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Here's Speeds take on the African Model.

Aware that many of their rifles were being used by various British and German colonial officials and settlers in Africa, the Mauser firm produced a special rifle which, is was hoped, would be more suitable for the conditions found in Africa. Marketed as the "Original Mauser Magazine Sporting Rifle, Special African Type", this rifle was known at the factory as the "Normal Hunting Rifle Type L". the 'L' standing for Lang (Long barrel and three-quarter stock). The first examples, offered in several calibres, were made around 1905.

Unfortunately, Mauser did not obtain enough data from hunters who actually lived and worked in Africa before coming up with their African Model, which had a barrel some 700mm(27.6") long and a stock extending more than three-quarters of the way to the muzzle: all in all, a rifle ill-suited for work in thick bush.

Stocks on African model rifles extended to almost the full length of the long 28-inch barrels, and terminated in a small schnabel which could also be made of horn. Sometimes a second schnabel was included, cut into the forend. One or two barrel bands held the stock firmly to the barrel. Grip and forend chequering were common. On some African Model rifles a military-type wooden handguard was fitted, but this is rarely seen. Stocks on early rifles had rounded pistol grips and sometimes the "flat oval" reinforcements above the triggerguard. Later rifles had flat-bottomed pistol grips with caps.

Barrels on Special African Model rifles could be round or full octagon, with rear sights fitted with one standing and one or two folding leaves. Tangent or Exprress sights were also available. Several types of horn, metal or rubber butt plates were used.

Only the three largest action sizes were used for the Special African Model. All trigger types and floorplate release mechanisims were available. The most common offerings tended to be in the larger calibres, such as 9.3x62mm and 10.75x68mm.

Mauser catalogues continued to feature this model up through the early 1930's, although a few african Model rifles were still being made as late as 1943.

The African Model was not made in large numbers, and is in fact quite rare. Many of these rifles were exported, and may be found with both British and German proofs.

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Jim

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