ALL NUMBERS MATCH BUT THE BOLT

This is an Argentine Mauser Model 1891/31 Engineer's Carbine, a variation in the 1889 series of Mauser rifles. The adoption of this model of rifle was a somewhat turbulent process that through a series of hasty decisions ultimately led to the adoption of this rifle. In the late 1880s, Argentina was looking to replace their aging fleet of 1879 Remington rolling block and 1871 Mauser 11mm rifles. Tensions in South America between Chile, Peru and Brazil had led to some anxiety by the Argentinians to modernize their military. Initially, a commission would elect to pursue 1871/84 Mauser rifle chambered in the 11mm Remington cartridge, but after a trip by Minister Jose Clemente Paz to Europe, he and the Argentine commission were swayed towards a more modern 8mm small bore smokeless cartridge. It was hurriedly decided then that the 1888 Commission rifle would be adopted. Unrenowned to the Argentine commission, the 1888 rifle was not for sale as the design was considered a national secret. The commission would then switch gears, focusing on the Belgian government's trials, which involved a Mauser, Mannlicher and Nagant design. Ultimately the Belgians would adopt the Mauser in 7.65 caliber and the Argentinians would follow suit and recommend the adoption of this Belgian 1889 Mauser. By 1890, the Argentinians would sign a contract with Ludwig Loewe for 100,000 rifles and 20,000 carbines and by 1891 these rifles would begin to arrive. Originally referred to as the Belgian 1889, it would become officially known as the Argentine 1891.

This rifle was originally manufactured in 1899 and delivered as a Cavalry Carbine. It, along with carbines from serial numbers B5000 through C5999 made by DWM shipped from Germany on September 20, 1899 on the ship "Pampa". Between 1931 and 1932, it along with 5,043 cavalry carbines would be modified to the present configuration. A bayonet lug was added for use by military engineers by the Argentine automobile maker "HAFDASA" Hispano Argentina Fábrica de Automóviles Sociedad Anonima (Argentine Automobile Factory, Incorporated). These rifles would be designed to utilize old inventories of Remington 1879 pattern bayonets. Roughly 1000 carbines would be converted each month from about August 1931 until January 1932. The 1891 carbines would see limited use up until the 1960s with the Argentine police.

These rifles would originally be ordered through Ludwig Loewe as the Mauser was tied up with other contracts, in particular the Turkish Mauser rifles, but that firm would later merge and become DWM prior to 1899 when this rifle was made. The Argentine crest applied to these rifles is quite detailed and unique... I won't try to summarize this, but rather point to the Wikipedia Article on the subject. Acceptance marks used on this gun were symbols largely pulled from this coat of arms. Imgur image descriptions in the album linked above ID some of these. As a part of the conversion to an "engineer's" carbine, the rifles had a bayonet lug mounted along with side mounted sling mounts.

As always, more info is in the imgur album linked above. I definitely glossed over a LOT of history behind these rifles and really all of the context behind the geopolitical history of South America at the time. Hands down, one of the BEST resource books I have ever come across is Collin Webster's Argentine Mauser Rifles: 1871 - 1959. It has an unbelievable amount of detail on the history of small arms in Argentina, a massive amount of background on the procurement and manufacture of these rifles, as well as details on production figures and variations in these guns. They even go so far as to say what rifles arrived on what specific ships from Europe! That book has been my main reference for the above information. Robert Ball's Mauser Military Rifles of the World 5th Ed. also has some information, but is only available in ebook format or as a used copy

Argentine M1891 Mauser - Ludwig & Loewe
YEAR RIFLE
1892 A0000 - C4999
1893 C5000 - F9999
1894 G0000 - L4999
1895 L5000 - M9999
1895 Military School BU00 - BU199
1895 Military School EM00 - EM199
1895 Military School EN00 - EN74
1896 N0000 - O9999

YEAR CARBINE Ludwig & Loewe
1893 A0000 - A4999 & B0000 - B4999
1895 A5000 - A9999

Argentine M1891 Mauser - DWM
YEAR RIFLE
1899 O5000 - T7999
1900 T8000 - V3999
1901 V4000 - W9999

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