Need Information on this single shot big bore......

[JKO HUNTING SAFARIS]

Hello fellow hunters,

The other night I attended a "braai" in South Africa hosted by a friend that is busy arranging our annual meat hunting trip for the year. Because I am a professional hunter the talks of dangerous game hunting is always a part of the discussion....

Then one of the older gentleman that will be joining us this year brought out a rifle I have never seen before. It is called a Danzig. There is NO mention to what calibre it could be or when it was made... Apparently his great grand father used this rifle to cull / hunt elephant and other dangerous game in Rhodesia and other African Countries.

What is strange is that when the bolt is open it is 90 degrees straight up?

Here with the pictures, I apologize that some of them might not be the best of quality.... Lighting was not great and it was rather late in the evening.... lol

I am looking forward to the discussion and finding out more about this piece of history!

All my best,

Jacques Spamer

 

[Reid]

There's some information on Internet : https://www.ima-usa.com/products/or...nzig-arsenal-dated-1896?variant=6201199558694

 

[DG870]

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2016/4/7/i-have-this-old-gun-mauser-model-187184/

Here is an article about the Mauser 1871/84 11mm rifle. I think this is the same rifle as pictured in the original post. Quite a historical piece. It could really tell lots of stories. Very nice.

 

[JKO HUNTING SAFARIS]

Thank you guys! Reading this I do not really see this being used on elephant as it is a little slow so penetration would have been a problem in my eyes.... What would your thoughts be? Just another campfire story?

 

[Nhoro]

What a cool find. Looking at the specs, it would be similar to a 45-70 in ballistics-similar diameter but slightly lighter bullet with a higher powder charge but I would say they are in the same ballpark. 45-70 has taken the big 5 pretty easily even though it is not legal now in most countries. I would also say that these rounds came out just after the 4 and 8 bore era and to be honest they are probably more humane and efficient killers than those old beasts, even if they may seem anemic by today's standards.

 

[JKO HUNTING SAFARIS]

What a cool find. Looking at the specs, it would be similar to a 45-70 in ballistics-similar diameter but slightly lighter bullet with a higher powder charge but I would say they are in the same ballpark. 45-70 has taken the big 5 pretty easily even though it is not legal now in most countries. I would also say that these rounds came out just after the 4 and 8 bore era and to be honest they are probably more humane and efficient killers than those old beasts, even if they may seem anemic by today's standards.

Definitely very cool gun and I am now going to try and find some brass for it so we can reload some ammo and shoot it! I appreciate your insight on the ballistics. I have hunted dangerous game with a 45-70 myself and it is efficient if you are close enough.

If I am correct, this specific rifle was manufactured in 1877 if I look at the date stamped onto the receiver action.

 

[HWL]

This is a Mauser M71 single shot bolt action rifle in 11mm Mauser aka. .43Mauser, aka 11,15x60R.

German service rifle from 1871 to 1884.

You are right, it was made in Danzig Arsenal in 1877.

This is not a Mauser M71/84 repeating rifle, introduced in 1884.

I made a new stock for my M71 and converted it into a sporting rifle....

https://www.africahunting.com/media/mauser-m71-rifle.63385/

This is the Mauser M71/84.

https://www.africahunting.com/media/mauser-m71-84-in-11-15x60r-rifle.79977/


HWL