Mannlicher M90/31 Austro-Hungarian Weapons (original) (raw)

Mannlicher Model 1890/31 Infantry Stutzen Rifle and Carbine

Gyalogs�gi Ism�tl� Puska M90/31 (or 1931.M)

The M90/31 designation is used on this webpage to indicate a different origin, the M90, instead of the common M95 origin of the standard31.M conversions.

Originally 105,000 M.90 carbines and Stutzens were made combined, by �sterreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft, Steyr, 1891-96 in caliber 8x50Rmm
Original muzzle velocity was 545 m/sec with M1888 ball cartridge
Modified by F�m�ru Fegyver �s G�pgy�r (F�G), Budapest, 1931-1935
Caliber: 8x56mm rimmed. 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 1931 the Hungarian Army adopted the Austrian rimmed 8x56mm cartridge to replace the old Austro-Hungarian 8x50mm design. The new round, known as the 31.M in Hungary, was initially used in modified M1890 (and M1895-type) straight-pull Mannlichers. These were essentially similar to the original Austro-Hungarian patterns, but were re-barreled or re-chambered for the 8x56r cartridge and had new rear sights installed.Hungarian conversions included an 8-12mm high letter 'H' stamped on top of the chamber. The original M90 'OEWG' markings and the two-headed Austrian Eagle stamp (if existed) was retained. See more details under Mannlicher 31.M

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.

	Hungarian conversions also included an addition of a new front-sight protector

These original M90 quadrant sights graduated to 500-1800 schritt (pace, .75 meters) were replaced with new metric leaf sights shown below reflecting the more powerful M.31 cartridge.

	New Metric leaf sights graduated 400-2000 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

In Hungary these guns' service life was brief, as the adoption of the 35.M rifle caused the conversion to be withdrawn into storage. Survivors were reissued for service in 1940.

	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 Hungarian Gendarmerie (Csend�rs�g) used the more intimidating 450mm blade-length bayonets

8x56mm Ammunition:

Headstamp: at 12 o'clock 'M' and 'L' superimposed = Magyar L�szerm�vek, Veszprem [Hungarian AmmoFactory, Veszprem], at 6 o'clock '44' is date of manufacture.
On the ammo box: '8mm 31.M �les t�lt�ny M.L.'. �les t�lt�ny = live ammunition, ML = Magyar L�szerm�vek, Veszprem.
Another factory used '�H', also superimposed = �llami Hadianyaggy�r [State Military Supply Factory], Budapest. The Csepel M�vek, (formerly Weiss Manfr�d M�vek) also produced ammunition. Last known Hungarian produced 8x56mm ammo was dated 1956.
The green-tipped 8x56mm ammo was armor piercing. Boxer primed cases for both 8x50R and 8x56R are available from Huntington and Old Western Scrounger in the USA. The 8x50mm uses a .323" dia bullet, the 8x56mm uses a .329" dia bullet. The original shell length of the 8x56mm cartridge is 55.4mm.

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

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