I have a rifle marked on the receiver Mauser Modelo Argentino 1909. Serial number is matching on the receiver, bolt, floor plate, cleaning rod, and stock. Are there any other places that have a serial number on the in this model Mauser? Except for some dings in the wood and a little darkening of the rear bolt area it looks like new and original. 1909's are VERY well-machined Mauser 98 military actions, but several others are also very good. However, one reason 1909's are very smooth is they tend to be soft, so often require heat-treating before serious use. A few decades ago, the big deal about 1909's wasn't their smoothness but their hinged floorplates.
Sword bayonet for use on the 7.65 mm. Argentine M1891 Mauser rifle.The rifle with which this example was issued was made in 1900 by Deutsche Waffen-und Munitionsfabriken (DWM).
Most have aluminum alloy grips, like this example. Some have brass grips. There has been a lot of fiction spread regarding the brass grips being for the Navy, for NCO's, and the like. None of that is true. According to Webster's well-documented book on Argentine Military Rifles:
- 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: Canadian Market Value Estimate: $ 1909 Argentine Cavalry Carbine (47 picture virtual tour) Observations: In the mid 1880’s the Argentine army was using the Remington Rolling Block Rifle, after which they switched to the Model 1891.
- 1909's are VERY well-machined Mauser 98 military actions, but several others are also very good. However, one reason 1909's are very smooth is they tend to be soft, so often require heat-treating before serious use. A few decades ago, the big deal about 1909's wasn't.
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Model 1909 Argentine Mauser Serial Numbers
The aluminum grip scales were part of an effort to lighten the bayonet. The grip metal is an alloy of aluminum, with 6 percent copper.
Argentina opted for the 15.75 inch blade, after seeing that Chile was going to adopt a shorter (10-inch blade) bayonet for their Mausers. However, the prototype bayonets turned out heavier than the Argentines liked, so they made a number of design changes (thinner blade, slimmer hilt, and others).
They went ahead with the brass grip scales, initially, so as not to further delay production. Brass-gripped bayonets were made 1892–93. Production switched to aluminum grip, mid-1893, after producing 40,000 brass grip bayonets. 190,000 aluminum grip bayonets were made, 1893–1898.
The 'RA' inside an oval is an Argentine property mark, representing Republica Argentino. This replaced the earlier 'E.N' Ejercito Nacional (National Army) property mark.
1909 Argentine Mauser Variations
Most M1891 rifles and bayonets were exported to the USA in the 1950s and 1960s, when Argentine export laws required that the national crest be ground away before being sold.