Mauser Model 71/84

Mauser Werke · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1884

Also known as: Gewehr 71/84, Mauser Model 1871/84, M71/84, Infanteriegewehr Modell 1871/84, Gew 71/84

Overview

The Mauser Model 71/84 (Gewehr 71/84) was a German bolt-action repeating rifle and the first repeater adopted as standard issue by the Imperial German Army. It improved on the single-shot Model 1871 by adding an under-barrel tubular magazine holding eight rounds of the 11x60mmR Mauser black-powder cartridge, fed by a Kropatschek-style mechanism. It served as Germany's principal service rifle until superseded by the smokeless-powder Gewehr 88.

Specifications

Weight (empty)4500 g (158.7 oz)
Overall Length1350 mm (53.15")
Barrel Length855 mm (33.66")
Action TypeBolt Action
Firing MechanismInternal Hammer
Trigger TypeSingle Stage
Magazine Capacity8 rounds
Magazine TypeTubular
Muzzle Velocity440 m/s (1444 fps)
Muzzle Energy2280 J (1682 ft·lbf)
Effective Range600 m (656 yd)
Maximum Range1600 m (1750 yd)
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Number of Grooves4
Frame MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialWood
FinishBlued

Calibers

Features

Variants

Base model

Mauser-M1871

Service history

Operators

Conflicts

Production

Estimated total produced: 1,000,000 · Production years: 1884-1887

Approximately one million produced, primarily at the Spandau arsenal and other German contractors before being replaced by the Gewehr 88

Origin

Country of origin: Germany

Designer: Paul Mauser

Discontinued: 1887

Notes

Designed by Paul Mauser as an evolution of the Model 1871, it retained the proven Mauser turn-bolt action while adding the tube magazine. A magazine cutoff allowed single loading while keeping the tube in reserve. Many were later relegated to reserve, naval, and colonial use after the Gewehr 88 entered service.

Background

The 71/84 was Germany's first standard-issue magazine repeater, briefly giving the Imperial Army a firepower edge before the rapid arrival of smokeless powder made its black-powder cartridge obsolete almost as soon as it was fielded.