Description

FULLY MATCHING INC. BAYONET!

Also known as the Portuguese Mauser, the Mauser–Vergueiro was a bolt-action rifle designed in 1904 by José Alberto Vergueiro, an infantry officer of the Portuguese Army & manufactured by Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (DWM). It was developed from the Mauser 98 rifle with the introduction of a new bolt system derived from the Gewehr 1888 & Mannlicher–Schönauer.  It originally used the 6.5×58mm Vergueiro, a cartridge developed specially for it.

The weapon replaced the Kropatschek m/1886 as the standard infantry rifle of the Portuguese Army in 1904, remaining in service until it was replaced by the Mauser 98k in 1939. In Portuguese service the weapon was officially designated Espingarda 6,5 mm m/1904 (“Rifle 6.5mm m/1904”).

A total of only 100,000 rifles were produced for Portugal. In 1915, 20,000 of these rifles were sold to South Africa, which had insufficient Lee–Enfield SMLE rifles to supply all of its troops.

In Portuguese & South African service it was used in combat in WW1 & in several colonial campaigns. The German colonial troops in East Africa also used Mauser–Vergueiro rifles captured from the allied forces in combat. The Portuguese Expeditionary Corps on the Western Front used British weapons & equipment for logistical reasons & so did not use the Vergueiro. 

In 1939, after the Portuguese Army had adopted the 7.92×57mm Mauser 98k as the M1937, many of the remaining Mauser–Vergueiro rifles were modified to chamber the new standard cartridge. This is one of these rifles. The modified rifles were called Espingarda 8 mm m/1904-39. Markings on the modified rifles remained unchanged with the exception of the caliber designation “6,5” being stamped over on some rifles with two “X” marks. This was apparently done by individual Portuguese armorers rather than as standard practice. This rifle has not had the 6.5 stamped out, which is unusual.

This example is in good overall condition as can be seen in the photos although the right front barrel band retainer spring is a little loose.

This rifle has the potential to be restored nicely so could be a good project?

The bore is good enough with visible rifling & has all visible numbers matching including the matching numbered bayonet!

This would be a great addition to any Mauser collection & a cheap service rifle shooter.

We have priced this to sell fast so don’t hesitate if you think this is for you.

We are not going to try & rate the condition out of 100 as everyone seems to have a different opinion on what the percentages should be, so we’ll let the pictures be the description. You will know if this is for you so view the photos carefully & make your decision based on what you see as they form the main description & override all written information. Ask for more if desired.

We think we have described it accurately & correctly but do not claim to be infallible so if we have got anything wrong, it is unintentional.

Whilst we check these out for serviceability, the warranty has expired & this is sold on an ‘as is’ basis. As with all used guns, we recommend you have this checked by a suitably qualified person prior to shooting.

Standard cost for shipping to metro locations is $75 & all guns are sent via StarTrack without insurance but packed very well.