This is an exceptional example of a rare Mauser Model 1896 Carbine with the early production cone hammer. These early cone hammer carbines are rare as so few were manufactured before Mauser changed to the large ring hammer design. This example like the other Mauser carbines were actually intended as a short rifle substitute. These early carbines are unique in that the rear, underside of the receiver is machined with an integral lug and the stock is actually machined for a full attaching iron which is integral with the pistol grip style stock. This makes the carbine easy to disassemble and store it in a small leather case for travel. This carbine is very desirable due to its extremely low serial number and early transitional features. There are only a handful of "cone hammer" carbines even documented in existence. This rare example has the early full length milled barrel rib, the early "long chamber" area which is roll-stamped on top: "WAFFENFABRIK/MAUSER/OBERNDORF A/N" in three lines and the heavier frame rails with no milling cuts, however this one has been milled flat to help reduce some of the weight but still providing some additional receiver strength. The excellent example has the short 11.75 inch length barrel and as noted with the full length barrel rib which has a standard bead front sight mounted on top of the rib, with the correct early transitional tangent rear sight graduated from "50-500" meters. The left side of he chamber area is stamped with serial number "9", with the lower flat stamped with a single "Crown/U" proof mark. The sides of the frame have the early large milled panels with no markings. The lower left side of the frame and attaching iron are both correctly serial numbered "9", with the other parts correctly being unnumbered with only a very small Mauser factory "M" proof. It has the early bolt that has the dovetailed firing pin block. The barrel and receiver have a rust blue finish. The bolt is bright. The cone hammer and lock frame have a casehardened finish. The extractor, rear sight slide, bolt stop, safety lever are heat blued. The stock and forearm are European walnut with a varnish finish. The stock has a black, checkered hard rubber buttplate embossed with a small Mauser monogram. Mauser Model 1896 Carbines were produced in very limited numbers and any example is considered very rare.

Exceptionally fine with 80% plus of the slightly faded original blue finish overall with wear and finish loss on the edges and high spots overall with blue loss on the lower rear area of the frame and stock attaching iron. The right rear edge of the frame and action studs have some very small areas of pin-prick type pitting. The stock and forend are both in very fine condition with nice dark color overall showing minor handling marks on the side mixed with some minor scratches. Mechanically excellent This is a very rare early, cone hammer carbine with very rare early features.