Gold Inlaid Presentation Model 1891 Argentinian Mauser,From Rock Island AuctionsThis is a remarkable

Gold Inlaid Presentation Model 1891 Argentinian Mauser,From Rock Island AuctionsThis is a remarkable example of a “One Of A Kind” Model 1891 cased factory presentation Argentine Mauser rifle with gold inlaid engraving that was specially presented to “Mercedes De Iriondo”. This rifle has a hand polished rust blued finish with a deluxe special selection presentation grade walnut stock and hand guard with a hand engraved, 3 inch by 2 ½ inch oval silver presentation plate with scalloped edges, fixed to the right side of the buttock. The presentation plate reads as follows; “A la noble Senora/ Mercedes Z de Iriondo/ Dedica este fusil, especialmente fabricado/ para ella, como una prueba de su/ profundo e’ inalterable carino/ PabloRiccheri/ Berlin 25 Mayo 1894”. A loose translation is “To a noble lady, Mercedes De Iriondo, This rifle was fabricated as a special dedication to her, as token of my deep and unalterable affection, Pablo Riccheri”. Pablo Riccheri was Argentina’s Minister of War from 1900 until 1910. He modernized the Argentine army and personally ordered the adoption of the 1891 Mauser as Argentina’s service weapon. He is still revered today as one of the greatest figures in Argentine history and his tomb in the Ricoleta Cemetery is a national shrine. The principal highway linking Beunos Aires to the airport is named for him. During the time period this weapon is dated to, Riccheri was in Germany, acting as a purchasing agent for Argentina, and his exposure to the German military would later inspire his revisions to the Argentine Army. Mercedes Iriondo was one of the greatest women in Argentine history with a number of schools in Buenos Aires named in her honor. This presentation is from the father of the Argentine military to his esteemed friend and educator Mercedes Iriondo. It is one of the most important and artistic factory presentation Mauser rifles extant. -- source link

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