Mauser in China: Mauser System Model 1893/95
Chinese Sailors marching in New York. Imperial Chinese Navy cruiser “Hai Chi” visited New York City in September 1911. These sailors were carrying Mauser system Model 1893/95 rifle. The Mauser Archive does not show any records of selling 1893/95 rifle to China. But China must obtain a number of such models from other sources. From Qing government archives, I am able to find several documents related to purchasing Mauser Model 1893/95. In 1900, Fujian Province signed a contract with Mandl & Co., H for 600 pieces of Chilean 1895 Mauser rifle. However the contract was not realized since China was banned from importing weapons according to the articles of Boxer Protocol. Two years later, Fujian Province renewed the contract with Mandl & Co., H for 400 pieces of Mauser 1895 rifle in 7m/m caliber, each rifles with 500 rounds of ammunition alongside fees costs 145 German Marks. Mauser Company did not make Chilean Mod.1895 which were manufactured by DWM. Another Mod...