Mannlicher M95/30 Rifles and Carbines in Austria Hungary (original) (raw)
Mannlicher Model 1895/30 Infantry Stutzen Rifle and Carbine
Originally made by �sterreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft, Steyr, 1897-1918 and by Fegyver �s G�pgy�r Rt, Budapest, 1897-1918 in caliber 8x50Rmm
Original muzzle velocity was 545 m/sec with M1888 ball cartridge
Modified by �sterreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft, Steyr, 1930-1940
Caliber: 8x56mm rimmed. New Muzzle Velocity 720 m/sec with M30 ball cartridge
Integral clip-loaded box magazine, 5 rounds
Action: Straight-pull bolt action, with two lugs on a detachable bolt head engaging the receiver
Stutzen 1003mm [39.5"] overall, 3.40kg [7.5 lbs] 500mm [19.7"] barrel, 4-groove rifling, RH, concentric
In 1930 the Austrian Army adopted a rimmed 8x56mm cartridge to replace the old Austro-Hungarian 8x50mm design. The new round, known as the M.30 in Austria, was initially used in modified M1890 and M1895-type Mannlichers. These were essentially similar to the Austro-Hungarian patterns, but were re-barreled or re-chambered for the 8x56r cartridge and had new back sights installed.
The original 'STEYR M95' or 'BUDAPEST M95' markings and the two-headed Austrian Eagle stamp or Hungarian proofs were retained.
A similar conversion was done in Hungary. See more details under Mannlicher 31.M
The barrel was typically marked with a 'Wn[eagle]date' acceptance stamp indicating the 1st acceptance date. If the rifle was re-issued in Austria after the conversion, the date was usually overstamped with a 1930's date indicating the acceptance of the conversion.
This example (courtesy of Gunhorde on Gunboards) shows that the barrel was originally 'Wn[eagle]18' (1918) accepted. After the conversion to 8x56r it was stamped HV[eagle]34, indicating the acceptance of the conversion in 1934.
The M30 cartridge (8x56RS = RandHulse und Spitzgeschoss) was a large-rim with a pointed bullet. To differentiate this new chambering from the older Round Nose 8x50R chambering, a 8-12mm (or so) high letter 'S' was stamped on the barrel shanks of the converted weapons. These guns are called M95/34 incorrectly by a U.S. importer. There was no such designation neither in Hungary nor in Austria.
'T' circled = Tegelstahl. Gun rebarrelled with a new type higher quality steel barrel (Austrian mark). Mark maybe found under the woodline. Also found on Czech guns made after WW1
The 8x56R cartridge was adopted by Austria in 1930 and by Hungary in 1931. Large number of Stutzen rifles were converted to this round, and most of the remaining long rifles were cut down to the 'Stutzen' length. Band-mounted front sight on a Stutzen indicates a cut down long rifle.
Part of the original Austrian conversion was the addition of a new brass front-sight protector. Most of these weapons were shipped to Bulgaria during 1938-40, where most of the front sight protectors were removed.
Photo courtesy of Gunhorde on Gunboards.
Unaltered 8x50R weapons with a designation of 'M.95a' were supplied to auxiliary soldiers.
 |
 |
Original M95 leaf sights on the left sides graduated 500-2400 schrittNew leaf sight replacements on the right sides graduated 300-2000 meters |
|---|
Four different Long Rifle Rear Sight Modifications for Stutzen/Carbine use:
1. Graduated to 2200m, Most Common Variant
2. Graduated to 2200m, Stutzen Slide
3. Graduated to 1800m, Sight face milled
4. Graduated to 1500m only
A standard M1895-type knife bayonet (360mm overall, 248mm blade length), with an auxiliary front sight on top of the muzzle ring. This compensated for the change in point-of-impact caused by firing the Stutzen with the bayonet fixed. The effect was much more marked in the short-barrel Stutzens than the full-length rifles.
Ammunition
8x56R production year identification:
At the 12 o'clock position a Roman numeral indicates the month of manufacture. 'I' would be January. The marking at the 6 o'clock position is the manufacturers mark. The two headed eagle at the 6 o'clock position used up to 1938 (Munitionsfabrik Wollersdorf). In 1938 they started using the German eagle. The 9 and 3 o'clock position shows the year of manufacture.
Boxer primed cases for both 8x50R and 8x56R are available from Huntington and Old Western Scrounger. The 8x50 uses a .323 dia bullet, the 8x56 uses a .329 dia bullet.
Ammo Safety: the M95 rifles chambered for the 8x56mm cartridge are not recommended to be used with the old conical-nosed 8x50mm cartridge. Although both cartridges are rimmed, and headspaced at the rim, the 8x56mm is 6mm longer and more powerful. The spent 8x50 cartridge cases will be re-formed to the 8x56 shape. Many shooters used these 'exchanged' cartridges without any injury or damage, however these cartridges are not guaranteed to be safely interchangeable.