A "what are they worth" post - Mauser 71/84 and Snider Enfield

Killer Kanuck

Killer Kanuck

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I'm thinking of selling off a couple of rifles I'm not using, but really don't have any idea of what the going rate for them is. Both appear to be original in configuration and in good operational condition (bores are in good overall condition as well). Any help would be appreciated.

One is a Mauser model 1871/84 and the other is a Snider Enfield. Both have unit markings on the butt plates. If more info is needed just let me know and I'll find it.

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On the 71/84

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On the Snider

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Snider-Enfield will be one of the early Marks, considering that it has an 1859 lock. Likely this will be one of the rifles that came to Canada to foil the foul Fenian fiendishness and restore Peace, Order and Good Government (preamble to the BNA Act) to the British Subjects resident in these Colonies.

It is a nice, clean three-band Infantry Rifle, so would have been carried by Privates, Lance-Corporals and Corporals. Sergeants had their own version: just two bands. Rifles such as this were $6 when I was a kid; I hear they have gone up a bit since then.... a hundred times or so. Still a nice toy and they are a BALL of fun to shoot.

As to the Mauser, I haven't the faintest idea what they are selling for these days. I paid $100 for a Bubba 71/84 just a couple months ago. If this one showed up at 4 times that, I would try to raise the money somehow. Nice specimen of a much-underappeciated rifle from a very interesting era in firearms development. Rifles will never again be made to this standard of fit and finish: just economically impossible.

Very nice.
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To the OP , i don't know the snyder but for the Mauser with it in such great shape i could see 400-500. Sporters with cracked wood, missing tube mag's and the like are so common. the only issue is loading your own ammo

smellie : if you like the 71/84 you would like the steyr 1886 if you aren't familiar with them already.
 
I would DEFINITELY like the 1886 Steyr, especially the straight-pull model, but haven't been able to lay hands on one of them.... nor the 1885, 1888, 1888/90. Very interesting rifles; halfway to a BAR, but don't tell John Moses Himself Browning.

I DO have a couple of Steyr-built Krops and they are super-nice also. Have you seen a really good Vergueiro?
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VERY clean 71/84 wood, never seen it cleaner. Two of mine have darker walnut stocks on them, metal on one is quite clean and the other looks just like yours. Both are Spandau 1888 made and are less than 1000 units off from each other.

71/84s in full military config are quite valuable to the collector. 43 Mauser is a difficult cartridge to load for with it being black powder but people have loaded low pressure level smokeless rounds for these. Considering the sheer amount that were cut down and turned into sporters, the full military ones are quite desirable. Unit markings are always a plus and add premium to the price. Yours has unit markings on the butt plate tang. You can trace that unit back and see where they were stationed too.

The manufacturer name should be stamped on the top of the barrel, which one is it for your 71/84 ?

As for a rough range, I have seen full military 71/84s range in price from $650 up to $900 depending on overall condition, matching numbers, and unit markings. Some more close up shots of the bluing on the rifle would be great as well.
 
I was wondering that too. Seems to be...

If it's all matching on ALL screws and parts, good bore, fully functional and NOT varnished, $600 or so. If that's varnish but all matching and otherwise good... I'd pay $450 or so. If the blueing were very good, then I would say 700, and perfect absolutely pristene, $900-1000... however this one isn't.

In summary - $450 most likely.
 
Just to let you know, pre-war German rifles have a hand rubbed oiled finish on the stocks that is somewhat reflective under the light. Both of my 71/84s have this type of finish on their stocks.

We'll need to see some more pictures of the stock and metal pieces to see if they have been re-finished at one point.
 
Thanks to all that have responded. If mother nature cooperates tomorrow I'll see if I can get some pictures with natural lighting.
 
The boiled linseed oil that Mauser used on these things when they were built was RED in colour; that's why the wood glowed so very nicely. Mauser actually sells this oil. Friend of mine bought a gallon of the stuff about 20 years ago; cost him $90 at that time. Expensive but SUPER nice.
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I'll post more pictures once I get them uploaded. It may have been varnished years ago - I honestly don't know. As for matching screws - everything I can see matches the last 2 digits of the serial (87) except for the the 2 barrel bands (which are 67 - nearsighted armourer?) and the screw in the butt (which is 45).
 
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