MichaelWC
Senior Member
Hello everyone, I just wanted to share a little snippet of a section of my book that I am working on. This section is about seventy five percent done. I still need to do a little more research. I did ask another forum member for some help with the photo. If you see if you see anything that I need to change we're correct, please let me know.
M/1871 rifle or I.G. Mob: 71.
Officially adopted by Prussia on February 14 1872. The M/1871 rifle was also adopted by the other german states, making the M/1871 the standard rfile of the throughout the German Empire. Although the kingdom of Bavaria would adopt the rifle in 1877, making the standardization of the rifle complete throughout the empire. The M/1871 did make its way to the colonies and other overseas territories.
It wasn't widely used as much as the M/1871 Jägerbüchse. It was not the standard rifle of Schutztruppe, Landespolizei and Polizeitruppe. The rifle may have been deemed too long. Over time the rifle was eventually replaced by other firearms more suitable to the african environment. The M/1871 rifle was used in German SouthWest Africa and Togo. By the time World War I broke out. It was mainly used by guards and reservists being called up throughout the two colonies.
M/1871 details:
Receiver left: I. (or J.) Mod. 71.
Verified makers: AMBERG, C.G.H. (C.G.Haenel), DANZIG, ERFURT, G&B (Greenwood & Batley)*, GEBR. MAUSER & CO., OBERNDORF, N.A.&A.CO.LTD. (National Arms and Ammunition Co,)**. OESTERR. WAFFEFB. GES. = OESTERREISCHISCHES WAFFENFABRIK-GESELLSCHAFT, SOEMMERDA (Dreyse), SPANDAU, Sp.&Sr. (Spangenburg & Sauer)
Overall length: 134cm/52.90"
Barrel length: 83cm/33.56"
Weight: 4.581 kg/10.1lbs
Straight bolt
Single-shot
No ejector
Caliber 11x60R
Distinguishing characteristics:
Early, all brass; later standard production, iron/steel with brass trigger guard; during WWI some had brass trigger guards salvaged and replaced by blackened iron.
Bayonet stud on nosecap right
The only known M/1871 to be used in the German African Colonies.
M/1871 in the German African colonies.
German SouthWest Africa Schutztruppen:
From 1884 to 1889 the M/1871 was commonly seen and carried by Truppe Des Reichs-Kommissars. Although originally the unit was equipped with Kar.71 and Bowie knife. By 1890 both the M/1871 and carbines were replaced by M/71-84. In 1894 more Schutztruppen reinforcements made there way to the colony. These reinforcements carry the Gew.88 and K.88. With these new weapons being brought into the colony. The M/1871 would be used by second line units or guards and that's where it would stay until the summer of 1914.
German SouthWest Africa Polizei and Landespolizei:
From 1889 to early 1905 Police duties performed by Schutztruppe and Local police authorities. When Schutztruppe troopers were on their police duties, they may have been given on weapon from the local police station or department. Or carried their own issued weapon. There is one documented M/1871 that was used in this early Police role.
On March 1st 1907 the Imperial state police (Kaiserlichen Landespolizei) was formed. Weapons of the Landespolizei and equipment were delivered from the official Schutztruppe stocks. The Landespolizei had a large variety of rifles and carbines to choose from. If the M/1871 was carried at all and not in storage.
The rifle may have been carried by the African police auxiliaries or Polizeidiener. The most important reason for using african police men was their role in the supervision of the indigenous population and maintaining order. According to regulations the Polizeidiener cannot be issued to firearm. Exceptions were made for special purposes, for example, being armed with an M79 Reichsrevolver or rifle while transporting prisoners.
View attachment 428082
Rifle is marked ORTSPolizeibehörde Windhoek 2166.
Togo Polizeitruppe:
In 1888 the newly hired recruits received the M/1871 rifle which replaced the Kar.71 because the carbine lacket a bayonet log. The M/1871 would serve alongside with the M/1871 Jägerbüchse in the colony unit 1912. On March 31 1912 the Imperial Colonial Office decided to replace all older firearms with the modern Kar.98a short rifle. Sometime in April of 1913.
The Imperial colonial office wanted an firearm inventory from all of the Imperial German colonies. This 1913 inventory has no mention or record of the M/1871 rifle being used in Togo. However there is a mention of the rifle being used in the decree containing the clothing, equipment and weaponry of the Polizeitruppe, Local police, border cards and chieftain police by Togo Governor Herzog Adolf Friedrich.
Photos by 7up
Sources:
Mauser Military Rifles of the World fifth edition. By Robert W. D. Ball
German Colonial Uniforms website
By Chris Dale
German Schutztruppe in East Africa 1889-1911 by Colonial Ernest Nigmann and translated from German by Robert E. Dohrenwend
Imperial German Colonial Troops & Police in Africa by Reinhard Schneider and translated by Chris Dale
The German Colonial Troops History, Uniforms and Equipment from 1889 to 1918 by Dr. Jürgen Kraus, Dr. phil. Thomas Müller
German Military Rifles
From the Werder Rifle to the M/71.84 Rifle
By Dr. Dieter Storz
RESEARCH PROJECT - Mod. 71 and Mod. 71/84 Inspired by Craig Brown
M/1871 rifle or I.G. Mob: 71.
Officially adopted by Prussia on February 14 1872. The M/1871 rifle was also adopted by the other german states, making the M/1871 the standard rfile of the throughout the German Empire. Although the kingdom of Bavaria would adopt the rifle in 1877, making the standardization of the rifle complete throughout the empire. The M/1871 did make its way to the colonies and other overseas territories.
It wasn't widely used as much as the M/1871 Jägerbüchse. It was not the standard rifle of Schutztruppe, Landespolizei and Polizeitruppe. The rifle may have been deemed too long. Over time the rifle was eventually replaced by other firearms more suitable to the african environment. The M/1871 rifle was used in German SouthWest Africa and Togo. By the time World War I broke out. It was mainly used by guards and reservists being called up throughout the two colonies.
M/1871 details:
Receiver left: I. (or J.) Mod. 71.
Verified makers: AMBERG, C.G.H. (C.G.Haenel), DANZIG, ERFURT, G&B (Greenwood & Batley)*, GEBR. MAUSER & CO., OBERNDORF, N.A.&A.CO.LTD. (National Arms and Ammunition Co,)**. OESTERR. WAFFEFB. GES. = OESTERREISCHISCHES WAFFENFABRIK-GESELLSCHAFT, SOEMMERDA (Dreyse), SPANDAU, Sp.&Sr. (Spangenburg & Sauer)
Overall length: 134cm/52.90"
Barrel length: 83cm/33.56"
Weight: 4.581 kg/10.1lbs
Straight bolt
Single-shot
No ejector
Caliber 11x60R
Distinguishing characteristics:
Early, all brass; later standard production, iron/steel with brass trigger guard; during WWI some had brass trigger guards salvaged and replaced by blackened iron.
Bayonet stud on nosecap right
The only known M/1871 to be used in the German African Colonies.
M/1871 in the German African colonies.
German SouthWest Africa Schutztruppen:
From 1884 to 1889 the M/1871 was commonly seen and carried by Truppe Des Reichs-Kommissars. Although originally the unit was equipped with Kar.71 and Bowie knife. By 1890 both the M/1871 and carbines were replaced by M/71-84. In 1894 more Schutztruppen reinforcements made there way to the colony. These reinforcements carry the Gew.88 and K.88. With these new weapons being brought into the colony. The M/1871 would be used by second line units or guards and that's where it would stay until the summer of 1914.
German SouthWest Africa Polizei and Landespolizei:
From 1889 to early 1905 Police duties performed by Schutztruppe and Local police authorities. When Schutztruppe troopers were on their police duties, they may have been given on weapon from the local police station or department. Or carried their own issued weapon. There is one documented M/1871 that was used in this early Police role.
On March 1st 1907 the Imperial state police (Kaiserlichen Landespolizei) was formed. Weapons of the Landespolizei and equipment were delivered from the official Schutztruppe stocks. The Landespolizei had a large variety of rifles and carbines to choose from. If the M/1871 was carried at all and not in storage.
The rifle may have been carried by the African police auxiliaries or Polizeidiener. The most important reason for using african police men was their role in the supervision of the indigenous population and maintaining order. According to regulations the Polizeidiener cannot be issued to firearm. Exceptions were made for special purposes, for example, being armed with an M79 Reichsrevolver or rifle while transporting prisoners.
View attachment 428082
Rifle is marked ORTSPolizeibehörde Windhoek 2166.
Togo Polizeitruppe:
In 1888 the newly hired recruits received the M/1871 rifle which replaced the Kar.71 because the carbine lacket a bayonet log. The M/1871 would serve alongside with the M/1871 Jägerbüchse in the colony unit 1912. On March 31 1912 the Imperial Colonial Office decided to replace all older firearms with the modern Kar.98a short rifle. Sometime in April of 1913.
The Imperial colonial office wanted an firearm inventory from all of the Imperial German colonies. This 1913 inventory has no mention or record of the M/1871 rifle being used in Togo. However there is a mention of the rifle being used in the decree containing the clothing, equipment and weaponry of the Polizeitruppe, Local police, border cards and chieftain police by Togo Governor Herzog Adolf Friedrich.
Photos by 7up
Sources:
Mauser Military Rifles of the World fifth edition. By Robert W. D. Ball
German Colonial Uniforms website
By Chris Dale
German Schutztruppe in East Africa 1889-1911 by Colonial Ernest Nigmann and translated from German by Robert E. Dohrenwend
Imperial German Colonial Troops & Police in Africa by Reinhard Schneider and translated by Chris Dale
The German Colonial Troops History, Uniforms and Equipment from 1889 to 1918 by Dr. Jürgen Kraus, Dr. phil. Thomas Müller
German Military Rifles
From the Werder Rifle to the M/71.84 Rifle
By Dr. Dieter Storz
RESEARCH PROJECT - Mod. 71 and Mod. 71/84 Inspired by Craig Brown
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