An Interesting Model 1871 Mauser
By Anton Polz
One year ago a friend of mine (who buys and sells excellent firearms, makes stocks for the Heckler & Koch semiautomatic rifles and a bullpup version of the SL 7) called me and told me that he had some interesting Mausers in stock. I was too late for a mint Tank Gewehr but early enough for an Infantrie Gewehr 71 (IG71). He had some difficulties in identifying the manufacturer, but after a close look at the markings, I immediately took out my check book and bought it.
This was only the second IG71 from National Arms & Ammunition I have ever seen and this is in really excellent condition (98% blue and an excellent stock).
The two main differences between the English and German rifles are first the blued barrel and secondly the markings.
The breach end of the barrel the is marked:
Left side:
Serial number "4410" over "F"; above this a crown over "F.W", but in a very simple font, not like the German font. Two English marks, looking like a crossed hammer and pickaxe under a crown. I think these are English acceptance marks. Between both of them "09". Behind those markings a stamp I can not identify (flame or flag?) Caliber marking "11".
Top:
Behind the rear sight a small "9". Manufacturer's logo, a triangle with NA&A Co. Ltd. inside.
Right side:
Crown over an Gothic "H" (German Inspector’s mark).
The receiver has the following markings:
Left side:
Serial number "4410" over "F". At the rear, "I.G. Mod: 71." in Gothic letters. English acceptance mark. Below this mark an unreadable letter and ".W" over "47".
Right side:
Small crown in the front. At the rear, the year of manufacture "1875".
Rear end:
"S.W" over "59".
The bolt is marked:
Bolt head:
Serial no. "4410" over "F"
"S.W" over "42"
Bolt guide rib left:
Serial no. "4410" over English acceptance mark (under bolt handle)
Bolt guide rib right:
Unknown sign over "S.W" over "30" (under bolt handle)
Firing pin:
"S.W" over "35" and "4410" over "F"
Cocking piece:
Left side serial no.
Striker head:
Serial no.
Markings on the stock butt:
Upper side:
"S.W" over "23"
Unit marking: "X" over "G.B.I" over "4.234", which means 10th Army corps, 1st Garrison Bataillon, 4th company, weapon no. 234.
This was a war reserve unit, stationed in Altona, which is today a part of Hamburg
The stock is marked on the right side with a crown over "FW" and a crown over "H" on the right side. All letters are in a Gothic style. On the left side is the serial no.
The trigger guard is marked with "S.W" over "24". The bands and the fore-end are marked with the serial no. "4410", the fore-end with "F".
No screws except the bolt screw are marked ("10"), but all the screws are original.
There are a lot of markings looking like leafs, brezels, or Viking boats, whose meanings I am unaware of. I assume these are the usual markings applied to a rifle during manufacture in England, because similar markings are found on my SMLE MK. III. The only thing I’m quite sure about is that S.W are the initials of an inspector at NA&A.
The interesting question is how many of these rifles were made by National Arms & Ammunition in Birmingham. Secondary sources, like Hans Dieter Götz’ book – Die deutschen Militärgewehre und Maschinenpistolen 1871-1945 – says that the Prussian Ministry of War ordered 75,000 pieces. John Walter wrote in his book - The German Rifle – about an order of 75,000 rifles in mid 1876. The markings on my rifle disprove this. The serial no. 4410F says that this rifle was in the 60,000 range and this rifle was made in 1875. I’m searching primary sources at the moment, but in my opinion the order must have been placed at the latest in 1872.
Another point I can add is that NA&A added suffixes to the serial no. I know of a IG71 with the serial no. 3255B. Mauser also used this numbering scheme.
I will update this article when I find additional documentation about this contract. I would be interested in any additional information anyone has on these rifles,