I searched for years for the identity of that cartouche. I knew that it had been unit-marked at one time, because of the issue date. Second, there was a strange cartouche on the buttstock that read: “E.N”. First, the German unit markings had been scrubbed from the tang of the buttplate, where they are customarily found on the M1871. Although I had no idea at the time, there were a couple of other unusual things about the rifle. That guy wasn't likely to have done it either. Granted, the notches could have been placed there by anybody. However, the M1871 is long, heavy, and is only a single-shot rifle. Not what a hunter would typically choose for hunting, so probably not from a hunter. The collection from which it came was very well cared for and had some very nice pieces. You deface your piece and the sergeant takes you out behind the barracks and permanently disabuses you of that notion. There were five notches cut into the comb of the stock. This was unusual, because one doesn't often see deliberate defacement of military rifles. This example was made in 1881 at the Bavarian Royal Arsenal at Amberg. It carried the royal cypher of King Ludwig II and an issue-date of 1882. I primarily bought the rifle as a shooter, however, there was one unusual thing about the rifle that was readily apparent. Many years ago, I was able to purchase a German M1871 Mauser rifle from an estate collection. The M1871 was the granddaddy of them all, the first Mauser military rifle.
0 kommentar(er)
