Mauser Model 1871/84

• Name — Mauser Model 71/84 • Origin — German Empire • Type — Bolt action rifle • Is Ranged — yes • Service — 1884–1888 (as the standard German service rifle) 1884–1945 (limited and foreign use) • Designer — Mauser • Design Date — 1881–1883 • Production Date — 1884–1890 • Number — 1,000,000+ • Weight — 4.5 kg (9.92 lbs) • Caliber —.43 • Action — Bolt action • Velocity — (11×60mmR) • Max Range — 1600 m (maximum setting on sights) • Feed — 8-round tube magazine • Sights — Iron sights graduated from 200 to 1,600 meters

After troop trials in 1882 and 1883, the design was updated in 1884 with an 8-round tubular magazine designed by Alfred von Kropatschek, making this the German Army's first repeating rifle (a prototype of an M1871 with a tubular magazine was displayed to Wilhelm II as early as September 1881). This version was designated the Gewehr 1871/84, of which over a million examples were produced.

The same configuration as the standard infantry rifle, with the addition of a sling swivel at the butt. • Illustration — M71/84 Jäger rifles

Adopted by the Ottoman Empire, it differed from the M71/84 in that it had a side-mounted cleaning rod, only two barrel bands, a second locking lug on the rear of the bolt and that it was in 9.5×60mmR, which Paul Mauser touted as the most efficient (black powder) cartridge. A total of 270,000 rifles and 4000 carbines were delivered before adopting the M1890. In 1911, the Ottomans looked into having their rifles converted to 7.65×53mm smokeless by the Mauser factory and Steyr, though they ultimately turned down the proposal, a few were made.

In 1884, Serbia purchased 4,000 units each at the Oberndorf plant for the use of the Serbian cavalry and Artillery in their proprietary 10.15x63mmR cartridge. In 1937, all remaining Model 1884 carbines were converted to the 1870s vintage 11×59mmR Gras cartridge, which was in good supply in Yugoslav Army depots after the Balkan War.

• Ecuador • Canada: Quebec Home Guard use (rifles marked Q.H.G.) • German Empire • Nazi Germany • Ottoman Empire: M1887 • Kingdom of Serbia: Carbines • Thailand • Venezuela

• Illustration — Action and Magazine Cutaway • Illustration — Experimental Carbine • Illustration — German Soldiers test fire M71/84 • Illustration — Ottoman M1887 Rifles in WW1 • Illustration — Top view of Gewehr 1888 and M71/84 • Illustration — Ottoman Police armed with M1887 rifles in the after math of the shootout with Hekimoglu