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Mauser 1889

DistantMemories
I am requesting some help in further identifying this rifle.
I hear there this is the place to ask.

I am told it is a
rare Antique Spandau Mauser 1889.

I am NOT finding anything that looks like mine.
Nor am I finding the markings I have anywhere.

ANY help would be appreciated.
Thank YOU.
(please let me know if this pic post is enough)

http://www1.snapfish.com/hpphotocenter/slideshow/AlbumID=5856984016/PictureID=326785555016/a=144169271_144169271/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=hpphotocenter/
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    Need closeup photos of all markings and proof marks.

    All that can be ascertained from your one photo, is what appears to be a very heavily sporterized ex military rifle. If this indeed is what it is? Collector interest/demand/value, would be minimal.
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  • DistantMemories
    Ok I have them I will post..

    __________

    quote:Originally posted by rufe-snow
    Need closeup photos of all markings and proof marks.

    All that can be ascertained from your one photo, is what appears to be a very heavily sporterized ex military rifle. If this indeed is what it is? Collector interest/demand/value, would be minimal.
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  • DistantMemories
    http://www1.snapfish.com/hpphotocenter/slideshow/AlbumID=5856984016/PictureID=326775015016/a=144169271_144169271/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=hpphotocenter/


    http://www1.snapfish.com/hpphotocenter/slideshow/AlbumID=5856984016/PictureID=326775019016/a=144169271_144169271/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=hpphotocenter/


    http://www1.snapfish.com/hpphotocenter/slideshow/AlbumID=5856984016/PictureID=326783439016/a=144169271_144169271/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=hpphotocenter/



    http://www1.snapfish.com/hpphotocenter/slideshow/AlbumID=5856984016/PictureID=326785342016/a=144169271_144169271/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=hpphotocenter/


    http://www1.snapfish.com/hpphotocenter/slideshow/AlbumID=5856984016/PictureID=326783439016/a=144169271_144169271/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/COBRAND_NAME=hpphotocenter/



    I hope these will assist you in helping me further identifying my rifle.

    Thanks Again
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  • p3skyking
    It looks like a sporterized 1871 single shot Mauser, originally in 11mm.
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  • rufe-snow
    I don't know what it is? But this is what a rifle made in the German military arsenal at Spandau, in 1889, should look like. Got this photo off the net of one in original condition, compare it to yours.

    1888_Commission_Rifle.jpg
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  • p3skyking
    quote:Originally posted by rufe-snow
    I don't know what it is? But this is what a rifle made in the German military arsenal at Spandau, in 1889, should look like. Got this photo off the net of one in original condition, compare it to yours.

    1888_Commission_Rifle.jpg




    Rufe, if you blow up the original photo to 400%, you can see the tell-tale screw and washer just forward of the bolt handle. That and the Frederick Wilhelm proofs are a '71.
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  • DistantMemories
    [:0]
    OK, I appreciate all the input BUT...
    If it is at all possible can you "educate" me a bit.

    1.) what do those markings I have stand for?

    2.) what does the crown / "s" looking mark both stand for ?

    3.) how do you know / what markings tell you it is a Frederick Wilhelm proofs are a '71. ( because I can not tell year anywhere-from what I see on "others pics" they all seem to have a year except mine )

    4.) what makes a rifle "sporterized" ?

    5.) I tried like heck to figure out markings and all online but could not find any with my markings -- Do you know a site I can compare to mine BEFORE I post for sale ?. . . And actually I got the same image you posted each time I searched for what I was told it was. And never found any images of what mine looks like ( that is until you told me what you thought it was)

    6.) I am now truly confused about its $$$ value as an antique firearm

    Thanks again & I hope someone would find a little time to will help me clear up the above questions that I still have.

    Still a Lil' Lost here...
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  • p3skyking
    This is what your rifle originally looked like. The FW mark is Federick Wilhelm's proof as many of the other marks are proof marks. The IG Mod 71 is Infantry Rifle Model 71. You should be able to answer all your questions now.
    As far as value, in it's present state it has little collector value, but it does have value as a shooter if the caliber is the original 11mm.



    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=320380276
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  • Hawk Carse
    1.) what do those markings I have stand for?

    I can't decipher the Fraktur letters but (Crown)/letter is a proof mark applied after testing and inspection. There are several because the gun is tested with various loads and at various stages of completion.

    2.) what does the crown / "s" looking mark both stand for ?

    That is an interesting one. (Crown)S is the German proof mark for a shotgun. Is your barrel still rifled or is it smoothbore?

    3.) how do you know / what markings tell you it is a Frederick Wilhelm proofs are a '71. ( because I can not tell year anywhere-from what I see on "others pics" they all seem to have a year except mine )

    The (Crown)FW undoubtedly represents Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany. Might be either Wilhelm I or Wilhelm II. Wilhelm I was emperor when the action was made, Wilhelm II was emperor when the standardized proof test program was instituted.
    It is an 1871 Mauser action which is distinctive in appearance.

    4.) what makes a rifle "sporterized" ?

    A sporterized military rifle has had the military stuff removed. Things like the long stock with handguard, bayonet lug, sling and stacking swivels have been deleted and the stock restyled or replaced to serve better as a sporting rifle. Or shotgun, see #2 above. Unless done by a well known figure in the business, it nearly always reduces the resale value of the gun.

    5.) I tried like heck to figure out markings and all online but could not find any with my markings -- Do you know a site I can compare to mine BEFORE I post for sale ?. . . And actually I got the same image you posted each time I searched for what I was told it was. And never found any images of what mine looks like ( that is until you told me what you thought it was)

    I was looking at an article in the 1975 Gun Digest. Not everything you might want to know is on the internet.

    6.) I am now truly confused about its $$$ value as an antique firearm

    I won't guess a dollar value. Without knowing the caliber (or gauge) we can't tell if it is a shooter or a wall hanger. Even if it is a usable caliber, it is still a black powder gun and of limited use or interest. But that's ok. List it on the auction side and the market will tell you what it is worth.

    I didn't think to check good old ALFA, but there it is, along with a bunch of other military surplus rifles converted to shottuns. You have the deluxe conversion with checkered pistol grip stock. Cost DM25-29 depending on gauge. More for larger gauges, likely because of the additional work. A plain vanilla break action single barrel hammer gun started at DM31.
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  • rufe-snow
    There is a wood cut picture of your converted Model 1871 Mauser, "Shotgun", in the 1911 A. Frank sporting goods and military catalog.

    Since it's in this catalog being sold in various gauges from 12 to 28, the Germans must have converted and sold a bunch of them.
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