rifle receiver along with the rear 2 5/8 inches of the blued barrel. The top of the barrel flat is marked "GEBR. MAUSER & Co OBERNDORF" and the left flat is marked with the serial number. The left front flat of the receiver is marked with the serial number, the left rear "I G Mod 71" and the right rear is marked "1881". Blade front sight mounted on a square base and three leaf folding rear sight with a short folding leaf on the rear and a long leaf on the front with "11" and "12" graduation markings. Three barrel bands with a bayonet lug on the right front and mounted with a full length straight grip stock with a brass trigger guard, flat bright buttplate, slotted and serrated cleaning rod and brown leather cross hatch sling. Complete with a muzzle/front sight cover.
BBL: 33 1/2 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 11 mm
Finish: brown
Grips:
Serial Number: 9
Condition: Excellent. The rifle retains 98% of the original brown finish with minor flaking on the correct nitre blued barrel bands and an extremely small area on the left center of the barrel where the finish has flaked. The receiver and buttplate retain almost all of the original bright finish with some discoloration. The trigger guard has an attractively aged "mustard yellow" patina. The stock is also excellent with a few minor dents and light scratches. The sling is excellent. The markings are sharp. The action is excellent. Overall it would be difficult to improve on this rifle. A truly extraordinary Mauser Model 71 rifle!