I have a chance to buy one of these in very good original condition. The markings show it from the Erfurt Arsenal. The caliber is the .43 Mauser. It also comes with 2 boxes of the old Dominion shells. Anyone have one of these or has shot one. Is there anything I should be on the watch for. The date code is 1887 on the rear of the reciever. Any info would be great, Bob
Mauser 71/84
- Thread starter bob347
- Start date
1) Damn near every part on these guns will bear the last two digits of the serial number on the receiver. Gun is considered matching if all numbered parts are the same #
2) Make sure it has it's extractor. It's a weak part and it's not unusual to find them broken or missing.
3) Make sure no parts such as bands, screws etc are missing. It's almost impossible to find stock fittings etc for these now.
4) Inspect the bore. Most 71/84s I've seen weren't bad but as they were used with black powder ctgs, it always pays to give the bore a good once over.
5) inspect the stock for cracks. Again, replacements are unobtainium.
6)The Dominion cartridges are worth more as collector's items than as shootable ammo at this point. They have balloon caseheads are are not really suitable for reloading anyways.
You can get new components from Epps or other well stocked gunshops. Lee makes the dies.
I had a Mauser 71/84 at one time. They are a nice weapon to shoot. Keep the ammo for collecting and get new cases and a mold off the net. The numbers on the parts are assembly numbers. The rifle was assembled, i then assembled, and the parts heat treated, then reassembled, according to one source on German rifles.
You'lll find a 125 pic photo montage of an "all correct" with clear detailed markings 1887 I.G. (Infanterie-Gewehr) Model 71/84 (11mm) Mauser (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=71, displayed in the Germany - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here) http://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=15
1887 I.G. (Infanterie-Gewehr) Model 71/84 (11mm) Mauser
(Manufactured at Amberg Arsenal in 1887)
(Click PIC to Enlarge)
Finding them in really good condition can be a challenge. Personally, I love shooting this vintage of old milsurps.
Hope that helps ...
Regards,
Badger
