History Primer 189: Argentine Mauser 1891 Documentary

Othais and Mae delve into the story of this classic. Complete with history, function, and live fire demonstration.
C&Rsenal presents its Primer series; covering the firearms of this historic conflict one at a time in honor of the centennial anniversary. Join us every other Tuesday!
We are a patron funded production, so please consider supporting the continuation and growth of this content at:
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Prints/patches/shirts from the show:
candrsenal.com/shop/
Ballistol USA
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Ballistol Elsewhere
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Additional reading:
Mauser Military Rifles of the World
Robert W.D. Ball
Argentine Mauser Rifles 1871-1959
Colin Webster
The Mauser Rifles of Peru
Dan Reynolds & Antonio Cuba
Deutsche Militärhilfe an Südamerika
Jürgen Schaefer
Mauser Bolt Action Rifles
Ludwig Olson
History of the Mauser Rifle in Chile
David Nielsen
Ammunition data thanks to DrakeGmbH
/ drakegmbh
Animations by Bruno!
/ @baanimations3689
Snail Mail/Contact us at:
candrsenal.com/contact/

[@chartreux1532]

I only found out about your Channel through Forgotten Weapons recently and have been binge watching the Primer Videos, especially on German Guns since i'm German and also a Historian but never focused on History of the Guns and their Inventors etc. just the Wars they were used in. So your Channel not only taught me a lot but also made me now do Research Work focusing on this! Prost & Cheers from Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps

[@larrysutton6530]

I have watched every Primer that is available and for the weapons that are covered I don't know of another channel that goes to the level that they do here.

[@cbroz7492]

Gruss Gott..spent donevtime there at the old General Walker hotel in the 70s, then again in 1994...love the place

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

Ah, then you have been missing out! Especially in the 19th century the small arms development played a major role in the evolution of strategy. The channel "paper cartridges" has several great videos about gow these two things intersect.

[@matthaft2048]

This is my favorite of all the models of Mauser. For no reason other than I think it’s aesthetically the most elegant

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

Same. The carbine was also one of my first rifles.

[@revgregory]

I still have the sporterized and scoped one my brother hunted with and one I bought in military configuration. I have to drag it out tomorrow and check it against all the details in the video.

[@TenaciousTrilobite]

Interesting wall hanger you have behind you there…

[@browntown52]

47:49 can't wait for the 1909 primer. In the white receiver, easy mag release goodness, it's like the special edition 98. Peru ones are nice too.

[@klimatiseur1027]

This is pretty much the only channel where when a new video gets out, I immediately stop whatever i'm doing to watch it! I love you guys

[@ADRay1999]

I know it will be hard to find but could you do a video on the Savage 99? Specifically the variant that was given to the Montreal Home Guard during the war

[@armedpanda1901]

I’ve seen photos of these, would love to see a c&rsenal video on them.

[@akatripclaymore.9679]

What Caliber were they chambered for,. 300 Savage?😊

[@MandoWookie]

​@@akatripclaymore.9679.303 Savage, the predecessor to the .300.

[@ADRay1999]

@@akatripclaymore.9679 No .300 savage wasn’t invented yet Instead they were chambered in .303 savage not the same as .303 British (essentially a spitzer equivalent of the .30-30 with better velocity) Originally the home guard wanted it in .303 British but because of production time they just went with .303 savage

[@itsnodawayitustabe5654]

I'd rather see that than more Nagant Revolver videos

[@lockbars5456]

This is one of my favorite looking rifles of all time. Elegant long rifle with that neat shaped external box magazine.

[@Mangowaffle]

I'm finally caught up, early Nov I started watching the primer series from ep 1. Been listening while I work, and run back to my phone to watch the visual bits, thank you all for your hard work, and thank you to the patrons of patron for making it possible!

[@tenofprime]

Awesome, I will often have a favorite episode on when I working or have a hard time sleeping.

[@johnp9402]

Ha! Same here

[@johnp9402]

​@@tenofprimethat's so funny cuz It's helped me fall asleep too

[@tylerwright6380]

OMG! Thank you so much for getting to this rifle. I picked one up a few months ago just because it was a Mauser with a box magazine, original sling (in dull green), and matching bayonet. It is a pristine later manufactured (long hand guard, magazine with screw, and steel thumb on cleaning rod - S series) rifle all matching but with the Argentine crest ground. I've been looking for good information on this rifle and was completely puzzled that you did not have a video on it. Yes, I totally agree with you about how under appreciated this rifle is in the collector market. It was not a WWI combat rifle and probably never saw action which is why a lot of folks have no interest in them. But, as you say, this is a hidden gem and I believe should become more desirable as folks learn about it. Again, thank you for your work and this video in particular.

[@pogliot338]

I'm almost sure it saw action in the Chaco War

[@tylerwright6380]

You are probably right. I was meaning large-scale European Wars that folks are really knowledgeable about. Most of the conflicts of the Americas, with the exception of the American Civil War, are relatively unknown to folks in the US. @@pogliot338

[@dutch1479]

The M91 Argy was my very first foreign surplus firearm. I stumbled across one at a local gun shop and for some reason it just grabbed my attention. Up until then I only had interest in modern guns and American WW2 guns. I went back the next day and bought it. I've been passionate about foreign surplus of all countries ever since. Mine happens to be an earlier "B" serial range with the old style extractor, shroud, cocking piece, magazine release, handguard, etc. On a side note, I'm immensely happy to see this channel expanding out to non-WW1 weapons as well. So many historical weapons that are every bit as interesting despite not seeing service in a large conflict.

[@DonMeaker]

I have one of these in my safe. Getting ammunition is a challenge, but still, a wonderful rifle.

[@nathanzylla4961]

For "the im curious" checked federal's web site. looks like in stock but spendy

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

@@nathanzylla4961 Fiocchi also makes Argentine ammo still, not cheap either but there ya go.

[@jasons8757]

when i had my argentine i shot PPU ammo in it as it was the easiest n cheapest for milsurps like 7.65 arg, 8mm mauser,8 lebel,7.5 french etc but that was also pre covid or early on. hadnt looked for it in awhile since a friend talked me out of it haha.

[@alexvisser5913]

Would love to see the 1895 chilean mauser here someday

[@wetcanoedogs]

i have one of those by way of no FFL some years ago.it was a wall hanger until last year when i did a few test shots.

[@warhawk3719]

I've decided that every new C&Rsenal video that's released I'll just play it in the background on mute so that it does get the view from me and then I can watch it again later. (Also going to start leaving comments on all videos)

[@jaredthehawk3870]

For the record, Ballistol is also excellent for cleaning armor and edged weapons. I use it to clean and protect my collection of carbon steel blade and armor collection.

[@VagueStarshape]

Have you folks gotten a new microphone for the firing demos? I would swear every shot and the ring of every spent cartridge was crystal clear. Happy to be a patron of this fine production :)

[@bruceday8464]

My first full power rifle was an 1891 Argentine Mauser, and the first rifle cartridge I reloaded for using an old Lee Loader (the one that used a mallet). It was missing the hand guard, which I didn't finally find a replacement for until just before I sold it about 15 years later. I never did find the bayonet for it. The hand guard I found on Shotgun News still had brass wire remnants on it, so I replicated that when I put the replacement on. A wired-on hand guard is one of the weirdest methods I had ever seen.

[@cheesenoodles8316]

The first of the sleek, solid...smooth Mausers top of the line for 1891.

[@jjeckerm06]

I grew up with one of these (with a somewhat crude bolt turndown) on the mantle, back when finding ammunition was next to impossible. Pop did manage to find a bayonet for it, too. Unfortunately, most of his firearms collection, including the Mauser, were sold in SC to pay bills before he passed.

[@oolooo]

2:41 Correction , our "First National Government" was on May 25th 1810 and then our """Independence""" on July 9th 1816 .

[@Ben_not_10]

43:34 OH MY GOD! I used to have an 1891 Argentine where the bolt knob snapped off the handle after about a year of ownership. I had thought it had something to do with when the receiver was scrubbed and some rifles were blow torched to color match. I ended up buying an NOS bolt handle to fix it after repeated attempts by my gunsmith to have it welded back on failed.

[@nicholasmazzarella2720]

Wow great video. I have one of these and really enjoyed the history of the rifle. Thanks for the info. I really appreciate all the hard work that goes into these videos. Keep up the great work.

[@ironhammer3734]

Great episode guys, I learned so much! This was one of my first rifles when i was a very young man. The one i had was missing the magazine when i purchased it, and i was never able to find another one 35 years ago. Though it had to be loaded one at a time, this was one of the most accurate rifles I've ever owned. The ladder sight was very precise and the action quite strong and solid. During that time, ammo became so scarce it was near impossible to find, so i ended up selling my beautiful club. 😢

[@bryansimon4072]

Always looking forward to the next episode! Thank you for persevering

[@FitnFire]

This is a great video! I wasn’t aware of this variation and love your deep dives

[@moemaster1966]

Nice I’ve been gifted a 1891 Argentine Mauser,the original own loaned it to me when I was 14 for my first deer hunt ..I have since bought a correct aluminum alloy handle bayonet….

[@donaldfischer1428]

The aluminum was for army and brass for naval.

[@1969Risky]

A great video guys, you really do keep us on our toes with digging up these classic rifles.

[@Nick_792]

I've been hoping for sooo long that you guys would cover this rifle! Thx guys! Can't wait to watch this later! Well, again, since I watched this 3 times from patreon already 😄

[@Toolness1]

These are such nice rifles, really excellent machine work, fit and finish. Really great shooters, too. I also have one of the Cavalry carbines although that one is a mixmaster with a pretty poor barrel, but my 91 rifle is pristine.

[@jonathanhudak2059]

These are as others have said, elegant beautiful rifles. I too love its lines and the way the magazine sticks out like that. Mine was missing the upper hand guard when I bought it but I have since found one. Love it! Also have a carbine too. Thanks guys it's nice to see this rifle get its proper due from you guys!

[@weltvonalex]

Awesome episode as always!

[@Lomi311]

I love getting these episodes on Spanish and Latin American firearms. There are a lot of guns that saw a lot of lesser known fighting from that part of the world. And they’re affordable!

[@kingnull2697]

For now.

[@jank330]

Thanks!

[@blanktm228]

thank you for yet another well done episode!

[@satagaming9144]

I only found out about your channel cause I bought one of these and wanted to learn more, I've been waiting for this vid since forever

[@brianfoster4434]

Yay! My T-Shirts arrived!

[@iamnolegend2519]

Thanks to you I got me some Ballastol!

[@pluma8547]

Intially was excited that you had an argentine mauser finally on teh show…..then i saw the pieper carbine in the background….im just impressed yall found one

[@timblack6422]

Yall are awesome! My favorite channel!

[@joewellman7205]

Very happy to see this episode since I too feel this rifle is underappreciated.

[@davidsachs4883]

I enjoyed this video’s animation showing the internal workings of the gun better than your earlier Mauser animations . Can’t say why however.

[@F1ghteR41]

Maybe Bruno knows his rifle better and loves it more. 😊

[@stevenwestswanson9263]

Amazing Video!

[@CyborgBirdie]

I've been waiting 4(?) years for this beauty

[@jollycooperation_sun]

I actually looked to see if you guys had made a video about the argentine like a week or two ago. Luckily for me, it's here!

[@PatrickLohKamp]

Very Rad, we got one of these, know very little about it in practice.

[@forrestcavin1802]

Keep up the excellent work yall!

[@GeneralApeGaming]

Great timing, guys! Just got back from a show and one of the first things I see is a sporterized ‘91 on a rack with sporter Krags 😭

[@browngreen933]

The 7.65x53mm Mauser round is so close to the later .308 round that it's funny. 😅

[@timothyedge6100]

The focus in the extractor weakness really (finally) hit home for me regarding the benefit to subsequent iterations. Great work, even if it isn’t a big bore American service revolver ;)

[@toastpuppy3491]

I can feel the prices rising already

[@F1ghteR41]

Teasing us with Mexican Pieper carbine, I see! I wonder if you've got the handgun variant as well, would be cool to see the internals of the original, pre-Grah M1893. 15:16 More than two times of a price difference, is it because Lee action was so costly, or were there another factors? 16:36 It was a very clever move by the Argentinians, who learned the German game and countered it. They just couldn't forsee the OEWG connection. 22:44 It's interesting to see that aluminium was already considered an alternative in about the same price range as brass. Very advanced thinking on the part of Argentinians, given that aluminium only really became affordable in the mid-1880s. 24:52 One can see it as a clever counter-balancing act against Chile. 47:08 Again, very forward-thinking move, considering that of great powers only France at that time made that decision. 58:15 It might be due to the cost.

[@gordondelacroix253]

Nice mauser but is that an 1893 pieper revolver carbine in the background ? If so well I cannot wait for the episode !

[@Pcm979]

Now I'm excited for the carbine episode!

[@patrickmessinger7040]

I just could not help but laugh at the softening where the ball meets the shaft. :D

[@davidseldow2217]

I still own an 1891 Argentine Mauser that I restored myself and based on this episode I agree with a few things; the action is smooth, the sights are a little hard to acquire, the rifle is front heavy. Yet because I reload my own ammo, I found that mine which was made in 1896 seems to prefer a long round-nosed bullet with a flat base. This is because the nominal groove diameter is .315 instead of .311 which will work in this rifle. I also found that because of the long barrel, I can zero the battle sight at 100 yards using a slower burning powder while still achieving decent accuracy with this 120+ year old workhorse.

[@oldschool4942]

I've owned several 1891 Argentine Mausers over the past 50 years. I had one with a pristine Argentine Crest but traded that one away some 40 years ago! I picked up a Sporterized 1891 Argentine Mauser at a Gun Show circa 1991. I would never cut up an Argentine Mauser, but the "Damage" had already been done by someone and quite nicely I might add! The action was bedded in a nice Bishop Custom Stock, the bolt handle was turned down, and the receiver was drilled and tapped for scope mounts. This rifle still shoots groups comparable to any of my Modern Bolt Action Rifles, with proper handloads. I would recommend. .313 or .312 diameter bullets for handloading. Regards, Mike Piekarski

[@donaldfischer1428]

I have about a dozen of these rifles. Some with the crests intact along with the bayonets. The crests were susposed to be grouned off before leaving Argentina.

[@gavinanderson8834]

Nice video👍

[@chpet1655]

Finally something I can wrap my head around. Long over due if you ask me a good episode

[@mikeblair2594]

The reason why this model of Mauser is inexpensive is because the ammunition is just not around in amounts that make it fun to shoot. There's not really any brass floating around either. You'll find a run of brass sometimes, but not often. Anyway, good episode as always. Thanx

[@kw9849]

It's really easy to make 7.65 Brass from 30-06.

[@rubenalbertochiochini8012]

El más fino de los Mausers!!!!!

[@michaelrieber4858]

Love your show, your my vote for the gundies

[@KATAKOTO69]

There's a phrase in argentina, "atar con alambre" (to tie with a wire), which means to do things in a half assed way and usually leave them like that, its interesting to see that they did that here, but its actually a good thing lol.

[@TiglathPileser3]

Excellent video. Now we need a Mae bayonet fighting video.

[@wagon9082]

Good video

[@piatpotatopeon8305]

I love this one. I've heard of Argentinian Mausers but I never knew anything about them.

[@brandondavis5249]

Finally, I have been waiting. I have a carbine that was Bubba sporterized before I got it.

[@billdauterive1180]

My t-shirts got here Thursday, and the Arisaka shirt got me a deal on a second variation type 99 on Saturday.....They've paid for thenselves already.

[@saltyroe3179]

Waiting for 1909 Argentine

[@eaglesblades]

What a pretty rifle!

[@GenerationKill001]

I have two of these wonderful rifles... Amazing accuracy.

[@tedpfenninger4972]

This is my experience also!❤

[@johnjamieson6368]

Two questions. What is the rifle above Othias's left shoulder? Were the 1891s issued with matching serial # bayonets, the way the persian mausers were? FWIW, I have a rifle and engineers carbine in the "C" # range.

[@keithplymale2374]

Anyone else see irony that Primer 189 is on the 1891 Agenttine Mauser?

[@carlcarlton764]

Ah, I love the sight of a Mauser rifle episode at dinner!

[@zaca952]

On the updated ladder if you slide the slide all the way to the top it will lock the ladder in the down position allowing for travel without sights snagging and opening, not sure if this is a feature or just a coincidence.

[@RobinRobertsesq]

Always my favorite looking Mauser.

[@PLAYINGAROUND]

With copper work hardening, maybe removal for cleaning and maintenance meant the bandssnapped more readily?

[@dariuszrutkowski420]

Can't remember if you made a kar98 vid. If not than what do you think of the Polish inter war version the kbk wz 29 mauser pattern rifle?

[@chrismyers7017]

Has this year’s round of shirts started shipping yet?

[@chevy7518]

I am curiously drawn to that revolver rifle thing on the wall behind Mae's head... what is that???

[@michaelrodriguez8356]

You guys can look up the year it was made the letter to the left of the serial number theres a website online called the firing line mine is a 1895 made with the later updates but im missing the cleaning rod and ir has an early sear without the wings but the bolt matches the barrel serial number thanks for the video

[@Jason-fm4my]

26:30 The bolt mechanism looks easy to manipulate, but delicate.

[@sorryociffer]

Cool really flea I have the infantry and “cavalry” versions.

[@Dominic1962]

I found a stock at an antique store and a barreled action that someone somehow put into a Chinese SKS stock. Put them together for a functional m91. Getting the copper wire and putting the handguard on was interesting. Going along with mine in an SKS stock, which was actually kind of ingenious and left the metal parts themselves unmolested, it seems like Argentine m91’s were the subjects for some of the absolute worst Bubba abominations I’ve ever seen, sadly enough.

[@Ben_not_10]

Great. Right after I sell mine. Othias does a video on it. 😂

[@teorias9111]

It looks like the throne from Game of Thrones

[@tekumeku2244]

My eyes kept being drawn to that Revolving Rifle under the Martini. Are we gonna get a video on that?

[@TenaciousTrilobite]

Likely, if they can get the ammo worked out

[@jacobjones5072]

Dose anyone know when the shirt from yall will ship ?

[@AbbyNormL]

My mother bought me one of these about 25 years ago at a garage sale for $10. The only issue it has is the magazine is missing. Any idea where I can get one?

[@padi5star]

I have a curiosity question - I know that KZbin compensate the authors of videos that qualify for being monetized. Does KZbin withhold any income tax from this compensation, or does KZbin send a tax form (like 1099)? What I am wondering is if any taxes are withheld or it is up to the discretion of the authors to report that income? Thanks and keep the good work up.

[@shawnnelson6146]

I was gifted a sporterized 91 Argentine, my location in wilds of Alaskas arctic, I figured if you have a rifle you should shoot it. Problem is, 7.65 mauser ammunition is as hard to find as a fruit laden banana tree above the arctic circle. Mail order brass and bullets were easy enuf. Problem was how to load it. Had guys say load it like I would a .308 WInchester. After some google research the advice given was obviously wrong. Google says my all matching # 1891 Argentine was built 12 years before the Titanic had set off on its historic trip. The very early age of metalurgical development. In the end I was told to think of it as basicly rimless .303 British In performance and develope loads accordingly. Eventually I was able to locate a couple boxes of PPU cartridges.

[@gaston01000]

MUCHAAACHOOOS!

[@VeraTR909]

These are just what I think of when I imagine a 'Mauser rifle'

[@browngreen933]

I've got a real early one sn# "A63xx" in VG original condition sans crest. Paid $60 back in the 1970s. Also have a really nice M91 cavalry carbine with original sling that I paid $86 for. These are high tech firearms for the time.

[@browngreen933]

My A63xx has the early weak extractor, no magazine lock, short handguard, brass cleaning rod, and bolt shroud with no ears, but does have the upgraded Spitzer rear sight.

[@TheCosmicGuy0111]

Woah

[@JoramTriesGaming]

Primer Day is best day

[@2011woodlands]

I think it's time to get Othais's black kepi over to the light box for a more thorough examination.

[@24kachina]

I have one - all matching, including bayonet. Gorgeous rifle. Sadly (and stupidly), I dropped it when taking it down from display rack on my garage wall. Right on the butt and it cracked the grip area of the stock. If anyone knows where to find a stock , let me know. 😢

[@jorgmohnen2849]

Cats Meow. Best bolt action ever made......by miles. Highly accurate and most unknown.

[@peteford7258]

I have one that still shoots great! Wish someone hadn't sporterized the front stock!

[@cristianpopescu78]

Very interesting! Argentina,..how many hostile neighbours had that time ?

[@MrMartinzote]

Hello, I recently acquired a model of this rifle, but a competition model, or at least a model with this bolt but with an octagonal barrel. I would like to know why I can send you photos of it in case you are interested and if you know anything about it.