My M71 Mauser that I recently bought, which I believe was former military and nicely sporterized a long time ago, has a set of stampings in the butt plate.
The receiver has a large "1876" and a small "1877" on the right side of the receiver toward the rear, so I believe it was made in 1876. The top of the receiver up forward, over the chamber, is stamped "CESTERR.WAFFFB.GES", which I believe means made in Austria.
The butt plate has the matching serial number of the rifle, and also "B2U2 82". See photo.
Can anyone tell me where this rifle has been?
Thanks, Dan