Argentine Model 1909 Cavalry Carbine
(Mfg in 1910 by Deutsche Waffen und Munitions Fabriken, Berlin)

Argentine Mauser Serial Number Database By Name
1909 Argentine Mauser Serial Number Database
Argentine Mauser Serial Number Database Query
Argentine Mauser Serial Number Lookup

For Sale - 1909 Argentine (7.65 x 53) Cavalry Carbine Serial # A1497
(Click PIC to Enlarge)

The Model 1895 brought to the “Transvaal” was also known as 'Boer Model' Mauser 3 and were marked “O.V.S” (Oranje Vrij Staat) just above the serial number accompanied by MOD.MAUSER and the date of the manufacturer. Due to this, a misunderstanding occurred regarding the identification between the Model 1896 and Model 1897. I own a 1891 Mauser, manufactured by Loewe of Berlin for Argentina, Serial Number A87xx. My son also owns a 1891 Mauser by Loewe made for Argentina, Serial Number E6xxx. My question concerns how the serial number system works and can a year of manufacture be estimated from the serial number. Why the letter at the beginning of the serial number?

Caliber: ............ 7.65 x 53mm
Rifling & Twist: ....... 4 Groove, Right Hand Twist
Barrel Length: ....... 21.8 in. (556mm)
Overall Length: ...... 41.5 in. (1056mm)
Weight: ............ 7.9 lb. (3.59kg)
Magazine Capacity: ... 5 rounds (staggered column box)
Qty Mfg: ........... 43,072 total (1910-1959) .. 24,000 by DWM (1910-1911)
Source: .. Argentine Mauser Rifles 1871-1959 by Colin Webster - ISBN: 0764318683
Canadian Market Value Estimate: $
1909 Argentine Cavalry Carbine
(47 picture virtual tour)

Observations:

Argentine Mauser Serial Number Database By Name

In the mid 1880’s the Argentine army was using the Remington Rolling Block Rifle, after which they switched to the Model 1891 Mauser and finally, the Model 1909. The 1909 Argentine Mauser was manufactured under contract by DWM in Germany for the Argentine government and it was also later produced in Agentine factories. It's built on the large ring Mauser 98 style action and it was made in 4 versions, the 1909 Rifle, the 1909 sniper, 1909 Cavalry (shown here), and the 1909 Mountain Carbine, each of the last three in limited numbers. The 1909 Cavalry carbine is a 98 Mauser with a few variances:
Hinged floor plate, with a release in the front of the trigger guard;
Shorter length;
Front sight with protective ears;
Tangent rear sight;
Extended bolt release lever; and a
Full-length Mannlicher style stock.
Collector's Comments and Feedback:
1. DIFFERENT MODEL 1909 ARGENTINE CARBINES (click here)
The Military Rifle Journal (click here)
From the December issue, pages 328 - 330
BY MARION MERICLE
In the last two years many Argentine Carbines have come into the country. I will try to discuss the different versions and details about them.
The first type M-1909 Arg. carbine (cavalry) was made in Germany, for Argentina, by 'D.W.M.' on the left side of the ring, in two lines is: (1) MAUSER MODELO (2) ARGENTINA 1909 (This can be be found in 'Handbook of Military Rifle Marks' page 1 Illus. #18.) (I will call this reference (H) in the rest of the article, as usual). On the top of the receiver ring is: The Argentine Crest (H) page 91 Illus. #1.) On the right ring is the serial number. (All the German made M-1909 Carbines and rifles I have seen have a capital letter preceding the 4 digit serial number.) On the left receiver rail, in two lines, is (1) DEUTSCHE WAFFEN-UND (2) MUNITIONS FABRIKEN, BERLIN ((H) page #22 Illus. #6.)
The second type of Argentine carbine (cavalry) is one of two types made in Argentina. On the left ring, in two lines is (1) F.M.A.P. (2) MAUSER MOD. 1909 ((H) page 1, illus. #19b.) On the ring top is the Argentine crest and below the crest EJERCITO ARGENTINO. On the right ring is the serial number. (I have only had two of this type of carbine: serial #008254 which I purchased at the Sears outlet store in Covington, Ga., in 1975, and #006898 which I purchased from 'AIM' on 7-99.) On the left rail in two lines are (1) DIRECCION GENERAL DE (2) FABRICACIONES MILITARES ((H) page 1, illus. #19a.)
The third type of Argentine Carbine (Calvary) is the other type as made in Argentina. On the left ring, in two lines are: (1) EJERCITO ARGENTINO (2) MAUSER MOD. 1909 ((H) page 1, illus. #17) On the top ring is the Argentine crest. On the right ring is the serial number and on the left rail is D.G.F.M.-(F.M.A.P.). This third type has more serial numbers, in my case, than the second type. Some serial numbers on the third type that have came through my shop and collection in the past two years are: 000356, 000887, 001809, 001812, 002495, 003326, 004781 and 008250.
Now to the fourth type. This is the so called mountain or engineers carbine. All I have seen are marked made at D.W.M., just like the first type M-1909 carbines and all M-1909 long rifles. The six or so I have seen are all in the 'A' prefix serial number range. (I have never seen a German made M-1909 or M-1891 Mauser without some letter prefix.) This Carbine is not stocked to the muzzle like the first three types (cavalry.) They have the M-1909 and M-1891 bayonet adapter ( like the M-1909 long rifle), M-1909 long rifle front sight, M-1909 long rifle bottom sling swivels, M-1909 cavalry carbines short rear sight (1400meters), and short cavalry carbine type 21&1/2 inch or so barrel. (The M-1909 long rifle has a long 2000 meter rear sight and a 29 inch or so barrel.) At the same time the M-1909 mountain engineers carbines came in, M-1901 engineers mountain carbines came in, also made by 'Loewe' or 'D.W.M.' The only difference between the regular M-1891 cavalry carbines is that on the M-1891 mountain engineers carbine a two piece bayonet lug assembly was added to attach an entrenchment tool or bayonet.
Now to some details on these four types of Argentine carbines. One thing is that no picture of the M-1909 engineers-mountain carbine exists as the picture in Ball's book on page 16, middle photograph, is wrong. (The picture shows a 1912 Steyr short rifle for Chile, Colombia or Mexico.) Another thing: three types of front nosecaps exist on M-1909 cavalry carbines: (1) on my early D.W.M. carbine, serial #A0150, the nosecap has a wood screw in the front below the barrel going into the front end of the stock wood. (The other two nosecaps are solid except for the barrel hole. (They must have decided not to use the wood screw after making the first few D.W.M. type one carbines as this is the only one I have seen.) All of the other. higher serial number D.W.M. carbines I have seen have had the second (2) type nosecap (that follows.) This second (2) nosecap is in my case used on all the third type M-1909 calvary carbines I have seen. The nosecap is just like the (1) first one without the front woodscrew hole. This second (2) and the first (1) type nosecap are alike in that the barrel does not come out of the nosecap. (The bayonet fits on a sleeve that is part of the nosecap and that sticks out beyond the barrel.) (The bullet goes through the larger than bullet diameter hole in the sleeve, like a muzzle brake or flash hider.) The third (3) and final nosecap is used on the second type of M-1909 cavalry carbine only on my two examples. This nosecap is different in that it does not have the extended sleeve as on the first (1) and second (2) type nosecaps. The barrel is a little longer so it can stick through the nosecap. (In other words, the nosecap is flat, like on the Swedish 94 carbine. With the barrel sticking through the flat nosecap, the bayonet goes on the barrel.)
On the earliest type three (3) M-1909 carbines the letters are smaller on the side rail. (As on my carbine, serial #000356.
Summing up, all three type M-1909 Argentine (cavalry) carbines are alike except for the markings, barrel and front nosecap. While on the subject I have never seen a M-1909 Argentine long rifle that was made in Argentina; these were only made in Germany by D.W.M.
Some translations: The D.W.M. on the side rail means German Arms and Ammunition Factory, Berlin. D.G.F.M. means General Office of Military Production. (F.M.A.P.) means Military Factory of Small Arms. EJERCITO ARGENINO means Argentine Army.
This is all I have on this subject for now, so if any members can add to this, do so. Thanks.