Gewehr 71 1879 Amberg 67771

[Rutche]

Hey guys, just picked up this 1879 Amberg Gewehr 71. The serial number is 67771, unfortunately, the bolt is mismatch to the rifle.
Anyways I thought it was an interesting rifle, that would fit into my Mauser collection.

I do have a question on two things that I'm trying to learn about the rifle, that I haven't fully grasped.
1. What is the extra date stamp next to the 1879, in this case it says 82.
2. The stock cartouche on top the wrist behind the bolt. It looks almost like an E with a Triangle.
3. The unit marking. I've seen that Chris has an 1871 with the same Regiment marking Bavarian 2nd Foot Artillery. Was it common for artillery units to be issued a long rifle like this?

Anyway, enough blabbering, here are some pictures.

 

[PrayingMantis]

Great Amberg 71! I'll add it to the reference. To answer your questions:
1) the first number, 1879, is the production year, and the second, 82, is the year it was issued.
2) to my knowledge there is no stamp or cartouche in that location, so the marking might be something left from cutting the stock. Marks like this often show up internally.
3) at least for Bavaria, yes, it was common. i also had a Bavarian Foot Artillery marked 71 (Sam now owns it): https://www.k98kforum.com/threads/gewehr-71-amberg-1883-5457.23603/

 

[Rutche]

Great Amberg 71! I'll add it to the reference. To answer your questions:
1) the first number, 1879, is the production year, and the second, 82, is the year it was issued.
2) to my knowledge there is no stamp or cartouche in that location, so the marking might be something left from cutting the stock. Marks like this often show up internally.
3) at least for Bavaria, yes, it was common. i also had a Bavarian Foot Artillery marked 71 (Sam now owns it): https://www.k98kforum.com/threads/gewehr-71-amberg-1883-5457.23603/

Thanks Cyrus, I'm going to retake the stock cartouche picture really quick and see if I can't get a better result!

 

[biggymu]

Great rifle! For those of us who don’t know, is it normal for the entire serial number to be placed even on small parts? I have not seen this before. Can’t seem to find a picture of another Amberg 71. Very cool!

 

[Rutche]

Great rifle! For those of us who don’t know, is it normal for the entire serial number to be placed even on small parts? I have not seen this before. Very cool!

Thanks! So far it looks like the whole serial number is on some small parts, some of them have 4 digits: The screws for instance, the even smaller parts have 2, but I've never seen this amount of serial numbers, on parts.

 

[heavy_mech]

3) at least for Bavaria, yes, it was common. i also had a Bavarian Foot Artillery marked 71 (Sam now owns it): https://www.k98kforum.com/threads/gewehr-71-amberg-1883-5457.23603/

I could see some issued to 'squad designated marksman' or guys on overwatch?

Oh and nice rifle btw!

 

[7up]

Nice gun and markings !!
I have one too.
Are you planning on shooting it, if so and using black powder , I would be interested in some tips as mine doesn't shoot that great with .446's ?
I used a heeled bullet from accurate mould

 

[Rutche]

I could see some issued to 'squad designated marksman' or guys on overwatch?

Oh and nice rifle btw!

Thanks! A marksman with a Mod 71 would be a sight to see for sure.

Nice gun and markings !!
I have one too.
Are you planning on shooting it, if so and using black powder , I would be interested in some tips as mine doesn't shoot that great with .446's ?
I used a heeled bullet from accurate mould

Thank you! I cant say that I've fired it or have anything yet to even attempt to fire it. I tend to not fire most of my older rifles, but i make exceptions every so often. This one is a doozy though and I've heard that its quite difficult to load for. Shooting it to see what its like is not 100% out of the question, but ill have to find some time to load for it, find the dies, and components, and take her out.

 

[7up]

Okay no problem, if you choose to, slug the bore as my groove diameter came in at .455. I went for a heeled bullet with enlarged driving band.
Still trying to get it to shoot good !

 

[Rutche]

Okay no problem, if you choose to, slug the bore as my groove diameter came in at .455. I went for a heeled bullet with enlarged driving band.
Still trying to get it to shoot good !

Sounds good, if i do start loading, I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[Spartaner545]

Was it common for artillery units to be issued a long rifle like this?

In Adition to what PrayingMantis already said, yes both M/71 rifles and S/71 bayonets can sometimes be found with artillery markings. Here is a picture of one of my S/71 bayonet from a saxon field artillery regiment.

 

[Rutche]

In Adition to what PrayingMantis already said, yes both M/71 rifles and S/71 bayonets can sometimes be found with artillery markings. Here is a picture of one of my S/71 bayonets from a saxon field artillery regiment.

Thats really neat, Funny i kept searching for more Unit marked M/71's and i kept coming across some from the same Regiment 2nd Bavarian Fuß Artillerie. Thank you for sharing the bayonet, good to know it wasn't only the Bavarians with this trend.

 

[chrisftk]

Great rifle! I generally don't let bolt mismatch deter me too much on good m71s.

Into the earlier question yes, many small parts would have the entire serial number on these. (Even the bolt screw washer)