M1871 Mauser with character

[enfieldguy]

I have a problem. I see rough milsurps, I bring them home. Such was this thrashed M1871 Mauser made in 1878 I found over the weekend. Its been around the block, to put it mildly. However, other than missing the bolt head and extractor, its complete, also all matching. Rust and super old and hardened cosmolene is making for a slow disassembly. But the really interesting thing is the carvings on the wood. Along with the 'AP', there are no less than 16 notches cut into the underside of the butt.
If they could talk. Its gonna be fun getting this one cleaned up.

 

[bulletpaluza]

That's awesome and pretty much one of only 3 models of mauser I would ever own

 

[pavogrande]

It is a mite rough -- but 71's saw more service than the 71/84 -
My 71 is probably 80% while my 71/84 is close to 95 % --
Good 71's bring a bit more as there as less of them available.
You will enjoy putting a slug down range -