Sultan Abdulhamid II's Mauser (Model 87)

[Hakan]

Sultan Abdulhamid II's Mauser Model 87​

Description:
This highly embellished, exquisitely detailed, and meticulously crafted carbine was undoubtedly ordered by Paul Mauser and presented to Sultan Abdulhamid II, (monogram "SA", Sultan Abdulhamid, is relief inlaid in gold on trigger guard bow) after Mauser was awarded a Turkish contract in February 1887, for 500,000 rifles and 50,000 carbines by the Sultan.

This particular unnumbered half-stocked carbine sporter has 20" octagonal barrel mounted with one standing, two folding leaf rear sight, and iron blade front, dovetailed through top flat, which is inlaid in large 7" panel in gold Germanic script "Waffenfabrik Mauser Oberndorf a/Neckar Deutsches Reich". Model 87 action with tubular feed half magazine and typical magazine cut-off on left bridge, is fitted with gold-plated, double stage single trigger. Beautifully fiddle figured European walnut stock with right hand Bavarian cheekpiece ends in steel skeleton buttplate with 2" rectangular area of wood exposed at butt. Rifle is fitted with gold-plated sling swivels, has carved horn extension to trigger guard bow forming pistol grip, schnabeled forend tip, and secondary attachment of stock to barrel of side nail through oval relief engraved silver escutcheons. Carbine is totally embellished from muzzle to butt with varied decoration of the highest order of craftsmanship, including relief carving and ivory inlay on stock, full relief engraving, multi-colored flush gold inlay, along with full relief gold inlay and highlighting of metal surfaces. Muzzle crown is relief acanthus engraved. Barrel is inlaid with 60% coverage yellow, bronze, and white colored gold acanthus filigree with floral highlights. A three colored spraying fountain is on top flat between rear sight and makers name. Action is deeply engraved in full relief large open scrolled acanthus with inlaid gold devices and highlights and has finely stippled background. A central gold flower is on left action wall. Bolt handle and bolt stop are engraved with relief floral motif, as are all screws. Trigger plate and trigger guard have matching relief acanthus, and trigger guard bow is gold inlaid with monogram "SA" (Sultan Abdulhamid II). Full relief carving of stock, around side panels, at grip, and extending over toe line to steel buttplate, is exceptionally well done large open scrolled acanthus with stippled background. Scrolled, shaded ivory inlay is at schnabeled forend tip, on side panels, and both sides of butt at about 50% coverage. Steel portions of buttplate continue the theme of gold highlighted full relief acanthus, wood portion with more inlaid ivory. Black buffalo horn trigger guard extension and pistol grip have delicate scrolls carved at rear extension, with gold-plated mounting screw having acorn shaped head installed behind grip. Quality of all work done on this carbine is of the highest order with exceptional detail.
SPECTACULAR AND RARE MAUSER MODEL 87 BOLT ACTION C - by James D. Julia

@Aeronaut You seem to like weapons so I though that I would share this with you.

 

[MilSpec]

that is B...E....A....-utiful!!!