Mauser Model 1904 Vergueiro Rifle : Portuguese Army

Mauser Model 1904 Vergueiro bolt action rifle. Blued steel receiver marked on the left side ESPINGARDA PORTUGUEZA 6.5 MOD. 1904. DEUTSCHE WAFFEN-UND MUNITIONSFABRIKEN BERLIN and the breech ring has a crown over CI (King Carlos I of Portugal). The polished bolt handle seats ahead of the receiver bridge, like that of the Mannlicher, rather than behind as in most Mausers. The Vergueiro has a separate bolt head although the trigger mechanism, bolt stop and ejector are of Mauser Model 98 type. This weapon has no bolt sleeve and the safety lever is attached to the cocking piece. It has a one piece stock with a half length top handguard held together by a central sling swivel band. Complete with a cleaning rod and a leather sling that has a brass adjuster buckle.

The Mauser Vergueiro rifle is unique to Portugal. Designed by a Portuguese army officer, all the rifles were made by DWM and were of a high quality finish. The bolt had a number of built in safety features but was not easy to load when cocked from the shoulder due to the bolt arm being too far forward. This rifle was donated by the Portuguese Government in July 1920. The Portuguese Army fought in East Africa against the Germans during the First World War.