Object Title

Mannlicher Repetier Stutzen Modell 1895

Development

Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher (1848-1904), a designer with the Austrian railway corporation, was inspired to build his own rifle by a visit to the International Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. From 1880 he designed a variety of such rifles, however his breakthrough came when he proposed a rifle with a magazine positioned in the centre of the stock. This rifle was introduced into the Austro-Hungarian Army in 1886. The Modell 1895 was originally intended to be manufactured by Steyr, as were many of Mannlicher's previous designs. However, instead it was manufactured in Budapest by Fegyver és Gépgyár R.T (F.G.GY), from 1897-1918. Based on Mannlicher's original straight-pull bolt-action infantry rifles, the Stutzen is often confused with its rarer cousin the Mannlicher Kavaliere Repetier-Carabiner Modell 1895 (Cavalry Carbine).

The Mannlicher design meant that through opening the base of the magazine, the empty clip could be ejected. Later Mannlicher rifles, allowed the empty clip to be ejected through the open receiver by depressing the clip catch inside the trigger guard. The en-bloc clip has a dedicated bottom and top, meaning that the rounds can only be loaded the correct way up due to the rimmed ammunition used. This system meant that the magazine could not be fed with single rounds. The result of this meant that the Mannlicher en-bloc clip was eventually replaced by Mauser type stripper clips.

Use and effect

Designed for the Austro-Hungarian special troops such as the Engineers, the Stutzen Mannlicher Modell 1895 is often confused with Mannlicher Modell 1895 Cavalry Carbine. The difference between the two being that the Stutzen is fitted with a bayonet lug and has sling swivels attached to the underside of the weapon. The Cavalry Carbine has side slings, making it easier to carry whilst mounted and has no bayonet lug.

After the Austrio-Hungarian defeat in 1918, many were given to other Balkan states as war reparations.

Statistics

Action / Operating system Bolt-action

Barrel length 50 cm (19.7 in)

Calibre / Bore 8x50mmR Mannlicher

Capacity (rounds) 5

Country of manufacture Austria-Hungary

Date entered service 1897

Effective range 450 m (492 yd)

Feed En-bloc clip

Manufacturer Fegyver és Gépgyár R.T (F.G.GY)

Muzzle velocity 580 m/s (1900 fps)