This is a remarkable example of a "One Of A Kind" Model 1891 cased factory presentation Argentine Mauser rifle with gold inlaid engraving that was specially presented to "Mercedes De Iriondo". This rifle has a hand polished rust blued finish with a deluxe special selection presentation grade walnut stock and hand guard with a hand engraved, 3 inch by 2 1/2 inch oval silver presentation plate with scalloped edges, fixed to the right side of the buttock. The presentation plate reads as follows; "A la noble Senora/ Mercedes Z de Iriondo/ Dedica este fusil, especialmente fabricado/ para ella, como una prueba de su/ profundo e' inalterable carino/ PabloRiccheri/ Berlin 25 Mayo 1894". A loose translation is "To a noble lady, Mercedes De Iriondo, This rifle was fabricated as a special dedication to her, as token of my deep and unalterable affection, Pablo Riccheri". Pablo Riccheri was Argentina's Minister of War from 1900 until 1910. He modernized the Argentine army and personally ordered the adoption of the 1891 Mauser as Argentina's service weapon. He is still revered today as one of the greatest figures in Argentine history and his tomb in the Ricoleta Cemetery is a national shrine. The principal highway linking Beunos Aires to the airport is named for him. During the time period this weapon is dated to, Riccheri was in Germany, acting as a purchasing agent for Argentina, and his exposure to the German military would later inspire his revisions to the Argentine Army. Mercedes Iriondo was one of the greatest women in Argentine history with a number of schools in Buenos Aires named in her honor. This presentation is from the father of the Argentine military to his esteemed friend and educator Mercedes Iriondo. It is one of the most important and artistic factory presentation Mauser rifles extant. It has no serial number as was given to Riccheri directly by Peter Paul Mauser. Nearly 100% of Argentine Mauser bayonets are ground but General Riccheri's is intact. The top of the receiver ring is beautiful engraved with the three large initials "M Z I" connected with a smaller shadow "de" in the middle of the initials (as noted on the presentation plate), that are interconnected with a beautiful, hand engraved flowing vine pattern that intertwines through the three initials. There are two additional areas of gold filled, hand engraving that are located on top exposed section of the barrel; one on the breech area of the barrel, directly in front of the receiver ring, with the second, complimentary engraved area directly behind the rear barrel band but in front of the rear sight. Both consist of finely engraved, detailed large oak leafs and acorns on parallel vines that are held together with a small gold ring at the bottom. Almost signifying the union or meeting of two people on separate paths. The Stock and hand guard as noted are a special selection, deluxe walnut that has both horizontal and vertical grain pattern that runs from the butt area to almost the entire length of the stock. Certainly a special factory selection with this type of grain figure in 1894? The rifle is fitted with standard front and rear tangent sight that is graduated from 500-2000 meters. The rifle is obviously a special selection piece in that does not have a serial number present, but does have the full Mauser factory receiver markings on the left side with full factory inspector proofs. On the rear section of the hand guard and underside of the but stock there is a larger oval inspection stamp that consist of a small asterisk over the initials "RA". In addition the various smaller parts or subassemblies of the rifle; receiver, barrel and rear sight assembly, barrel bands all have the Argentine acceptance proof of the "two-hand" shaking. The rifle is complete with an original Model 1891 that is correctly marked "MODELO ARGENTINO 1891" over the Argentine crest, with the obverse side marked "WEYERSBURG /KIRSCHBAUM & Co/ SOLINGEN". The rifle itself and bayonet and scabbard are all housed in a special presentation walnut case that measure approximately 51 x 9 inches that has a green felt interior with old, thick silver hinges and front locking clasps with double keys locks. The top of the lid also has a 1 1/2 X 4 inch, thick silver presentation plate that Is hand engraved "Mercedes Z de Iriondo". Inside the case it has a special raised section to support the rifle, the Argentine Model 1891 bayonet and scabbard, brass cleaning tools, with a special area/section to hold the complete bolt assembly, separate from the rifle. This is intended so that the bolt can lay flat in the case, because as you all remember on these 1891 model rifles the bolt handles were straight and not turned down which would have prevented the lid from closing.

Excellent with 98% of the original blue finish with some minor high spot wear from where it rubbed or sat in the presentation case, with all of the gold filled engraving intact. The interior of the rifle receiver and the complete bolt assembly still retains their original factory "in the white" finish. The various small parts also still retain 99% of their heat blued finish. The stock and handguard are both also in exceptional condition with no handling marks anywhere. The case is in very good condition with the silver plate intact on top with a nice medium brown color overall. The only area that warrants mention is that there is a slight crack that is approximately 7 inches long that is emanating from the lower left corner of the lid. The wood is intact and it has shattered and it appears that this could be easily repaired with minimal effort by a professional wood restorer. Just a beautiful example of certainly a "One of a Kind" Mauser Presentation rifle.