instead of using a cross pin as in the M71 action, the safety and the firing pin nut were so made that the nut held the safety in place. Second, by having a coil spring around the safety stem to push the safety back, the safety also prevents possible loss of the screw and stop washer when the bolt is removed. The extractor is positioned on the top, right-hand side of the bolt head instead of on the left as in the M71 action. The trigger guard bow is made as an integral part of the trigger guard plate, and a screw through the inside bottom of the stock holds the trigger guard in the stock when the two guard screws are removed.
8. Minor changes: Other changes were made in the M71/84. A cross pin through the bolt rib prevents the bolt-stop screw from being turned out completely, which is done by making a separate sear lever pivoted on a pin at the rear of the carrier box. A coil spring, set in a hole in the sear lever, gives it tension. The sear and the trigger, fitted to the rear end of the sear lever, are held in place by pins just as in the M71. The trigger has the same double-stage pull.
In practically every other respect the M71/84 action is about the same as the M71 action. The extractor, bolt body, firing pin, mainspring, bolt head, bolt handle and bolt-stop are all similar to the Model 71. The locking system is the same, and so are the extractor camming and bolt camming features.
Minor design and construction changes were made in the 71 and 71/84 Mausers when they were in production, but these changes are of little importance and I have not thoroughly examined enough of these rifles to describe them in detail.
Takedown and Assembly
Make sure the chamber and magazine are empty. To remove the bolt proceed as follows: If the cutoff button is not in the forward position, open the bolt and pull it back to raise the carrier, then push the cutoff forward. Loosen the bolt stop screw several turns or as far as it will go without resistance. (Note: there is a cross pin through the bolt rib which prevents the complete removal of the bolt-stop screw. If it is necessary to remove this screw completely, then the cross pin must first be driven out.) Open the bolt and pull it back. Tip the rifle far over to the right, making sure the bolt-stop washer is against the head of the bolt-stop screw, then move the cutoff lever back about
Mauser 71/84
General Specifications
Type . . . . . . . . . . .Turnbolt repeater.
Receiver . . . . . . . .One-piece machined steel forging. Slotted bridge.
Bolt . . . . . . . . . . . .Two-piece with separate non-rotating bolt head. Rib on bolt body forms the only locking lug, engages in front of receiver bridge wall.
Ignition . . . . . . . . .One-piece firing pin powered by coil mainspring. Cocks on opening of the bolt.
Magazine . . . . . . . .Tubular magazine in forend. Cartridges transported from magazine to chamber by carrier (lifter).
Bolt-stop . . . . . . . .Screw and washer on the bolt body stop bolt as the washer contacts groove on receiver bridge.
Trigger . . . . . . . . . .Non-adjustable, two-stage military type.
Safety . . . . . . . . . .Swinging wing-type built into cocking piece. Locks striker and bolt when swung right.
Extractor . . . . . . . .One-piece spring type fitted into bolt head.
Magazine cutoff . .Lever type disengages carrier when pushed forward.
Ejector . . . . . . . . . .Sliding type fitted to bolt.
To disassemble the bolt: Lift up the rear end of the ejector and remove it from the bolt. Turn the bolt head one-quarter turn in either direction and pull it from the bolt body. The extractor can then be lifted from the bolt head. Now, rest the firing pin tip on the workbench, and while pressing down on the safety with the thumb of the hand grasping the bolt, unscrew the firing pin nut.
After the nut is removed, the firing pin and mainspring can be removed from the bolt and the safety removed from the cocking piece. Reassemble in reverse order.
To remove the barrel and action from the stock: Remove the small screw from the left side of the muzzle barrel band and drive out the cross-key to the left. Slide the muzzle band off the barrel. Also, remove the other barrel band or bands. Pull out the magazine tube about 1”. Turn out the front and rear trigger guard screws; the barrel and action can now be lifted from the stock. Turn out the center guard screw and the trigger guard can be removed. Reassemble in reverse order.
Top view of the M71/84 Mauser action.
To disassemble the rest of the action, first turn out the cutoff spring screw and remove the cutoff spring. Lift out the cutoff. Turn out the carrier pin lock screw and lift out the carrier pin. Remove the carrier and carrier cam from the bottom of the action. Drive out the sear holder pin to remove the sear and trigger assembly. Reassemble in reverse order.
M71 and 71/84 Markings
Both the M71 and M71/84 Mauser rifles are easily identified by the stampings on the left side of the receiver. I G Mod. 71 is stamped on the 71 and I G Mod. 71/84 on the M71/84. The name of the manufacturer, such a Spandau, Amberg, et al, is usually stamped on the top flat of the breech end of the barrel on both models, along with a crown. The date (year) of manufacture is usually stamped on the right wall of the receiver bridge. Both models are serial numbered, with the numbers stamped on the receiver ring, breech end of the barrel and bolt, with the last two digits of that number stamped on most of the other parts.
Various German proofmarks are stamped on the barrel, receiver and bolt, as well as various inspector’s marks. A small number “11” stamped over the chamber indicates caliber 11mm.
Comments
The first Mauser rifle I ever owned was a Model 71/84, and with it came several boxes of fresh commercial ammunition. It was a carbine, in excellent condition, with a very nice light colored walnut stock. At that time I lived a long way from any boar hunting, but I often swung and snapped that rifle at a picture of a charging wild boar in my room. I fired that carbine a number of times at targets and enjoyed shooting it despite its heavy recoil. I don’t recall what became of it; I probably swapped it off for something more suited to my hunting needs.
Most likely many more M71s were made than were M71/84s, but both have been quite common in the U.S. since the turn of the century. After WWII a great many more were imported and sold; as late as 1967 one firm still offered M71/84s in very good condition for less than $15.
11 mm Mauser Cartridge
The 11.15x60R (.43”) Mauser cartridge, also designed by the Mauser brothers, was introduced with their M71 rifle in 1871. A rimmed and bottlenecked
