Mannlicher M1895 Rifle

     Notes:  The Model M1895 and its variants were some of the most popular infantry rifles until just after World War 1; many were even used in to equip home defense-type units and were used by partisans during World War 2.  These rifles were even equipping guerillas in Africa as late as the 1970s!  The M1895 was based on the M1885 rifle, and the lengthy testing period, begun in 1892, allowed the Austrian-Hungarian Army to test a variety of ammunition types and calibers.  It was also determined that the M1885 was not of good enough quality to serve as Austria-Hungary’s new service rifle, as the M1895 was originally to be merely a modified M1885. Calibers as small as 5.5mm and as large as 11mm were tested before the 8mm Austrian Service round was standardized as being of sufficient range, stopping power, damaging potential, and light enough recoil.  Some 3.5 million M1895s and their derivatives were built by Mannlicher and Steyr, and many more by manufacturers in other countries, both under license and not.

     Mannlicher M1895-pattern rifles can be put into two broad mechanism types: turnbolt and straight-pull.  Turnbolt rifles are basically the types of bolt-action rifles we are familiar with – one has to pull the bolt handle upwards, bull the bolt back to chamber a round, push the bolt forward again, then lock the mechanism again by pulling the bolt handle down.  A straight-pull design requires only a slight unlocking turn by the shooter to unlock the bolt, and either a slight movement or none at all to push the bolt forward and lock it in one action.

     Before you say, “A straight-pull system sounds much better!” – well, it is – but only for the shooter, and only in an ergonomic sense.  A straight-pull mechanism is actually more complicated than a turnbolt system.  The lack of positive locking makes the mechanism far more difficult to seal, can lead to unreliability to in firing, case ruptures, feeding, and extraction failures, and a straight-pull mechanism ends up more complicated to ensure these sorts of problems do not happen. 

 

Austrian Versions

     The M1895 rifle was the Austro-Hungarian service rifle of World War 1. It was fed was fed by a 5-round en-bloc clip from the bottom; when the en-bloc was empty, it simply fell out of the bottom of the receiver.  There is a button in front of the trigger guard which allows the shooter to eject a clip before it is empty or even when it is full. The M1895 is not designed to be loaded any way but by the en bloc clip, attempting to load it with single rounds will seem to work, but when fired, the ejector will be severely damage and the rifle will then fail to function at all. In the original M1895 Long Rifle, the barrel is an astounding 30.1 inches, and the rifle nearly 134 centimeters long.  The stock runs from muzzle to butt, and it had the standard drop-stock of the time, though it did not drop as much as most rifles of the period.  The M1895 uses a straight-wrist stock.  The rear sight is a leaf-type, graduated to 2600 paces (about 1948 meters). The trigger is a slender-type; the trigger pack includes two upward-projecting bars internally, which serve to prevent the straight-pull bolt from being pull entirely out of the rifle on a cocking stroke. It is a slight improvement upon the Turnbolt M1895 rifle; the bolt-action mechanism is different; the rifle can be reloaded without the clip (but cannot be reloaded with stripper clips), and there are two safety mechanisms instead of the one found on the Turnbolt.  It is also a somewhat shorter, lighter, and handier weapon.

     The M1931 Short Rifle is a shortened M1895.  It was developed by Hungary some time after World War 1, as experience in World War 1 showed that such a long-barreled as on the M1895 was not necessary. They were difficult to distinguish at first glance from the earlier weapon, but has greatly-shortened 22-inch barrels and fired a new 8mm cartridge that was developed by Hungary.  The new cartridge proved to be too powerful and had a heavier bullet and powder load than the 8mm Austrian Service, and proved to wear the short barrels out prematurely. The sights were also modified to accommodate the new barrel length and cartridge.  The M1931 retained the mechanism and the clip-loading system of the M1895.

     The M1935 Short Rifle, also known as the FEG 35M, is a development of the M1931.  Primary improvements were in the chamber and barrel, which were made stronger to better withstand the power of the new cartridge.  The barrel was also lengthened to 23.6 inches.  A new bayonet was devised for the M1935, which had utility as a general-work or hand-to-hand knife, and new mounts up front had to be added. The M1935 was deliberately made significantly heavier by the use of denser woods and steel rods in the stock and forestock to reduce recoil.  The mechanism and clip system otherwise worked the same.

     The M1943, also known as the FEG 43M, is essentially an M1935 reworked into a turnbolt action, due to the unexpected success of the Nazi Kar-98k.  The M1943 also used a Kar-98k-type magazine, fed from the top by stripper clips; in many ways, it was a Kar-98k with Hungarian construction techniques and parts styles.  Production was interrupted shortly after production started by Hungary’s invasion by the Nazis. Production started again in 1947 and continued until the end of 1953, but pressure by the Soviets for the Hungarians to use Mosin-Nagant weapons instead of the M1895-type weapons led for production to be ceased.

 

     The turnbolt rifle was not used by Austria, but was used by the Dutch and by Romania.  The turnbolt was one of the popular bolt-action systems of the time, but Mannlicher was the first to use a clip loading system, allowing the magazine to be completely reloaded with one stroke.  The weakness in Mannlicher’s clip loading system was that the clip was an essential part of the magazine system; without the clip, the Turnbolt M1895 is a single-shot weapon, since the magazine cannot be reloaded without the clip.  In most of these rifles, the expended clip falls out through a hole in the bottom of the magazine, but in some, the clip is ejected up and out after the last round is fired (similar to the later M1 Garand).  The Dutch and Romanian ammunition for this weapon differs only in that Dutch ammunition is rimmed; however, they are not interchangeable. 

     The M1895/24 Short Rifle  is an M1895-pattern Mannlicher Turnbolt modified by Steyr shortly after World War 1.  The rifle was modified to fire 8mm Mauser ammunition, and the barrels were shortened to make the weapon into more handy.  The magazines were modified both to take the new cartridge and to be able to use the standard German ammunition clips.  The ejection port had a hinged cover to help keep dirt out of the mechanism; this actuated as the bolt was cycled. 

     These rifles can actually still be found on the civilian War Surplus market to this day.

 

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

M1895 Rifle

8mm Austrian Service

3.78 kg

5 Clip

$1607

M1931 Short Rifle

8mm Hungarian Mannlicher

3.12 kg

5 Clip

$1708

M1935 Short Rifle

8mm Hungarian Mannlicher

3.86 kg

5 Clip

$1725

M1943 Short Rifle

8mm Hungarian Mannlicher

4.1 kg

5 Clip

$1725

 

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

M1895 Rifle

BA

5

2-3-Nil

9

5

Nil

115

M1931 Short Rifle

BA

4

2-3-Nil

7

5

Nil

79

M1935 Short Rifle

BA

4

2-3-Nil

8

5

Nil

88

M1943 Short Rifle

BA

4

2-3-Nil

8

4

Nil

88

 

 

Dutch Versions

     Like the Austro-Hungarians, the Dutch put the M1895 through a lengthy test period before adopting its own version of the M1895.  For a while, it seemed that the No. 4 test rifle would be adopted; this was chambered in the 6.5mm Dutch Mannlicher round, and had a 31.1-inch barrel. This trials rifle has a special quadrant-type rear sight which was graduated to 2110 meters (actually, 2295 yards). The rifle was socketed for an epee-type bayonet, and the rifle was top-loaded with either stripper clips or individual rounds. Some 1000 iof these rifles were made, and some did see service in World War 1.

     However, the 1892 Trials Rifle would see even more changes before it became the 1895 Dutch Service Rifle.  Perhaps the biggest change was the change to a turnbolt-type cocking mechanism; it was felt that the turnbolt reduced shooter errors and made for a more reliable mechanism.  In the end, the Dutch chose a sword-type bayonet similar to that used on the British Lee-Metford.  The barrel remained 31.1 inches, though weight increased quite a bit. Stocks were essentially the same as Austro-Hungarian M1895s.

     Shortly before World War 1, some Dutch M1895s were rechambered to fire 8mm Mauser rounds, which was the round used Dutch Lewis and Schwarzlose machineguns.  However, few of these chamberings were made, and even fewer issued; the power of the 8mm Mauser round basically maxed out the strength of the Mannlicher action, and there were many blown chambers and barrels.

     A Practice version of the M1895 was produced for marksmanship training.  This version is basically the standard M1895 rechambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge and with a mechanism alteration for the firing of that cartridge.  The magazine was also replaced with one with an insert that allowed .33 Long Rifle rounds, yest made the magazine visually similar to that of the standard M1895.  These rifles were prominently marked KSO on the right side of the receiver.

     The Dutch also adopted a number of carbines and short rifles.  Most of these were made by Steyr, though a large number were also made by Artillerie Inrichtingen in Austria.  The No. 1 Carbine was designed specifically for cavalry, and was produced from 1897-1920.The rifle was severely cut-down with only a half-length fore-end and a mere 17.7-inch barrel.  The No 1 could use the standard bayonet, but it required a modified mount, the top of which had to be locked over the front sight.  The No 2 carbine was essentially the same, but used a short knife-type folding bayonet, and was a little heavier due to the bayonet installation and a somewhat longer handguard.  The No.2 was primarily used by military police, but was also issued to police stationed in remote areas..

     The No 3 Carbine had a 19-inch barrel.  It had a full-length stock that ran over the top of the muzzle. It used a longer version of the M1895 Rifle’s epee-type bayonet.  The No 3 Short Rifle was designed for artillerymen, engineers, and sappers. The No 4 was essentially the same, but was designed for cyclists and machinegunners; it had a shorter nosecap and no bayonet-mounting gear of any type. The sling swivels were positioned to allow the user to easily carry them diagonally over the shoulder.

     The No.5 Carbine was made by cutting down M1895 Rifles, as it was felt at the time of the modifications (1938) that carbines were more useful than full-length rifles.  They retained their original markings, even on the heavily-modified barrel. The No.5 had a 17.9-inch barrel, and sights graduated to 2000 meters.  An unusual version of this rifle, designed for issue to colonial troops, This version used a turned-down bolt handle, and the rifle was designed for a bayonet that was equally a fighting knife and utility knife, and had a bar hilt.  The No 5 is a bit heavy for its size. During World War 2, some of these were rechambered for the 7.7mm Japanese cartridge, as at one point captured Japanese rifle cartridges were more plentiful than 6.5mm cartridges.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

M1892 Trials  Rifle

6.5mm Dutch Mannlicher

4.14 kg

5 Clip

$1240

M1895 Rifle

6.5mm Dutch Mannlicher

4.3 kg

5 Clip

$1240

M1895 Rifle

8mm Mauser

4.3 kg

5 Clip

$1788

M1895 Practice Rifle

.22 Long Rifle

4.79 kg

5-I

$382

M1895 No 1 Carbine

6.5mm Dutch Mannlicher

3.11 kg

5 Clip

$1104

M1895 No 2 Carbine

6.5mm Dutch Mannlicher

3.23 kg

5 Clip

$1104

M1895 No 3 Carbine

6.5mm Dutch Mannlicher

3.13 kg

5 Clip

$1117

M1895 No 4 Carbine

6.5mm Dutch Mannlicher

3.13 kg

5 Clip

$1117

M1895 No.5 Carbine

6.5mm Dutch Mannlicher

3.56 kg

5 Clip

$1106

M1895 No.5 Carbine

7.7mm Type 99

3.56 kg

5 Clip

$1571

 

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

M1892 Trials  Rifle

BA

4

2-3-Nil

8

4

Nil

107

M1895 Rifle (6.5mm)

BA

4

2-3-Nil

8

4

Nil

107

M1895 Rifle (8mm)

BA

5

2-3-Nil

9

5

Nil

127

M1895 Practice Rifle

BA

1

Nil

8

1

Nil

68

M1895 No 1 & 2 Carbines

BA

3

2-Nil

6

3

Nil

50

M1895 No 3 & 4 Carbines

BA

3

2-Nil

6

4

Nil

56

M1895 No.5 Carbine

BA

3

2-Nil

6

4

Nil

51

M1895 No.5 Carbine (7.7mm)

BA

4

2-3-Nil

6

5

Nil

55

 

Greek Versions

      This is a combination of the Mannlicher turnbolt with a new rotary spool magazine that is still in common use in bolt-action rifles to this day.  Domestically-produced models are also known as Philippidis Guns, The Greek M1903 was the only military service rifle to use this magazine, however, until the SSG-69 sniper rifle came into service in 1969.  For a Mannlicher full-sized rifle, the barrel is short at 28.6 inches. Another unusual feature was the Mauser cocking system; the rifle could be cocked by simply raising and lowering the bolt handle, as on the Gew 98.  Deliveries of this rifle to the Greeks stopped when Greece declared itself to be on the side of the Allies in World War 1,and did not resume until new copies could be obtained from Breda in Italy in 1927.  In the meantime, they were copied without license, as noted above. They were finally phased out of service in 1930, when the Greeks replaced them with M1903/14/30 carbines, which they received in numbers topping 25,000, directly from the Steyr factory. Both the M1903 and the M1903.24/30 carbine were used extensively by Greek partisans against the Nazis during World War II, though after the war, they were replaced by M1 Garand riffles supplied by the US.  The Greek Mannlicher-Schoenauers were put to great use as hunting weapons after World War 2, both in Greece and other parts of the world due to international firearms sales,

     After World War 1, as a part of war reparations (from the former Austria-Hungary, not Germany), 50,000 M1903/14 carbines were given to Greece.  Most of these were actually refurbished to “like new” conditions, while the rest were new in the packaging and had not been issued to Austro-Hungarian troops, 

     The M1903/14/27 was essentially a short rifle version, but built for Greece by Breda in Italy; a similar version built by Steyr designated the M1903/14/30 was also acquired in large numbers has similar characteristics.  The M1895/14 used a 20.7-inch barrel; the other two used 19.7-inch barrels.

     The M1952 was essentially an M1903/14/27 built to more modern methods and specifications.  Though the military version is shown here. The M1952 was also chambered for several other cartridges and drilled and tapped for scopes mounts and sold as civilian hunting rifles.  It should also be noted that some users of all versions of the M1903 had some users who were snipers and sharpshooters, and had their rifles drilled and tapped for scope mounts, particularly when used by Greek partisan units during World War 2.

     In addition, many of the older Greek Mannlichers were rechambered and drilled and tapped for civilian use.

     The Rigopoulos was a radical redesign of the Greek M1903. It used both modified and totally redesigned parts, along with a short box or long box magazine feed and a shorter barrel and a bipod, to produce a selective fire version of the M1903. Though approved to be produced in the factory as Volos in the spring of 1941, the Nazi invasion shortly after production began ended production of the Rigopoulos.  Only one example exists today, in a museum in Greece.  The weight figure below is an estimate; I have not been able to find hard figures on weight of the Rigopoulos.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

M1903

6.5mm Greek Service

3.77 kg

5 Clip

$1212

M1903/14

6.5mm Greek Service

3.58 kg

5 Clip

$1132

M1903/14/27

6.5mm Greek Service

3.49 kg

5 Clip

$1122

M1903/14/30

6.5mm Greek Service

3.54 kg

5 Clip

$1122

M1952

6.5mm Greek Service

3.32 kg

5 Clip

$1122

Rigopoulos

6.5mm Greek Service

4.57 kg

10, 20

$1892

 

Weapon

 

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

M1903

 

BA

4

2-3-Nil

8

4

Nil

97

M1903/14

 

BA

3

2-Nil

7

4

Nil

62

M1903/14/27 & 14/30

 

BA

3

2-Nil

7

4

Nil

58

M1952

 

BA

3

2-Nil

6

4

Nil

58

Rigopoulos

 

3

3

2-Nil

7

3

Nil

54

Rigopoulos (with Bipod)

 

3

3

2-Nil

7

2

Nil

70

 

Romanian Versions

     The Romanians participated in the early trials for the Austrian M1895 Rifle, as well as trailing the German Gew. 88.  Their Mannlicher build, the M1892, therefore had some of the features of the Gew. 88, such as the locking lugs, a bolt head which detached from the receiver as the bolt was reciprocated, and the bayonet was mounted on the right side. The stock was similar to a combination of the Mannlicher stock and Gew. 88 stock, with gripping grooves on the fore-end.  There is a groove under the stock for a cleaning rod.  It was a relatively heavy rifle, shough solidly-built, and had a 28.55-inch barrel.  The round it fired, while similar to the 6.5mm Dutch Mannlicher round, are sufficiently different as to not be interchangeable.

     The Portuguese Mannlicher M1900 Rifle is essentially identical to the Romanian Mannlicher M1893 Rifle but fires a different cartridge that is not compatible with the Romanian cartridge; the Portuguese Mannlicher round is based on the 8mm Mauser round.

     The M1893 Rifle was similar to that of the M1892, but it was mush greater in weight and was issued primarily to military police, and had a 28.75-inch barrel.

     The M1893 Carbine was in many ways similar to the M1893 Rifle, but had a severely shortened 17.7-inch barrel, a turned-down bolt handle, and the sling swivels moved to the left side of the stock and fore-end.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

M1892 Rifle

6.5mm Romanian Mannlicher

4.06 kg

5 Clip

$1214

M1893 Rifle

6.5mm Romanian Mannlicher

4.11 kg

5 Clip

$1217

M-1893 Carbine

6.5mm Romanian Mannlicher

3.29 kg

5 Clip

$1104

M1900 Portuguese Rifle

6.5mm Portuguese Mannlicher

4.06 kg

5 Clip

$1300

 

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

M1892 Rifle

BA

4

2-3-Nil

8

4

Nil

98

M1893 Rifle

BA

4

2-3-Nil

8

4

Nil

99

M-1893 Carbine

BA

3

2-Nil

6

3

Nil

50

M1900 Portuguese Rifle

BA

4

2-3-Nil

8

4

Nil

94

 

Siamese Versions

  The Siamese trialed the 1888 Mannlicher, the M1888-90, and the M1895.  They chose a heavier version with 28.55-inch barrels.  However, they were impressed with the 8mm Austrian Service round and chose to chamber their rifles with that instead of the several 6.5mm rounds available.  These rifles were used well into the 1950s, when most of them were converted to civilian weapons as above and sold off.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

M1895

8mm Austrian Service

4.78 kg

5 Clip

$1592

 

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

M1895

BA

5

2-3-Nil

8

4

Nil

108

 

Swiss Versions

     Switzerland took part in the trials for the M1895, but in the end decided to go with a short rifle variant instead of a full-length rifle (though they designated it a carbine).  The M1893 Rifle used a 22.65-inch barrel; the Swiss also decided to chamber their new rifle in the 7.5mm Swiss cartridge instead of any of the cartridges offered at the trials.  The Swiss used a quadrant-type rear sight a detachable box magazine instead of the rotary clip.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

M1893 Carbine

7.5mm Swiss

3.08 kg

6

$1529

 

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

M1893 Carbine

BA

4

2-3-Nil

7

5

Nil

81