The reason for counterboring is because of damaged rifling near the muzzle and this damage usually impacts accuracy greatly. This was done usually when the firearm was being arsenal refurbished. Counterboring is where the rifling has been drilled out, back from the crown of the muzzle. The only blemish I found on this particular firearm was that the barrel was counterbored back about a half an inch from the muzzle. They cannot be compared to the mass produced firearms we find today that have pressure stamped checkering, machine made laser engravings from a computer developed pattern, and fit and finish that have about as much soul as a cardboard box. Military firearms manufactured during the late 19th to early 20th century were for the most part hand made by craftsman and artisans. Not to be too melodramatic but to me it all just whispers - work of art. Everything is beautiful from the wood of the stock to the smoothness of the bolt cycling. I have one word to describe this little carbine, beautiful. No, they are not available in great abundance, but if you keep your eye out at stores and the online auctions ( and others) you will periodically find good pieces to collect.īecause of the artisan level of quality, the 1909 action is highly sought after for the base of custom built sporting rifles. While performing research for this article I was amazed at the plethora of high quality Mausers for the collector to choose from. Prior to this carbine I have not really ventured out into the world of collecting South American rifles. Note the extended bolt release lever that extends to the stripper clip guide.Įvaluating the fit and finish of this carbine I would rate it overall a very high excellent.
The 1909 Cavalry carbine is a 98 Mauser with a few variances:
Later model 1909 carbines were also manufactured in Argentina.
The Argentine Modelo 1909 Cavalry carbine pictured in this article was manufactured by the Deutsche Waffen und Munitions Fabriken, Berlin, Germany ( German Arms and Ammunition Factories, Berlin, Germany), also known as DWM, under contract for Argentina. Dubbed the Modelo (model) 1909, the new rifles and carbines were based upon the 98 Mauser rifle design and chambered in the Belgian 7.65x53 Mauser cartridge. In 1909, Argentina adopted new firearms to replace their 1891 model rifles and carbines.