Rare Relics Archives - Eisel Armory

GERMAN LUFTWAFFE G.29(o) MAUSER RIFLE

admin — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 00:26:49 +0000

A scarce WWII German Luftwaffe-contract G.29(ö) Mauser manufactured by Steyr in 1939. Bearing the secret wartime factory code “660,” this matching rifle represents an uncommon early-war variation produced before Steyr transitioned to the standard K98k pattern.

The rifle commonly called the G.29(ö)—also known as the Gewehr 12/34—was manufactured in Austria by Steyr for German Luftwaffe use. Approximately 50,000 were produced between 1938 and 1939, chambered in 7.92×57mm Mauser. The “ö” signifies Österreich, the German name for Austria, while “660” was Steyr’s concealed manufacturer code. Surviving matching examples are especially desirable to military-history collectors. Forgotten Weapons Military Rifle Journal

The Secret “660” Code: A Rare 1939 Luftwaffe Mauser

This receiver belongs to a scarce WWII-era G.29(ö) Mauser, manufactured under German contract for the Luftwaffe. Its bold “660” code, 1939 date, and matching serial markings make it a fascinating piece of early-war military history.

The G.29(ö), also known as the Gewehr 12/34, was manufactured by Steyr in Austria during 1938 and 1939. Chambered in 7.92×57mm Mauser, it was primarily produced for German Luftwaffe service before Steyr shifted to the standard K98k design.

Three Eagles, One Remarkable Story: German Proof Marks Revealed

This close-up reveals the rifle’s original German military inspection and acceptance stamps. The three eagle markings provide important evidence of its Steyr manufacture and wartime Luftwaffe contract.

German military firearms were inspected throughout production. Once a component passed inspection, it received a Waffenamt acceptance mark consisting of an eagle above an inspector or facility number. Steyr rifles from this period commonly bear the WaA623 code.

Built for the Luftwaffe: The Distinctive G.29(ö) Front End

This detailed view highlights the 1939 G.29(ö)’s distinctive front assembly, including its full-length wooden handguard, barrel bands, protected front sight, bayonet mount and cleaning rod.

Manufactured by Steyr for German Luftwaffe service, the G.29(ö)—officially associated with the Gewehr 12/34 designation—combined a proven Mauser bolt action with features inherited from earlier Steyr export rifles. Production lasted only from 1938 through 1939 before Steyr adopted the standard K98k pattern.

The Eagle in the Wood: A Rare Luftwaffe Stock Mark

This close-up reveals a faint but historically important Luftwaffe acceptance cartouche stamped into the rifle’s original wooden stock, just beneath the metal bolt-disassembly disk.

G.29(ö) rifles manufactured by Steyr in 1938 and 1939 were produced primarily for German Luftwaffe service. Many authentic examples display an Eagle/L stock marking, indicating acceptance by the German Air Force. Decades of handling and service often left these wooden cartouches faint or partially worn.

Proof of Luftwaffe Service: The Eagle/L Mark Revealed

This close-up captures two important original features: the rifle’s metal bolt-disassembly disk and a deeply stamped Eagle/L Luftwaffe acceptance mark in the wooden stock.

Steyr manufactured the G.29(ö), also associated with the Gewehr 12/34 designation, for German Luftwaffe service during 1938–1939. The distinctive Eagle over “L” cartouche was applied to accepted Luftwaffe rifles and helps distinguish them from other Mauser variants.

At the Muzzle: A Rare G.29(ö) Detail Up Close

This close-up highlights the G.29(ö)’s distinctive muzzle assembly, exposed front-sight blade and full-length cleaning rod—small details that help separate this rare Luftwaffe rifle from the standard K98k.

Steyr manufactured the G.29(ö), also known as the Gewehr 12/34, primarily for German Luftwaffe service in 1938 and 1939. Its design evolved from earlier Steyr export rifles and retained several features that disappeared when production shifted to the standardized K98k.

A Soldier’s View: Down the Muzzle of a 1939 Luftwaffe Mauser

This dramatic close-up captures the muzzle, crown, front-sight blade and cleaning rod of the scarce 1939 Steyr G.29(ö)—a rifle produced under contract for Germany’s Luftwaffe.

Manufactured in Austria during 1938–1939, the G.29(ö), or Gewehr 12/34, was an early German-service Mauser variation built before Steyr transitioned to standard K98k production. Its distinctive muzzle and front-sight arrangement reflect the rifle’s earlier Steyr export-pattern ancestry.

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Rare Military History & Collectibles | Eisel Armory

admin — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 05:11:00 +0000

Portugal’s Pre-War Mauser: The M/937

Fine condition WWII Portuguese M/937 (Model 1937) Mauser rifle in 8mm Mauser (7.92 x 57) caliber that has a sharp clear Portuguese crest on the receiver ring and Oberndorf manufacturer markings on the side rail. This rifle was manufactured under contract in Third Reich Germany and was essentially a K98k with the addition of bottom band and buttstock sling swivels. Rifle is import marked on the barrel and has all matching serial numbers right down to the cleaning rod. Metal finish is nice original blue showing very little wear. Buttplate is original “in the white”. Bore is bright and excellent with strong rifling. Stock has original finish and shows some normal handling marks and dings. Right side buttstock and undersides of wrist and buttstock have sharp clear German Waffenamt cartouches. Underside of buttstock also has a matching serial number. Complete with original matching numbered cleaning rod. A nice Portuguese M/937 Mauser rifle that will make a fine addition to a collection.

In 1937, Portugal turned to Germany’s Mauser-Werke at Oberndorf for a new military rifle based on the famed Kar98k. The resulting Model 1937 (M/937) was part of Portugal’s major pre-WWII modernization program and was chambered in 7.92mm Mauser.

These early Portuguese-contract rifles are especially interesting because they preserve many features of pre-war German Mauser production while carrying distinctive Portuguese markings. Matching examples with a strong crest and attractive original stock make particularly impressive pieces of military history.

Check out this historic Portuguese Mauser and see all the photos on GunBroker!

Civil War Icon: U.S. Army-Issued Colt Model 1860

Good condition original Civil War US Army issue Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver in .44 percussion blackpowder caliber that is serial number 82xxx, which dates it to manufacture in 1862. Gun mechanically functions fine and has all matching serial numbers. The cylinder number is illegible. Various parts have government inspector letter proof marks. Three frame screws are new-made replacements. Metal has mostly brown patina. Barrel has some pitting. Bore is good with strong rifling and some pitting. Wood grip has original finish and shows some wear and handling marks. Has chips at the butt. Both sides have faint inspector cartouches. A good original Civil War US Army issue Colt 1860 Army Revolver for your collection.
Manufactured in 1862, this Colt Model 1860 Army represents one of the defining sidearms of the American Civil War. The Model 1860 was a six-shot, .44-caliber percussion revolver and became the primary handgun used by Union troops. More than 200,000 were produced between 1860 and 1873, with well over 120,000 acquired by the U.S. government.

Issued examples saw service with cavalry, infantry, artillery and other Union forces. This example’s 1862 manufacture date places it squarely in the Civil War era, when the Model 1860 was being supplied to U.S. troops in large numbers.

Explore this Civil War survivor and see the complete listing on GunBroker!
View the Colt Model 1860 Army

Old West Legend Reborn: The New Original Henry

New in box Henry Model H011C lever action rifle in .45 Colt caliber. Mechanically perfect and unfired. New metal and wood finishes and new unfired bore. 24 ½” barrel. Nice classic reproduction Civil War-Old West era Henry lever action rifle that will make a great addition to a collection, a fun shooter, and work well for a reenactor!

The Henry Model H011C “New Original Henry” is a modern tribute to Benjamin Tyler Henry’s groundbreaking 1860 lever-action rifle. The original Henry gained fame during the Civil War and helped establish the lever-action design that would later become synonymous with the American West.

Chambered in .45 Colt, the H011C pairs classic styling with modern manufacture. It features a polished hardened-brass receiver, 24.5-inch octagonal barrel, fancy American walnut stock, folding ladder rear sight, and 13-round capacity.

A beautiful modern recreation of one of America’s most legendary rifle designs—check out more items on GunBroker!

Only About 2,000 Made: The Rare Miller Conversion

Very good condition original antique Miller metallic cartridge conversion of a Civil War US Model 1861 Springfield Rifle Musket, in .58 rimfire caliber. Lock has Parkers’ Snow manufacturer markings and dated 1863. Mechanically complete and functions fine. Breech block has nice Miller’s patent markings. Metal finish is original “in the white” with some brown patina. Bore is good with strong rifling and some pitting. Stock has nice even finish and was probably light buffed. Shows some normal handling marks. Left side of stock has a repaired crack below the breech. There is a small repaired chip in front of the triggerguard. Complete with correct original ramrod. Only 2,000 Miller Conversions were produced. A nice, better than average example that will make an excellent addition to a collection!

This fascinating antique began life as a Civil War-era U.S. Model 1861 rifle-musket before being transformed by the Miller cartridge conversion system. From roughly 1865–1867, about 2,000 Model 1861 muskets were converted by the Meriden Manufacturing Company into breechloaders chambered for the .58 rimfire cartridge.

The conversion used a hinged breechblock fitted into the original barrel, allowing the old muzzleloader to accept metallic cartridges. Although the U.S. Army ultimately rejected the Miller system, records indicate that small numbers were used by New York and Maryland militia units—making surviving examples an unusual piece of the transition from Civil War muzzleloaders to cartridge rifles.

See this scarce piece of post-Civil War firearms history and check out the complete listing on GunBroker!

Not Your Typical H&R: The Model 85 “Bridger”

Very good condition Harrington & Richardson Model 85 Bridger line throwing gun. Uses .45-70 Government blanks and mechanically functions fine. Receiver case colors are worn to brown patina. 14 ¼” barrel has original blue finish showing some wear. Smooth bore is good, mostly bright, with some pitting. Stock has original finish and shows some normal handling marks. Original rubber recoil pad is present. A hard to find, unique line throwing gun that will make a fine addition to a collection.

The Harrington & Richardson Model 85 Bridger belongs to the fascinating family of line-throwing guns designed to launch a lightweight line across distances where throwing it by hand was impossible. H&R became an important producer of these specialized guns, with line throwers serving maritime, rescue and military roles. U.S. Navy line-throwing guns were used for tasks such as passing lines between ships during underway replenishment and sending rescue or towing lines.

Rather than being developed as a conventional sporting arm, the line thrower was a working rescue and utility tool—making surviving examples an unusual part of American maritime and industrial history.

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The M39 That Came Decades After WWII**

Very good condition Finnish Model 1939 Mosin Nagant Rifle in 7.62 x 54r caliber that is a rare late date example, dated 1967 on the barrel. Reference indicates these late production rifles were made for officer shooting matches. Rifle was assembled using a repurposed receiver from a Russian M1891 rifle that was manufactured by Izhevsk Arsenal in 1898, and so qualifies as an antique, no FFL required to purchase. Rifle is import marked on the barrel and has matching serial numbers on the barrel and bolt. Floorplate does not match and buttplate is unnumbered. This is common and correct for Finnish Mosin Nagant rifles. Metal finish is original blue showing some normal wear. Bore is bright and excellent with strong rifling. Stock has original finish and shows some normal handling marks. Complete with correct original cleaning rod. A hard to find 1967-dated Finn M39 Mosin Nagant Rifle with a desirable antique receiver that will make a fine addition to a collection!

The Finnish Model 1939 (M39) was Finland’s final major refinement of the Mosin-Nagant system and earned a reputation for excellent accuracy and rugged construction. While most M39s date to the WWII era, small numbers were assembled again from existing parts during the late 1960s and early 1970s, including rifles dated 1967.

That makes this example especially interesting: it carries a late 1967 date but an antique receiver, reflecting the Finnish practice of building M39s around older receivers rather than manufacturing new ones. These late-production rifles were associated with military training and precision/target shooting rather than Finland’s WWII combat production.

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The Rifle That Began the Ottoman–Mauser Era

Good condition antique Ottoman (Turkish) Model 1887 Mauser Rifle in 9.5 x 60R caliber that has Oberndorf manufacturer markings (in Arabic) on the receiver and the Sultan Tughra crest on the barrel. Rifle is NOT import marked and has matching serial numbers on the receiver, barrel, and bolt body. Other bolt parts do not match. Mechanically functions fine including working magazine cutoff. Metal has been cleaned to the white with some pitting. Bore is good and bright with strong rifling and a little pitting. Stock has been refinished and shows some handling marks. Complete with a replaced cleaning rod. 270,000 Model 1887 Mauser Rifles were delivered to the Ottoman Empire, but very few survive today due to heavy use in the Balkan conflicts and WWI. A rare Mauser model that will make a fine addition to a collection!

The Ottoman Model 1887 Mauser marked the beginning of a major relationship between the Ottoman Empire and Germany’s Mauser firm. In 1887, the Ottoman government contracted for 500,000 rifles and 50,000 carbines, making this one of the most significant early Mauser military contracts.

Based closely on the German Model 1871/84 system, the M1887 used a tubular magazine and was chambered for the 9.5×60R black-powder cartridge. Surviving examples are especially recognizable by their distinctive Ottoman inscriptions, inspection markings and the tughra of Sultan Abdülhamid II.

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America’s Krag Era: An 1894 U.S. Model 1892/96

Very good condition antique US Model 1892/96 Krag Jorgensen Rifle in .30-40 Krag caliber that is marked “U.S. / 1894. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY. 218” on the receiver. Rifle was updated from Model 1892 configuration to Model 1896 configuration. Metal finish is original blue showing some normal wear. Buttplate has some pitting. Bore is good with strong rifling and a little dark. Stock has original finish and shows some normal handling marks. Left side of wrist has a sharp clear 1896 dated “JSA” inspector cartouche. Underside of wrist has a sharp clear “circle P” cartouche and a few scratches letters. A nice antique American Krag rifle for your collection.

The Krag-Jørgensen represented a major leap forward for the U.S. military, becoming America’s first standard-issue smokeless-powder, small-bore repeating rifle. Adopted in the 1890s, its distinctive side-loading magazine made the Krag instantly recognizable and set it apart from other military rifles of the era.

This example is dated 1894, placing it among the early years of U.S. Krag production at Springfield Armory. Krag rifles would soon become closely associated with the Spanish-American War, seeing service in Cuba and other campaigns at the end of the 19th century.

Want a closer look at this early American military rifle? Click the link and check out the complete listing!

Brazil’s First Mauser Era: The Model 1894

Very good condition, as refinished antique Brazilian Model 1894 Mauser Rifle in 7mm Mauser (7 x 57) caliber that has a nice Brazilian crest on the receiver ring and Fabrique Nationale manufacturer markings on the receiver side rail. Rifle is NOT import marked and has all matching serial numbers. Metal finish is nice looking reblue showing a little normal wear. Bore is dark gray with strong rifling and some pitting. Stock has been lightly refinished and has attractive color with a few normal handling marks. Left side of stock has a matching serial number below the receiver. Complete with correct original cleaning rod. A nice example of a hard to find Brazilian FN Model 1894 Mauser Rifle with matching numbers!

Brazil adopted the Model 1894 Mauser as an early step toward modernizing its military rifles. Chambered in 7×57mm Mauser, the design was closely based on the highly influential Spanish Model 1893. Some Brazilian-contract rifles were manufactured in Belgium by Fabrique Nationale (FN) at Herstal, including examples bearing the Brazilian national crest.

These rifles became an important part of Brazil’s military history and were used during turbulent conflicts of the early Brazilian Republic. The M1894 eventually gave way to later Mauser designs, particularly the Brazilian Model 1908.

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Battlefield Survivor: The WWI German M16 Camo Helmet

Good condition original WWI Imperial German Model 1916 helmet. Shell has original period camo paint showing some normal wear, no dents. Has part of the original leather liner band present. No pads or chinstrap. Has one chinstrap bail present. Marked “Bell L 64” under the left ear for manufacture by Richard Lindenberg A.G., Remscheid-Haste in size 64. A nice original WWI German camo helmet for your collection.

Introduced during World War I, the German Model 1916 (M16) Stahlhelm replaced the traditional Pickelhaube and became one of the most recognizable helmet designs of the war. Its deep sides and extended neck guard offered soldiers greater protection from battlefield fragments.

This surviving example is especially striking with its period-style multicolor camouflage, giving it the unmistakable appearance associated with the final years of the Great War.

BIDS ARE CLIMBING ON DAY ONE! This one is getting attention fast—BID NOW before the competition heats up even more!

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