1904 Verguiero 6.5x58P
- Thread starter diopter
- Start date
I have one very similar to the OP's, had her for years and have not seen another.
Mine is a DWM made South African military property stamped (Arrow inside a U on top of receiver and in the wood on top of grip) 6.5x58mm M1904 Mauser-Vergueiro.
It is stamped 15 MR over 2 over M just above the crowned CR stamp on the right side of the stock, it has 93/373 stamped in the butt heal just behind the rear sling swivel as well and has UDF 15664 stamped on top of steel butt plate and NP 6.5mm 2-11" 37 GRS NC. 155 GRS on the barrel.
The bore is like new and bluing bright and is 90%, also it is all matching with cleaning rod except for the Bolt sleeve and safety which both match themselves. Bolt has the correct serial number. Bolt is in the white and is shiny like chrome.
This bolt is super smooth in operation, it almost opens and closes by itself with zero side to side slop.
This is what Smellie had to say about it -
"When Portugal sent the Portuguese Brigade (actually a Battalion) to fight on the Western front in the Great War, the Germans refused to sell them any more ammo: no sense of humour! So the logical thing happened: the Portuguese traded their Vergueiros for SMLEs and the Brits supplied them with ammo... and tin hats.... and Vickers guns...... and Lewis Guns and so forth. Portugal was very much a poor country and lacked just about everything for a modern war..... but they were willing enough to FIGHT a Britain's OLDEST ally: BEFORE the Armada.
The now-British Vergueiros were London proofed and sent to South Africa, closer to a steady supply of ammunition, especially when von Lettow-Vorbeck invaded Portuguese East after the Battle of the Bees at Tanga and the ensuing invasion of German territory by the South Arican military (with strong British backing). More Portuguse rifles would have followed when Portugal upped its single Battalion TO a Brigade, which was called the Portuguese Division.
Much fighting between SA/British/Portuguese troops and German troops ensued inside Portuguese East. When the Germans were chased out, they did the logical thing... and invaded Rhodesia! World War One actually ended, in the field, in November 25, 1918, when the Kaiserliche Schutztuppe assembled on parade in Abercorn, Rhodesia and formally surrendered their weapons. At that time, the German Army in Africa was armed largely with Lee-Enfields.
The Kaiserliche Schutztruppe's Askaris, their Black soldiers, finally received their pay in 1964, shortly after their great leader's death. He had lobbied for many years for the owed back-pay for his army.
Your rifle is Portuguese, made in Germany, and has London proofs with South African unit markings from one of their Mounted regiments of Rifles. There are at least 3 like it in Canada, of which I have seen 1 but own none. I did a piece on the first of the other rifles in the NFA Journal in 1979, so it's in there.
you have a real chunk of History there, friend. Treasure it!
Hope this helps."
Mine is a DWM made South African military property stamped (Arrow inside a U on top of receiver and in the wood on top of grip) 6.5x58mm M1904 Mauser-Vergueiro.
It is stamped 15 MR over 2 over M just above the crowned CR stamp on the right side of the stock, it has 93/373 stamped in the butt heal just behind the rear sling swivel as well and has UDF 15664 stamped on top of steel butt plate and NP 6.5mm 2-11" 37 GRS NC. 155 GRS on the barrel.
The bore is like new and bluing bright and is 90%, also it is all matching with cleaning rod except for the Bolt sleeve and safety which both match themselves. Bolt has the correct serial number. Bolt is in the white and is shiny like chrome.
This bolt is super smooth in operation, it almost opens and closes by itself with zero side to side slop.
This is what Smellie had to say about it -
"When Portugal sent the Portuguese Brigade (actually a Battalion) to fight on the Western front in the Great War, the Germans refused to sell them any more ammo: no sense of humour! So the logical thing happened: the Portuguese traded their Vergueiros for SMLEs and the Brits supplied them with ammo... and tin hats.... and Vickers guns...... and Lewis Guns and so forth. Portugal was very much a poor country and lacked just about everything for a modern war..... but they were willing enough to FIGHT a Britain's OLDEST ally: BEFORE the Armada.
The now-British Vergueiros were London proofed and sent to South Africa, closer to a steady supply of ammunition, especially when von Lettow-Vorbeck invaded Portuguese East after the Battle of the Bees at Tanga and the ensuing invasion of German territory by the South Arican military (with strong British backing). More Portuguse rifles would have followed when Portugal upped its single Battalion TO a Brigade, which was called the Portuguese Division.
Much fighting between SA/British/Portuguese troops and German troops ensued inside Portuguese East. When the Germans were chased out, they did the logical thing... and invaded Rhodesia! World War One actually ended, in the field, in November 25, 1918, when the Kaiserliche Schutztuppe assembled on parade in Abercorn, Rhodesia and formally surrendered their weapons. At that time, the German Army in Africa was armed largely with Lee-Enfields.
The Kaiserliche Schutztruppe's Askaris, their Black soldiers, finally received their pay in 1964, shortly after their great leader's death. He had lobbied for many years for the owed back-pay for his army.
Your rifle is Portuguese, made in Germany, and has London proofs with South African unit markings from one of their Mounted regiments of Rifles. There are at least 3 like it in Canada, of which I have seen 1 but own none. I did a piece on the first of the other rifles in the NFA Journal in 1979, so it's in there.
you have a real chunk of History there, friend. Treasure it!
Hope this helps."
Scarce, but not rare in Canada, at least a few years ago. I have two, one of which has "D.M.G.L.M." stamped in the buttstock. "D.M.G.L.M." stands for "Directorao Generale Militare Lorenco Marquis". Lorenco Marquis was the capitol of Portuguese East Africa and is now Maputo, Mozambique.
I had one of each at one time,really neat rifles.The original unaltered,conversion I had was a very good shooter although not in as nice a condition as yours.The 8X57 reworked conversion I had was a different story,I don't think it had more than a token amount of use when I bought it,excellent plus shape for sure and one awesome shooting rifle.Really kick myself for selling them.
Eaglelord17
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sault Ste. Marie
I just got a 1904/39 that was in the cosmoline still. The barrel was brand new and the rifle shot very well (better than I could shoot). I have always wanted to have one of the unconverted 1904s though, seems like it would be a fair bit of fun. Out of curiosity have you shot it, and if you have how did it shoot?
I have another 6.5mm long infantry rifle as well, a 1929 made Dutch M1916 Mannlicher Infantry rifle in 6.5x53R. I have clips, reloading dies and heaps of cases and it is super easy to make up more ammo out of .303 British cases. It also performs at the same level as the 6.5x55mm Swede and 6.5x58mm Portuguese.
I love 6.5mm rifles, they all shoot better than I can and offer superb accuracy and long range performance!
I love 6.5mm rifles, they all shoot better than I can and offer superb accuracy and long range performance!
I should share a few pics too:
Gun #1 - "Ridden hard and put away wet".
Gun #2 - Much better.
Your second one is from the same Mounted Rifles Regiment as my one.
When I next have it out of the safe for cleaning I will take some pictures of it to share on this post.
These 6.5x58mm M1904 Mauser-Vergueiro rifles show up on a long hand written list I have seen at the National Archives in London of small arm types inspected at RSAF Enfield in the Great War. The list also included the 3 models of Arisaka rifles and carbine.
I do not think these Portuguese rifles were ever Enfield inspection marked or the Arisaka's for that matter.
Regards
AlanD
Sydney
I do not think these Portuguese rifles were ever Enfield inspection marked or the Arisaka's for that matter.
Regards
AlanD
Sydney
From Cartridges of the World:
Try double clicking it to enlarge enough to read it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/carlosdiaopter/1904%20Verguiero%206%205%20Portuguese/65PortugueseCartridgesof########_zpsf5866f7f.jpg
Try double clicking it to enlarge enough to read it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/carlosdiaopter/1904%20Verguiero%206%205%20Portuguese/65PortugueseCartridgesof########_zpsf5866f7f.jpg
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I guess its my turn. Have a 1904 still in original 6.5x58mm. rifle in very good + condition ser.#7112 no prefex letter. the forward wood handguard is a different#.
it has the African D.M.G.L.M 1061 ON BUTTSTOCK AFORWARD WOOD. BLUING IS EXCELLENT. it does NOT have the U with arrow or the African defence letters that are most often seen on the rifle. I also shoot a 6.5x52 carcano factory refit and an older model 1891 mfg.in 1918 carcano with the greek conversion to 6.5x54 MS it still shoots the x52mm as well. Yes the 1904 VER. is a beautiful old world craftsman quality rifle I am proud to own.
DIOPTER,if you make it to VICTORIA call me dinner is my treat GLENN
it has the African D.M.G.L.M 1061 ON BUTTSTOCK AFORWARD WOOD. BLUING IS EXCELLENT. it does NOT have the U with arrow or the African defence letters that are most often seen on the rifle. I also shoot a 6.5x52 carcano factory refit and an older model 1891 mfg.in 1918 carcano with the greek conversion to 6.5x54 MS it still shoots the x52mm as well. Yes the 1904 VER. is a beautiful old world craftsman quality rifle I am proud to own.
DIOPTER,if you make it to VICTORIA call me dinner is my treat GLENN
