This appears to be an 1871 German Mauser; converted for firing flares. It certainly appears to be an arsenal conversion. Does anyone know if this was done by the French...or the Germans?
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Two more photos: -
That is very interesting! Looks like the WW I version of the M79Comment
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Wow, that is interesting! Can we see the markings?Willi
Preußens Gloria!
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Sapere audeComment
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I bet there are not many of those floating around. Very cool find.Comment
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The rifle part is French, Berthier I believeComment
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That makes sense as the bolt assembly is certainly not a Mauser 71.Originally posted by phild View PostWilli
Preußens Gloria!
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Sapere audeComment
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Berthier - okay. I claim no expertise in rifles of that era so at first glance I thought it looked like a 71 Mauser. Regardless, I know the Germans did convert some Lebels to fire flares but the mechanism was entirely different than this example. The photos I posted below are from elsewhere and not my collection so no, sorry, I don't have anything better. Thanks for the input!Comment
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Originally posted by 120rir View Post
No worries as most of the rifles from this period look pretty much alike IMO. I am at a loss to guess the origin of the conversion. I doubt that the French did it or if they did it seems they would gave made it perhaps in the late 1930s when those rifles were being phased out.
The workmanship looks pretty good from what I can tell, but it just doesn't scream German to me!Comment
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Thanks for your input. You're right - it definitely doesn't scream German by any means and given the precision and intricacy of the conversion I'd also be willing to be it was post-war and not some kind of expedient. The German conversions of the Lebel, although no doubt effective, were exceedingly simple.Comment
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