Boer war Mauser

[fearnaught]

Hi, not sure if this is the right place, but I want to know what fits into the circular spaces on each side? would they have been badges? Mike.

[Alex Rice]

Hi Mike
Judging by the decorations on the stock, they were done by the owner, probably from boredom while on commando service. As the Boer Republics didn't have much in the way of regular military units, only artillery, I doubt if the circle would have been for a badge. Also the circle wouldn't have fitted the profile of any of the badges they had. It's more likely that it was for a coin or something like that. Perhaps if you measure the diameter and then find out the diameters of the coinage in use at the time it could give you a clue.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Alex

[QSAMIKE]

Hello Mike......

The title has slipped my mind but there is a book out there showing the decorations that were carved into the stocks of Boer Mausers........ I wonder how many were destroyed when the British burnt captured rifles.....

Mike

[lancashirefusilier]

Originally Posted by QSAMIKE

Hello Mike......

The title has slipped my mind but there is a book out there showing the decorations that were carved into the stocks of Boer Mausers........ I wonder how many were destroyed when the British burnt captured rifles.....

Mike

Hi all
Carvings from the Veldt by Dave C George might be the one?

Try this link: http://www.boerwarcarvings.bravehost.com/


Interestingly Deneys Reitz believed that the conflict was lengthened by the discarding of Mausers in favour of British weapons;Commandos' apparently following British troops and sweeping up "dropped rounds".

Cheers

Dave

[QSAMIKE]

Hi Dave.....

Yes thats the one......

Mike

[fearnaught]

Hi, great information but I think my crap photo misled. The Boer owner was P. Erasmus. Jnr followed by a Maltese Cross, on the other side is D. Cochill. 18th Hrs and on the stock Late 11th Hrs. The battle honours are Talana,L.Smith,Laings.N, Belfast,Orange R. Colony. Thanks for all the info. Mike PS I think you're probably right about the coins.

[RobD]

The Transvaal Republic penny was identical in size to the British penny. I have not seen a whole one inlaid, but I have seen the centre with the ZAR coat of arms cut out of a penny and inlaid.