Spanish Contract Loewe Mauser M1893 Sporter, 7x57mm

Spanish contract Mauser M1893 Rifle, 7x57mm Mauser, made by Ludwig Loewe, Berlin, circa 1894.  Sporterized, with 24″ stepped military barrel that has been nicely re-crowned. The bore has gone gray, but still has distinct rifling. Serial #751X places it somewhere early in 1894. Serialized parts are all matching, except for the bolt assembly, which has been sporter contoured and highly polished. The safety lever has been triangularized. Has a Loewe Berlin maker’s mark, assuring its antique status. Metal finish is faded to brown. Has an American Walnut sporter stock with nice grain, just a few scratches, and one very small gouge just below the receiver ring on the right side. (See photos.)  The stock has a Monte Carlo style cheekpiece, white line ebony foreend,  and white line ebony/white diamond pistol grip cap. Standard Weaver receiver scope bases have been installed.  White line buttplate is marked “Herter’s Waseca, Minn.” The stock has been drilled for stock swivels, but the stock swivels are absent. Those are easily replaceable, by any amateur gunsmith. This is a typical sporter of the 1960s, when the historic value of Spanish-American War vintage Mausers was not yet recognized by American collectors. The action is very smooth and the trigger pull is long, but crisp. (PBUH-242)