Mauser in China: Mauser's First Sale to China 1880
According to Jon Speed’s work, China reached Mauser Company as early as 1975/76, but their did not put their first order until 1880. In late 1870s, Imperial Chinese army were equipped single shot breech loading rifles such as Snider, Remington Rolling block rifle. Prior to 1879 China known little about Mauser and his rifle. In early 1878, Li Hung-Chang demanded his subordinates from Tientsin Arsenal ( Pei-yang Arsenal) to acquire more rifles. Officials from Tientsin contacted Li Feng-bao, the Chinese student supervisor attached to the Embassy in London, asking his help of purchasing rifles. Li Feng-bao sent several specimens of Martini-Henry, Westly Richards. In July 1878, Li Feng-Bao was promoted to the Chinese Minister in Germany and he moved to Berlin in November. Thus he had opportunities to visit some arms manufacturers, such as Ludwig Loewe Company. Before signing Mauser’s contract, Chinese Embassy in Berlin bought Li Hung-Chang 1500 M/71 carbines from Dreyse and 441...