Published Boer War ZAR Model 1895 Mauser Rifle w/ Canadian Presentation

Serial #1918, 7mm Mauser, 29" barrel with a very good bore that has minor pitting within the grooves.  This is a DWM-marked rifle that was one of the second batch ordered by the Transvaal (ZAR) and delivered in 1897 (unlike the 1st batch of ZAR Mausers, the 2nd and 3rd batch rifles had no letter prefixes).  The metal retains 70-75% of the original blue finish with silvering at the muzzle and along the raised edges and projections, with the balance turned to a mellow plum-brown color, and thin freckling scattered about.  The bolt is from a 2nd batch rifle, but does not match ("7019"), and has a mostly bright gray body, with dark brown on the handle, and mottled gray – brown on the shroud.  Most of the other metal compartment parts are matching with the exception of the cleaning rod.  The stock has a matching number on the left side below the receiver ring, and has numerous minor handling marks and surface blemishes scattered about the remaining original oil finish, with an unfinished carving on the left side of the butt consisting of a large lozenge shape with narrow, parallel lines without text.  The right side of the butt has a 3 1/4" x 1 3/4" inlaid brass plaque that reads: "Capt.W.J. Reid. / from Capt. A.H. King, R.C.D. / Mauser captured from P. Joubert / Swarskoppies, S.A."  This very rifle is illustrated and discussed on pages 50 and 51 of "Carvings From The Veldt – Part Two" by Dave C. George {2008}.  In the book, Mr. George points out the difficulty in positively identifying the "P. Joubert" in question, but postulates that the man in question was almost certainly not Commandant General Piet Joubert, but rather a still unidentified burgher who shared his initials.  Regardless, there is quite a lot of information on the two Canadian officers mentioned on the plaque.  Captain A.H. King, an officer in the Royal Canadian Dragoons, was attached to the Canadian Scouts and was described by one of the troopers in the unit thusly, "My skipper, King, was a Captain in the Canadian Dragoons and a Colonel, is a sterling good fellow and a first rate soldier."  King’s prior service also included a Lieutenancy in the 1st Canadian Hussars.  W.J. Reid enlisted as a Private and was mustered into Co. E, 2nd Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles, and sailed to South Africa in January of 1902, with deployment to the Western Transvaal upon arrival.  Although they arrived in South Africa close to the end of hostilities, the regiment nevertheless fought an engagement at Brakspruit before the war ended.  Private Reid remained in the Army and is listed as having been promoted to Captain (in the 21st Alberta Hussars) in 1910, thus dating the presentation of the rifle to sometime between 1910 – 1914.  Reid served in the Great War and was later promoted to Major in the 1st Canadian Hussars.  This rifle was eventually presented as a gift to the Western University of Ontario by one of Reid’s descendants, and was eventually deaccessioned and sold following the closure of the university’s museum.  It was sold to the previous owner by noted Canadian arms firm John C. Denner Co. of Ontario.  This is an incredible piece of Anglo-Canadian and Boer War history, in fine condition, and would make a splendid addition to any collection.  Antique