This is an excellent example of an early production Mauser Model 1896 flatside, large ring hammer carbine. These early carbines were actually intended as a substitute for short rifles, just like the early Luger carbines. It are very unique in that the rear underside of the receiver is machined with a large lug designed to fit into a detachable walnut shoulder stock that is fitted with the matching attaching iron integral with the stock. This makes the carbine easy to disassemble and store in a small leather travel case. This carbine is very desirable due to its low serial number and early transitional features, such as the early long chamber area which is roll-stamped in three lines: "WAFFENFABRIK/MAUSER/OBERNDORF A/N", heavier frame rails with no milling cuts, long extractor and dovetailed firing pin retainer. The example has a short 11 3/4 inch length barrel and is fitted with a ramp front sight base and an early Mauser factory globe front side with the small pin-head bead which is partially broken off inside the globe. It is fitted with the correct early transitional tangent rear sight that is marked: 50-500 meters. The left side of the chamber is stamped "4776.99" with a two small crown proofs followed by the Austro-Hungarian "Double Headed Eagle/4" final inspection proof from the proofhouse in Prague. It is stamped with serial number "152" on the lower left side of the frame and attaching iron. As noted, this carbine has the earlier flatside frame. The barrel and receiver have a rust blue finish. The bolt is bright. The large ring hammer and lock frame have a casehardened finish. The extractor, rear sight slide, bolt stop, safety lever, trigger and stock mounting attachment are heat blued. The stock and forearm are European walnut with a light varnished 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 highly desirable!

Very fine with 80% plus of the original blue finish overall, edge and high spot wear, and some scattered very minor fine specking on the side of the frame. The attaching stock iron and some of the other smaller parts have been professionally refinished nitre blue and now show 98% of the lustrous blue colors. The stock and forend retain 98% of their light varnish with only a few minor handling marks on the side. The buttplate is chipped at toe. This is a fine looking, very early Mauser carbine with matching numbers.