Odd Model 1896 carbine

[kjohn]

I have had this little sweetheart in the pile for many years. It has has alterations to the stock, obviously, and there is no crest. Clearly, as the pic shows, it is, indeed, a Model 1896 Ludwig Loewe. I think it is a 7x57, but I don't have the rifle with me at the moment. It looks much like the two little Spanish carbines I sold to a friend this summer.

Anyone have thoughts or info on such a beast?

 

[kjohn]

One more pic.

 

[tiriaq]

What is stamped under the serial number on the left side of the receiver ring?

 

[JP]

A lightly sporterized Boer Mauser 1896 Carbine in my opinion.

 

[bearhunter]

I'm almost thinking it may be in a Mod 1916 Spanish stock.

 

[kjohn]

What is stamped under the serial number on the left side of the receiver ring?

 

[kjohn]

I'm almost thinking it may be in a Mod 1916 Spanish stock.

You might have the right idea there. Those two plugs in the butt stock seem to have given a hint.

 

[kjohn]

Thanks to Potashminer for sending me some good info on rifles such as the one in question. The little carbine is now in a friend’s hands, safe and sound.

 

[RRCo.]

Pity the stock was ruined by over-cleaning. Otherwise very nice.

 

[Potashminer]

Pity the stock was ruined by over-cleaning. Otherwise very nice.

I am reasonably certain that is NOT the original stock for that receiver - someone likely whittled a stock from a similar rifle to fit, and look "nicer". Back in the day, within reason, I do not think much concern was given about "looks" - for a war fighting thing, was about "did it work" (at least, did it work "good enough"), was it "cheap to make" (so we could have lots of them), could it be repaired in a hurry with "drop-in" parts. It is generally privately owned, non-war use, that get the sort of attention to make it "look unique" or to "look nice".

 

[kjohn]

The little rifle is now in the hands of a friend who appreciates it.

 

[RRCo.]

I am reasonably certain that is NOT the original stock for that receiver - someone likely whittled a stock from a similar rifle to fit, and look "nicer". Back in the day, within reason, I do not think much concern was given about "looks" - for a war fighting thing, was about "did it work" (at least, did it work "good enough"), was it "cheap to make" (so we could have lots of them), could it be repaired in a hurry with "drop-in" parts. It is generally privately owned, non-war use, that get the sort of attention to make it "look unique" or to "look nice".

I see your point: those "cheeks" would never been seen on Boer Mauser carbine stock. Not to mention the missing marks that should be in the stock below the serial number.

 

[Potashminer]

Yes - below is a picture of the dusty one that I have here - maybe can see the serial number is also on the wood stock, below the serial number on the receiver ring. It looks like a few more swipes with sandpaper and that would be gone forever from that stock. Notice, also, that this one has a receiver hand guard ring to hold the rear of the upper hand guard - unlike the one shown by kjohn. An Argentine 1909 Cavalry carbine here has got "clips" (under the hand guard) that snap over the chamber to hold the rear of the hand guard - might be what that rifle has??

From reference books here, there were four series of these rifles sent from Berlin to the ZAR, something like 37,000 in total, besides the 7,900 sent to the OVS. One series had no letter in front of the serial number, then "A" series, then "B" series, then "C" series - at least one shipment was intercepted by the British naval blockade and returned to Berlin, where they were re-marked and ended up in a contract to Chile - so there are "C" series with Chile crests, that never did get to a Boer state, even though they might have Boer markings on them.



I think those "cheek panels" were often found on German style sporters - very slim stocks, but needed that extra wood on each side to span the magazine mortice so the stock would not split under recoil - at least I think that I had read that. As if they became a "decorative" feature, but had a mechanical function as well.