On the rear section of the hand guard and underside of the but stock there is a larger oval inspection stamp that consist of a small asterisk over the initials "RA".
1891 argentine mauser crest serial number#
The rifle is obviously a special selection piece in that does not have a serial number present, but does have the full Mauser factory receiver markings on the left side with full factory inspector proofs. Certainly a special factory selection with this type of grain figure in 1894? The rifle is fitted with standard front and rear tangent sight that is graduated from 500-2000 meters. The Stock and hand guard as noted are a special selection, deluxe walnut that has both horizontal and vertical grain pattern that runs from the butt area to almost the entire length of the stock. Almost signifying the union or meeting of two people on separate paths. Both consist of finely engraved, detailed large oak leafs and acorns on parallel vines that are held together with a small gold ring at the bottom. There are two additional areas of gold filled, hand engraving that are located on top exposed section of the barrel one on the breech area of the barrel, directly in front of the receiver ring, with the second, complimentary engraved area directly behind the rear barrel band but in front of the rear sight. The top of the receiver ring is beautiful engraved with the three large initials "M Z I" connected with a smaller shadow "de" in the middle of the initials (as noted on the presentation plate), that are interconnected with a beautiful, hand engraved flowing vine pattern that intertwines through the three initials. Nearly 100% of Argentine Mauser bayonets are ground but General Riccheri's is intact. It has no serial number as was given to Riccheri directly by Peter Paul Mauser. It is one of the most important and artistic factory presentation Mauser rifles extant. This presentation is from the father of the Argentine military to his esteemed friend and educator Mercedes Iriondo. Mercedes Iriondo was one of the greatest women in Argentine history with a number of schools in Buenos Aires named in her honor. During the time period this weapon is dated to, Riccheri was in Germany, acting as a purchasing agent for Argentina, and his exposure to the German military would later inspire his revisions to the Argentine Army. The principal highway linking Beunos Aires to the airport is named for him. He is still revered today as one of the greatest figures in Argentine history and his tomb in the Ricoleta Cemetery is a national shrine.
![1891 argentine mauser crest 1891 argentine mauser crest](https://i.imgur.com/NxuvFyR.jpg)
He modernized the Argentine army and personally ordered the adoption of the 1891 Mauser as Argentina's service weapon. Pablo Riccheri was Argentina's Minister of War from 1900 until 1910. A loose translation is "To a noble lady, Mercedes De Iriondo, This rifle was fabricated as a special dedication to her, as token of my deep and unalterable affection, Pablo Riccheri". The presentation plate reads as follows "A la noble Senora/ Mercedes Z de Iriondo/ Dedica este fusil, especialmente fabricado/ para ella, como una prueba de su/ profundo e' inalterable carino/ PabloRiccheri/ Berlin 25 Mayo 1894". This rifle has a hand polished rust blued finish with a deluxe special selection presentation grade walnut stock and hand guard with a hand engraved, 3 inch by 2 1/2 inch oval silver presentation plate with scalloped edges, fixed to the right side of the buttock. This is a remarkable example of a "One Of A Kind" Model 1891 cased factory presentation Argentine Mauser rifle with gold inlaid engraving that was specially presented to "Mercedes De Iriondo".