Deactivated RARE Orange Free State (O.V.S.) Boer War Mauser M1896 Rifle

This is a rare Orange Free State (O.V.S.) marked Boer War Mauser M1896 rifle. Ludwig Loewe were contracted to supply the Boer's during the Second Boer War (1899 to 1902), this being one of only an estimated 13,000 known rifles, the lowest noted serial number is 401, and the highest 12,670. This rifle is just 197 higher than the current lowest known rifle being serial number 598. It is correctly stamped with the Ludwig Loewe, Berlin name and M1896 designation, confirmation that it is a Boer war contract rifle. Now this is where its gets more interesting. The rifle has the Spanish coat of arms on the receiver and was originally built as an M1893 for Spanish contract but was instead supplied to the Boers. Around 15 other examples are currently known to exist with these dual markings. The rifle has clearly seen service with the customary Boer owners intials hand carved into the woodwork. Armed with these Mauser rifles, the Boer's were excellent riflemen and tacticians routely ambushing and out smarting British forces inflicting heavy casualties on unsuspecting regiments!  A rare rifle indeed. Deactivated to current specifications with a moving bolt and trigger.