Serial numbered "7" and manufactured at an unknown date, this rifle is an intriguing experimental variant of the 1890s Mauser bolt action rifle. An immediate precursor to the world famous Gewehr 1898, the 1890s vintage Mausers were go-to military long arms in Europe and points further abroad, and a rousing success on the export market. The work in this example is attributed to Louis Schlegelmilch, a lead armorer at Spandau, circa 1896 for German Army (GPK) Small Bore Trials of 1896-98, and further attributed as formerly being of the collection of one of Paul Mauser's nephews, Alfons Mauser (1872-1927), son of Paul Mauser's brother Wilhelm. Many novel alterations are present on this example, including significant changes in receiver configuration, barrel installation and manual of arms. Most prominent of the changes is to the receiver, which is a significant departure from preceding and succeeding Mauser designs, eschewing the traditional cylindrical form for a more flat, rectangular profile. In sharp contrast to the 98, there is no front receiver ring; the barrel is not threaded to the receiver, but is instead dovetailed on the bottom, slid sideways into the receiver, secured with a pin driven through the bottom, and further supported by a steel cradle integrated into the buttstock. Additionally, the bolt is guided by a pair of rails on the sides that engaged with a near-full length dust cover/cocking piece, which serves similar to a carrier for the main bolt body, which still features the traditional pair of locking lugs in the front, and a pop-up steel block in the rear of the receiver in lieu of the locking system. Loading is performed via a clip guide, manufactured as a separate piece and secured to the trigger group, which doubles as the bolt catch; the traditional ejector/bolt catch has been deleted, with a spring-loaded central ejector installed in the back of the magazine housing. A single piece magazine/trigger guard is used, with the usual bolts deleted in favor of a steel hook in the front and a flip switch in the back that engages a post in the receiver. The upper handguard is a near complete cylinder, slitted on the underside to pass around the front sight during disassembly. In total, this Mauser variant has a tool-free field strip, a simplified and lighter receiver, and a simplified means of barrel replacement. Aside from the areas cut or filled to accommodate the new parts, the stock is fairly typical, unnumbered, with a smooth flat buttplate.

Very fine, with 90% plus arsenal refurbished blue finish, showing some minor spotting and handling marks overall. The stock is in equal condition, with some minor scratches. Mechanically excellent.