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The Portuguese Model 1904 Mauser-Vergueiro

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:27 pm
by Serenity
The Portuguese Model 1904 Model 1939 Mauser-Vergueiro rifle started out as the Portuguese Model 1904 Mauser-Vergueiro 6.5 mm rifle. It replaced the Kropatschek m/1886 as the standard infantry rifle of the Portuguese Army in 1904, remaining in service until it was replaced by the Mauser 98k in 1939. It was developed by Verguerio a Portuguese Officer. During the late 1930's Portugal adopted the Model 937-A Mauser rifle chambered in the 8mm Mauser. Portugal then converted most of the stocks of the Model 1904 rifle by shortening the barrel and fore-end, modifying the front sights, and reboring and rechambering the rifle to shoot the 7.92x57mm. The 1903/39 bolt is a true oddity to be found in a Mauser rifle as it is a Mannlicher type bolt and not a typical mauser style bolt. Some of the features of the bolt are dual-opposed forward locking lugs, a separate bolt head, and no bolt sleeve. The 1903/39 bolt is one of the most complex to disassemble and reassemble.

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:52 pm
by Serenity
Its marked with the crest of King Carlos. This emblem has an intertwined C1 under a crown.

The Portuguese and South Africans used it in the First World War and in several colonial campaigns. The German colonial troops in East Africa also used Mauser-Vergueiro rifles, captured from the allied forces in combat during the German East Africa campaign, preferring them to its proper Mauser rifles of German origin. The Portuguese troops serving with the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps on the Western Front did not use the rifle but the Lee-Enfield instead; to avoid logistical issues.

I have not had a chance to fire this yet hopefully on Sunday :D :D it looks ok on the surface little ding here and there there’s a little wear on the rifling near the breach only about a inch or so then its next to perfect

can anyone give me any more info on this rifle

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:24 pm
by joseyclosey
Nice looking rifle, let us know how it shoots.

Joe

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:50 am
by DuncaninFrance
Very nice piece there.
The Portuguese troops serving with the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps on the Western Front did not use the rifle but the Lee-Enfield instead; to avoid logistical issues.


As a bit of interest, my maternal grandfather served in the RND during the First World War and was a liason officer for the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps because he was born in Portugal and spoke the language fluently. The family had a shipping agency business in Lisbon but that is another story!

Before serving in France he had been in Gallipoli and nearly died there of dysentery. He finished the war arranging billets in Belgium.