tag:www.thedonovan.com,2012://1/tag:www.thedonovan.com,2003://1.470- 2012-01-06T19:00:52Z Comments for Boer Mauser We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 Movable Type 4.12 tag:www.thedonovan.com,2003://1.470 2003-11-14T13:28:47Z 2006-11-11T16:52:19Z Boer Mauser Kim du Toit dropped in yesterday (electronically, not in person) to check out the bar where my Boer Mauser hangs. Since he was not surprisingly interested in it, I thought I'd post a few more pictures that ya'll can take a gander at. This is a M1896 Mauser made by Ludwig Loewe in Berlin. Many of these rifles never made it to the Orang Vrije Staat (Orange Free State) because the war started before they were shipped. Most (or many) of those rifles were eventually re-sold to Chile. Not this one. He made it to the fight. Unfortunately (from a... The Armorer http://www.thedonovan.com Kim du Toit dropped in yesterday (electronically, not in person) to check out the bar where my Boer Mauser hangs. Since he was not surprisingly interested in it, I thought I'd post a few more pictures that ya'll can take a gander at. This is a M1896 Mauser made by Ludwig Loewe in Berlin. Many of these rifles never made it to the Orang Vrije Staat (Orange Free State) because the war started before they were shipped. Most (or many) of those rifles were eventually re-sold to Chile.

Not this one. He made it to the fight. Unfortunately (from a Boer perspective), the only reason we know that is because he was captured.



That's because the bridge of his receiver is marked S.A.T. 515. South African Trophy, #515, a New Zealand Army property mark. This rifle was brought to the US a few years ago - and being an antique, it didn't have to have an import stamp.

Here's a close-up of his receiver.

He has a straight bolt, though these rifles can be found with both bent and straight. He's also in the wrong stock (which is not unusual). He's in I believe an M1895 Spanish stock which is thicker than the original. Anyone have a spare M1896 stock, I'm interested. Chilean ones work too - though I would prefer one without cartouches, as I am reluctant to remove markings like that!

If you are a real geek, you can see in the pic that the stock is wider than the upper hand-guard. The rifle is also missing the slider on the range ladder, so I'm hunting one of those, too.

This is one reason I got into collecting. Regardless of what you think about the cause in which this rifle was usedn (or a Nazi rifle, or a Confederate rifle, or a commie weapon), you can get a real sense of connection to history (at least I can) by seeing, handling, caring for, and shooting these old guys.

Anyway Kim, this one's for you!


]]> tag:www.thedonovan.com,2003://1.470-comment:438 Comment from Kim du Toit on 2003-11-14 Kim du Toit http://www.kimdutoit.com Aaaaaargh! My sources back in S. Africa tell me that a genuine Boer Mauser can fetch well in excess of $2,000 over there -- not Rands, $US -- and I want one in memory of my great-great granddad, who fought against the British in 1881 AND 1899. Let me know. 2003-11-15T05:58:30Z 2003-11-15T05:58:30Z