Yet another impossible-to-resist gun from Forgotten Weapons’ time with the Rock Island Auction Company. Try though I might I cannot seem to pass up the daily posts Ian is currently putting up on his YouTube channel, and although I tried to resist, I clearly failed. Up today is the Mauser Model 1871, also known as the Gewehr 71.

The Gewehr 71, or Infanterie-Gewehr 71,was adopted by the Germans in 1871 following trials through 1870-1871 during which the Germans tried various rifles for use by their military. It weighs just under ten pounds unloaded and measures 53.15″ long with the barrel itself being 33.66″ long. The original Gewehr 71 is chambered in 11mm and is a bolt-action single shot, the last of which proved to be a bit of a problem as the Germans realized they needed magazine-fed guns. The solution was an updated version, the 71/84, which had the addition of a tube magazine.

Apparently there was also an experimental magazine attempted on the original Gewehr 71, and Ian of Forgotten Weapons got his hands on it. While it might have been possible to pass by this post if it was “only” a Gewehr 71, which is still a cool rifle, it’s just not possible when it’s a Gewehr 71 sporting an experimental magazine. It’s not just any magazine, either – well, you’ll have to see for yourself.

Well done as usual, Ian.