Mauser in China: Telge & Schroeter and Mandl's Mod.04 contracts

Before China adopted Mod.07, various models of Mauser rifle were sold to China from 1894 to 1907. These orders usually are in very small quantities. Because of scarce original documents, I do not have a precise number. Following are the known Mod.04 contracts I've discovered. 

According to Mauser's 1929 Inventory Book, some spare parts of 7.9 Cal "Inf Gewehr Chine Mod.04" were still left in Mauser's inventory. Mauser's 1904 annual report noted 1000 Mod.04 were delivered to "uberseeische Regierunf/ China/ zu liefern", literately means colony government in China. German colony government located in a port city Qing Dao, Shang Dong province. Mr. Speed did not find correspondent record in 1904 sales book either.  From Imperial Qing record, china order several bathes of Mod.04 during 1905 to 1906. 

*The currency unit of silver in these contracts is Jin Hang Ping Silver (行平化宝银), a popular silver currency used in Tianjin for commercial purpose, which weights 36 grams per tael. I will give a conversion of contract values at the end of article. 

Chinese Mauser Mod.04 contracts

General of Suiyuancheng is Qing Government’s designated official to administrate the district of Suiyan, today Hohhot. General Yi Gu was the 78th general, occupying the post from Oct 1, 1903 to May 1, 1908. In 1904, he ordered 400 rifles with bayonets and 200 cavalry carbines of M1893 through agency Telge& Schroeter. These weapons other than 100 rifles were all rejected by Chinese Inspector due to poor quality.  The agency had to provide the General with a replacement.   

Buying M1904 in 1905

Telge& Schroeter had to settle the disputes. Finally, the settlement was achieved by signing a new contract. The agency would replace the rifles and refund the carbines. From texts of new contract, the rifles and carbines listed in the initial contract are described as 7 m/m  Model 1893 five-shot Mauser rifle and carbine. Alongside ammunition and firearms, the agency also provided Chinese 850 pairs of belt, sling, scabbard and 1700 pieces of ammo pouch which were accepted by the general.

For new rifle contract, Telge & Schroeter would provide 500 pieces of Model 1904 rifle in 7 m/m caliber. The agreement stipulated that M1904 rifles shall chamber the same cartridge as prior ordered Model 1893.

In the memorial dated December 29, 1905, General Yi Gu claimed that he worried that 600 rifles ordered from Telge & Schroeter would not fulfill the need of his troops, thus he deputed Rong Chang traveling to Tianjin to purchase more firearms.

In September, 1905 Rong Chang and the representative from Mandl & Company singed a contract in which the agency will supply 300 pieces of M1904 rifle and 500 pieces of M1893 carbines.

The contract stipulates that General of Suiyuancheng to order 300 pieces of M1904 rifle with bayonet, sling and muzzle cap, at 26.5 taels of silver apiece. And to order 500 pieces of M1893 cavalry carbine with sling, at 24.5 taels of silver apiece. The rifles and carbine must use the same cartridge bought previously from Telge & Schroeter. Mandl & Company contract total valued in 20200 taels of silver including insurance and transportation fees.

The agency and the deputy were informed that German had discontinued producing of M1893 shortly after singing the agreement. Thereby, the contract was renovated to provide 500 pieces of M1904 carbines at 26 taels of silver apiece.

In General Yi Gu’s report on April 2, 1907, he stated that Telge& Schroeter’s and Mandl & Company’s had been delivered and accepted.

Buying M1904 in 1906

In November 1906 the general sent his another deputy, Bin Yi, to Tianjin to purchase additional 400 rifles from Mandl & Company. The rifle contract was signed on January 7, 1907. The agency would supply 400 pieces of M1904 rifle in 7 m/m caliber. Accompanying each rifle with a bayonet, a scabbard, a belt, a sling, a muzzle cap, two ammo pouches and 1000 rounds of ammunition, the contract rifle is 70.5 taels of silver apiece including insurance and transportation fees.

From 1904 to 1907, General of Suiyuancheng received 100 pieces M1893 rifles, 1200 pieces of M1904 rifles and 500 pieces of M1904 cavalry carbines.

Year	Quantity	Model	Price （in taels）	Dealer
Dec 1904	100	M1893 Rifle	24.58	Telge& Schroeter
March 1905	500	M1904 Rifle		Telge& Schroeter
Aug 1905	300	M1904 Rifle	26.5	Mandl & Company
Aug 1905	500	M1904 Carbine	26	Mandl & Company
Nov 1906	400	M1904 Rifle	70.5 (ammo included)	Mandl & Company

100 taels of Chinese custom silver convert to 105 taels of Jin Xing Ping silver. In December 1903, one tael of custom silver converts to 2.77 marks in Shanghai. So the M1895 rifle would cost about 69.06 marks apiece and the ammunition costs 126.42 marks per 1000.

Exchange rate between Chinese silver and German mark fluctuates around 3 marks equal to 1 tael of silver. On average, M1904 rifle would cost around 75.71 marks apiece and a carbine would cost 74.29 marks.