A recent addition to the collection is an excellent condition, ‘all-matching numbers’, Model 1871/84 Mauser. The reason it’s in such great condition is because it appears to be unissued as it’s missing the tell-tale regimental markings that the old German rifles are renowned for. What it lacks in historical narrative, is certainly trumped by a rifle that should function as well as it would have when leaving the factory some 140 years ago.
So the question is; why the restoration? In a word… mold! While there’s absolutely no rust on the rifle and the bluing looks like it was done yesterday, I was quite surprised to check the bore on arrival and find the chamber full of mold. Almost to the point where it was totally grown over. I’ve never seen anything like it. I gave it a quick clean and oil to start with but I’ve decided that I need to be sure and do it properly. As such, I pulled the barrelled action from the stock and will begin a total disassembly and ultrasonic clean before reoiling.
The receiver on these rifles are a little ‘different to the norm’ due to the unusual cartridge lifter that takes the cartridge from the tube and lifts it up to the feeding tray (which also doubles as the lifter). There are quite a few internal parts to remove both on the outside and inside. Removing the stock also showed that the rifle is 100% matching serial numbers across the entire rifle. Even down to the small barrel band screws. The stock is also stamped with the same serial. But removing the stock also highlighted that the mold had reached the timber and under the receiver too.
While the extent of the mold underneath was nothing like the chamber, it just highlights the sheer importance of proper maintenance and storage of antique firearms. As a rule, I usually try to take a new-to-me antique rifle out of the stock when I get it to make sure there aren’t any unseen evils lurking below. This rifle has proven to be the perfect example of why that’s so important. It’s an almost mint rifle on the surface so had there been no mold in the chamber and I just assumed the rifle was perfect everywhere; that treacherous mold underneath could have gone unchecked for years… maybe even another 140!
