This is a beautiful example of an extremely rare pre-war Mauser Einheitsgewehr (universal) target rifle as manufactured circa 1930. This is a new made "Mauser Banner" target rifle, not reworked WWI rifle, manufactured on special order for the Pro-Nazi Tyrolean Austrian shooting clubs. It is chambered for the 8.15 X 46R, standard military/schuetzen target rifle cartridge used from 1900-1945. These rifles were used in both military/international 300 meter rifle matches (akin to our National Matches) as well as off-hand Schuetzen matches as either a repeater or single shot; hence the name "einheitsgewehr". Some were even given away as top shooting prizes by the Nazis at military/special shooting events. It is estimated that only 20-30 of these rifles are even known or documented in the U.S. today. The top of the receiver ring is marked with a large "Austrian/Nazi Eagle clutching a Swastika/ T.S.T.V./20078 with the left side stamped with the pre-war Commercial "Crown over B, G and U" proofs and commercial "Eagle/N" firing proof. The side wall is marked: "MAUSER-WERKE A.G. OBERNDORF A.N." and the rear bridge is stamped with the "Mauser Banner" logo. The rear of the barrel is stamped: "20078/8.15 X 46R". Affixed to the underside of stock are two rare original, paper labels that indicate this rifle was inspected/approved for the rifle matches, held "2-16 Jan" in the "Tirol-Vorarlberg" area of Austria. The top label measures: 1 3/4 X 1 3/4 inches, that depicts the same large "Austrian/Nazi Eagle", as the receiver, with the edge marked: "LandesSchiess/2-16 Jan 19". The other label is 3 inches in diameter and is marked: "STANDSCHUETZENVERBAND TIROL-VORARLBERG" with "LANDESHAUPTSCHIESSSTAND" (at the bottom). The center is marked "V/30" which may indicate 1930. The barrel is 29 inches long, that is fitted with a standard front sight and a special military style "300 Meter" rear sight calibrated for the "8.15 x 46R" cartridge. The sight face is marked, "100, 175 and 300" meters for the Military/International matches. The rear sight is also fully adjustable for windage, with the adjustment knob marked "1, 2, 3, 4 and 5". It has the early pre-war all milled components such as the early original K98-style Mauser turned down bolt and cocking assembly with the early milled trigger guard/floorplate, which has the small lock screws. The rifle has a high polished Mauser blue finish with a Gewehr length European walnut stock and handguard set. The stock is fitted with the early prewar "H" pattern front barrel band and the narrow WWI Gewehr style lower barrel band, along with a smooth flat buttplate. The stock has deep finger grooves on the sides and is fitted with a single stock bolt.

Excellent with 98% of the original high polish, pre-war blue finish overall with just a hint of edge wear on the front sight base and the bolt body from cycling the rifle. The stock and handguard are both in very fine condition with their original matching honey-colored light brown finish showing minor marks and scratches on the sides from handling over the years. There is a professionally repaired duffle bag cut under the lower band and the stock still retains the original matching front end piece of the stock. This rifle has all original matching numbers on the various parts to include the stock and handguard. The original paper match labels on the underside of the stock are 98% intact with only minor edge loss, with clear readable markings. These intact labels are very rare as most were all removed by the veterans years ago, so to find them sill attached is extremely rare. The bore on this rifle is in like new condition with deep sharp rifling, probably never having been fired. A superb all original and like new pre-war "Mauser Banner Einheitsgewehr" target rifle. Certainly for the advance Mauser rifle collector!