Mauser 98 Magnum Dagga Boys, a one-of-a-kind rifle
Mauser's latest one-off creation based on the legendary 98 Magnum is a homage to one of the most sought-after quarries of African big game hunting, the "Dagga Boys"
Mauser 98 Magnum Dagga Boys, a one-of-a-kind rifle
In southern Africa, the term "Dagga Boys" (after the Zulu language word for "mud") is used to describe old and usually solitary Cape buffa bulls who have been forced out of the herd by young virile bulls.
Considered particularly dangerous and highly sought after as quarries by African big game hunters, the "Dagga Boys" are the subject of the latest creation by the master gunmakers at Mauser's Meisterwerkstatt: the Mauser 98 Magnum "Dagga Boys" .416 Rigby, a one-off bolt-action rifle presented at the 2026 edition of the Jagd & Hund hunting expo in Dortmund, Germany.
Master engraver Sebastian Weiß worked long and hard to eternalize this majestic animal and their cultural significance on a Magnum Mauser double square bridge action milled from a solid block of steel, with impressive precision and full-coverage flat engraving.
Mauser 98 Magnum "Dagga Boys" .416 Rigby bolt-action rifle – right side
Mauser 98 Magnum "Dagga Boys" .416 Rigby bolt-action rifle – left side
The masterful depiction on the magazine floorplate shows all the characteristic features of these iconic solitary animals: frayed ears, the massive, deeply furrowed boss, as well as the worn horn tips marked by life: that's enough to make the heart of every buffalo hunter beat faster.
The pistol grip cap is adorned with a fine depiction of the African continent, which brings Africa’s mountain ranges to life through shading and is framed with an inlaid gold wire – a stylistically confident transition to a striking camelthorn wood ornamentation that decorates the filling of the cap itself.
Subtle yet very characterful English ornamentation as well as fine camelthorn wood pieces continue on further parts and details of the firearm, such as the bolt handle, bolt shroud, receiver bridge, barrel root, and sight bases.
The 62 cm / 24" barrel, the front sight and the rear sight base are blued and hand-polished. Fine gold inlays and English ornamentation on the barrel root and safety form elegant accents.
The extractor, extractor ring, bolt stop, and firing pin are blued and, together with the gold-colored trigger and the jewelling finish on the bolt, create a harmonious appearance with a truly colonial character, topped by a high-contrast root-grain grade 10 wood stock, finished with a red butt plate.
The price that one lucky individual will have to pay to make this one-of-a-kind masterpiece theirs hasn't been made public yet. For further information, visit the official Mauser website.
