| Mauser Model 71/84 | |
|---|---|
|   Mauser Model 71/84 | |
| Type | Bolt action rifle | 
| Place of origin | German Empire | 
| Service history | |
| In service | 1884–1888 (as the standard German service rifle) 1884–1945 (limited and foreign use) | 
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Mauser | 
| Designed | 1881–1883 | 
| Manufacturer | |
| Produced | 1884–1890 | 
| No. built | 1,000,000+ [1] [2] | 
| Variants | 
 | 
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4.5 kg (9.92 lbs) | 
| Length | 1,350 mm (53 in) | 
| Barrel length | 855 mm (33.7 in) | 
| Cartridge | 
 | 
| Caliber | .43 | 
| Action | Bolt action | 
| Muzzle velocity | 1,430 ft/s (440 m/s) (11×60mmR) | 
| Maximum firing range | 1,600 m (1,749.8 yd) (maximum setting on sights) | 
| Feed system | 
 | 
| Sights | Iron sights graduated from 200 to 1,600 meters | 
The Mauser Model 71/84, adopted as the Gewehr 71/84 or Infanterie-Gewehr 71/84, or "Infantry Rifle 71/84" ("I.G.Mod.71/84" was stamped on the rifles themselves), was the second rifle model in a distinguished line designed and manufactured by Paul Mauser and Wilhelm Mauser of the Mauser company and later mass-produced at Spandau arsenal. [3]
After troop trials in 1882 and 1883, the design was updated in 1884 with an 8-round tubular magazine designed by Alfred von Kropatschek, making this the German Army's first repeating rifle (a prototype of an M1871 with a tubular magazine was displayed to Wilhelm II as early as September 1881 [4] ). This version was designated the Gewehr 1871/84, of which over a million examples were produced.
The same configuration as the standard infantry rifle, with the addition of a sling swivel at the butt. [5]
 
 Adopted by the Ottoman Empire, it differed from the M71/84 in that it had a side-mounted cleaning rod, only two barrel bands, a second locking lug on the rear of the bolt and that it was in 9.5×60mmR, [6] which Paul Mauser touted as the most efficient (black powder) cartridge. A total of 270,000 rifles and 4000 carbines were delivered before adopting the M1890. In 1911, the Ottomans looked into having their rifles converted to 7.65×53mm smokeless by the Mauser factory and Steyr, though they ultimately turned down the proposal, a few were made. [7]
In 1884, Serbia purchased 4,000 units each at the Oberndorf plant for the use of the Serbian cavalry and Artillery in their proprietary 10.15x63mmR cartridge. [8] In 1937, all remaining Model 1884 carbines were converted to the 1870s vintage 11×59mmR Gras cartridge, which was in good supply in Yugoslav Army depots after the Balkan War. [9]