When I got this Model 1891 Argentine rifle, I assumed it was the unfortunately result of someone’s experimenting with chrome plating parts. All the small parts are chromed and then heavily worn, while the barrel and receiver remain blued. Frankly, I think it looks awful, but it was in the lot with the Kar98a that I really wanted – such is the nature of lots. Anyway, when I started doing some reading, I found that a number of other people have Argentine Mausers in a similar condition. While there is no documentary proof, it is widely surmised that these were chromed for use as drill or parade rifles by the Argentine Navy. This would explain their condition and why they were surplussed only in the last couple decades. It’s a great example of why you shouldn’t make assumptions about something until you are really sure…
Submachine Guns
Argentine Halcon SMG Family
We have a reprint of an article on the Argentine Halcon SMG written by Ronaldo Olive today, originally published in Gun Tests in the early 90s. These are pretty tough guns to find information on […]
Semiauto pistol
British Ballester Molina for Special Operations Executive
During World War Two, the British government contracted for about 8,000 Ballester Molina pistols from HAFDASA in Argentina. They were produced between 1942 and 1944, and are easily identified by the application of a second […]
Bolt Action Rifles
2-Gun Match: Swiss K31 (Video)
I’ve been looking forward to shooting one of the local 2-Gun Action Challenge Matches with a Swiss straight-pull rifle for a while now, and had the chance this past weekend. I was debating between using […]
Parade guns are carried a lot but never fired in anger. Expect lots of cadets to handle each one every year and nearly lose it while doing drills. I could be wrong.
Since Ludwig Lowe owned Mauser, it’s not really a subcontract.
This was a terrific celebration of this weapons. It is “archaeology” in the best sense of the word! I also really liked the comments on the nature and significance of collections! Excellent!
What you have is indeed a parade rifle if you will but from the presidential guard (a ceremonial unit like the redcoats guarding Windsor palace). When I lived in Argentina I saw a number of similar rifles but the presidential guard had gone to FAL’s similarly chromed and high luster blue finish.
Well, the soldiers guarding the english queen are “real” soldiers and the various guard regiments change regularly and are otherwise normal infantry regiments. so no, these are actual combat units. Not just for show. They are the exception though as most ceremonial units do only this.
I believe what you have is a CAI import 1891 Mauser that was sold by Jerry Prasser. I bought one from him. He said that they were used by a Military School in Argentina. He would separate the batches into Ludwig Lowe (like you have and which are Antique and can be sold without FFL) and the DWM versions which needed to be shipped to an FFL. He would have more information on it if you would like to reach out to him. I have included his web address. Thanks.
Called it! 🙂
Most of these seem to have ended up on the US commercial market. Did any of them ever fire in anger (apart from the presumed internal ‘civil actions’).
This firearm seems to be still in parade use in Argentina notably at the Memorial to the Fallen in Plaza San Martín in Buenos Aires. One of the sailors appears to have the chromed 1891 Mauser in the picture at: https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2019/2/28/classic-guns-the-1891-argentine-mauser/
FYI