Deactivated Rare Chinese Mauser M1907 Rifle

This is a rare Chinese Mauser M1907 Rifle with charactors on the receiver and stock. The serial number 20,052 would suggest this is a fairly early rifle. The charactors on the reciever are normally the rifles designation and the stock markings often refer to the Emporer or dynasty of the period. Often forgotten, China played its role during both World Wars declaring war on the Central Powers in August 1917 and in 1937 Japan invaded China which saw some 15 million casualties. The fighting between China and Japan was brutal with both sides suffering huge military losses as well as millions of Chinese civilians killed. Chinese weapons from this period often exhibit many battle scares having suffered from extensive battlefield use and exposure to the climate.