Chilean Model 1895 Mauser
I was also wondering if the '1895' Mauser existed before the actual year of 1895. You'd think it wouldn't, but you never know. If that is true, then that would narrow the gun's year of manufacture to between 1895 and 1896. 4th set of 10000 would more than likely land it in the year 1896, but that's assuming the '95 Mauser's do not predate 1/1. Foreign Mauser Serial Numbers. Model 1893 Mauser rifles and Model 1895 crbines were imported into Spain from Germany and Belgium during the 1890's. Back to Spanish Mauser Home Page. Back to Foreign Mauser page.
Mauser 1895 Serial Numbers
I am conducting some research for an upcoming article and would appreciate if I could get some feedback before it is published…
My research indicates the existence of the following 10,000 block serial prefixes: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, L and M.
From the above serial prefixes there would therefore be the potential for 110,000 rifles and carbines. However, the literature only mentions the existence of contracts for 100,000 rifles and carbines. Model 1895’s were bought in 3 contracts. First contact with Loewe for 60,000 rifles and carbines in early 1895. Second Contract with Loewe, for 30,000 rifles and carbines in July of 1895. The third contract with Loewe for 10,000 rifles in September of 1895. Serial prefixes A – H are all Loewe while K – M are all DWM.
My first question would be: has anybody observed either an I or J serial prefix, or a prefix that is alphabetically higher than M?
Assuming that A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, L and M prefixes are all there was, then there is a discrepancy of 10,000 between the contracts (100,000) and actual rifles (110,000). To part answer this question the literature does mention a further contract in 1901, but this is unanimously argued as a purchase for ‘98 Model Mausers. I think this wrong. 1901 is way too early for Chile to acquire the ’98 as Chile only seems to contract for the ’98 in 1911 and the order is for 37,000 Model 1912’s made by OWG of Austria. I alternatively propose this 1901 contract was a package deal that included the ‘missing’ 10,000 Model 1895’s. I am also aware that a few Chilean Model 1895’s have a stock cartouche bearing the date of ‘1902’.
My second question would be: does anybody have any more information on the ‘missing’ 10,000 rifles, or this 1901 contract or any other contracts for Model 1895's?
And the third and last question: Are those stocks with the 1902 dated cartouche exclusive to M prefix Model 1895’s?
Your help would be appreciated.