My latest, earliest Mauser

gravertom

gravertom

Joined
Jun 4, 2004
Messages
1,163
This is my newest acquisition, a model 71/84 mauser.

7184angle.jpg


An 8 shot repeater, via tube magazine, it shoots a .43 cal 385 grain bullet over 72 grains of BP.

This was a re work of the mauser 71, which was a single shot. This was mauser's first repeating rifle to see service, although it never saw frontline combat action. It was replaced by the 1888 commision rifle, which was a rifle designed for the smokeless 8 mm cartridge.

This rifle was made in 1888. It was issued to a Guards Reserve Jaeger battalion, the 4th battalion, and was assigned to rack 209. Rifles issued to standard rifle regiments had the rear swivel at the trigger guard.

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7184spandau.jpg


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Why did I get it?

Coolness factor, first mauser repeater.

pre 1898= no paperwork

Functions with black powder.

Would kill any lower 48 game with lead bullets and BP

Equivalent to 45-70 in BP or the lighter smokeless loads

relatively easy to reload for, compared to many 19th century cartridges.

Coolness factor again= tube mag with bolt action, with mag cutoff!

The rifle was missing mag spring and follower. Got spring from Numrich, made follower on lathe at work.

followercloseup.jpg


have dies and bullets, waiting for correct brass to come back.

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:)

Take care,

Tom
 
Very nice, Tom.

That is quite a piece.

I have never heard of a tubular magazine Mauser before. I think that when one says Mauser we generally think of the 98K since that is probably more prevalent than others, correct?

Since you are planning on shooting that thing please update the thread with a range report when you have the chance.

Thanks.
 
That is great. I love shooting firearms I've also made the ammo for, but this is a coolness factor above that I think.
Really neat. I love it when people do fun things with their firearms. As you can tell, it really cheers me up.


munk
 
Now that's a rifle.

Since it's black powder and predates jacketed ammunition, there should be no problems with cast bullets. Guess what that means? You can cast your own bullets! Granted, it's an oddball bore diameter and seems to perform at its best with paper patching (which introduces another painful variable into the equation) but still...

Quick math:

7000 grains = 1 pound
Local cost of scrap lead: $0.50 per lb.
7000/385 = 18 bullets per pound with some material left over.

Three cents per bullet? Count me in. The equipment would pay for itself very quickly I think, even with heavier bullets.

Unfortunately Lee doesn't seem to make a mold for this one, but Lyman has one specifically for the .43 Mauser and RCBS has a few that would most likely work, depending on exactly what your bore slugs out to. A heavy paper wrap would probably allow .430" 44 Mag/Special bullets to work in a pinch, although they'd be a bit on the light side.
 
Neat, Tom! :D

Dave, you think .44 bullets would be on the light side?! 310 grains is the heaviest I see for .44- you sure you don't mean "on the heavy side"?

John
 
I'm in awe :thumbup: of the father of the modern Mauser. You can really see where the great Paul Mauser was going from there.

Nice work, Tom, overcoming the easy objections (hard to get ammo and parts) to secure a real piece of history. The markings alone are worth it.

SOG, I think, has/had these... great move & congrats.

edit: They DO have them- and the carbine too.

http://www.southernohiogun.com/surplusrifles.html


Mike
 
Just a quick word= beware the carbine! Not original, but cool looking...

I got this on gunbroker, from most accounts, likely better than SOG quality, but you may get a good one.

Tom
 
Thanks for te replies guys.

I DO plan to cast bullets for this, in time.

Paper patch would be original, so I hope to try that too. I am rebuilding a swiss 1889 that used patched bullets also.

In tough times, being able to use BP nd heavy lead bullets appeals to me.

The battery is now as follows

1894 30-30= light, easy ammo to get, pretty potent

Brazilian mauser 30-06= Common cartridge, tough action, but this rifle needs work to be accurate. I got a bad one at the muzzle. it is now 4" shorter!

Swiss 1889= Just because, pre paperwork, very fast action, fits me so well, quick to re load, uses the same 30 cal bullets as the 30-06, 308 etc..

The above 71/84

Ruger 10/22

Chipmunk single shot 22

Ithaca 20 gauge, with 28 and 20 inch barrels

They all have their place, so this Mauser, in addition to the history, fits the big bore category for me. They did see a lot of use in Africa with colonial troops, and sporting versions in thsi caliber were used down there also.

It wasn't cheap, but I coudn't have gotten a modern 45-70 for the price I paid, I don't think. Certainly not a trapdoor!

I will update with range results when I get the brass in, and get some loaded, in between all my other stuff that is going on, like extra engraving, coaching soccer for my kids, etc.

take care,

Tom
 
Guns in general aren't cheap anymore.

You really hit a nerve with this thread, the gun nerve that just can't be hit enough.



munk
 
I'm not sure if you order anything from Canada, but there is a fella I deal with
in Sudbury Ont. his name is Dennis, he owns a shop called the shooters den
he is a military firearms nut, i know he had lots of new and old brass for that old cannon. He ships all over, PH # 705 522-2772
 
Spectre said:
Dave, you think .44 bullets would be on the light side?! 310 grains is the heaviest I see for .44- you sure you don't mean "on the heavy side"?
Click to expand...

Heh. Never thought I'd be calling .430" bullets "light." It doesn't seem right. Relatively light would be more accurate.

Tom has me wanting one of these now. Bolt action with a tubular mag? Black powder? Lead bullets? Paper patches? What's not to like? I can see a guy spending a lot of time on load development here.
 
What a special rifle. I like the fancy stamping or was it engraved somehow?

Where is the tubular magazine?
 
The magazine is under the barrel, hidden in the wood.

The cap is just forward of the front band, and has the stacking rod sticking out from it.

Take care,

Tom
 
BTW, all the markings are stamped. I hand recut a lot of markings like those on 1911's and winchesters etc.that we restore here at work.

T.
 
Thanks Kis.

Looking forward to winter!

Hope it is colder than last year.

Too much rain!

Almost had to put a flannel shirt on tonight!

;)

Tom
 
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