Austrian M95 Short Rifle (Stutzen)………………. (F 1284)

Austrian Mannlicher Stutzen rifle for Artillery and Engineers

M1895 Short Rifle – Not a Carbine.  If it were a carbine proper, it would have the provision of side mounted sling swivels, this has not.  However, artillerymen and engineers also don’t want to be lugging around a full length rifle so this was produced for them and any other special users.  This was one of the the main weapons the Austrians and other of its allies fielded in the First World War.  After the war the Austrians were required to provide large quantities of weaponry to the victors as part of the reporations.  It is somewhat strange then, that many of these arms ended up in the hands of Police and other non-front line units of the Nazi Germany in the Second World War.  Some were even converted to &.92 in that conflict, but not this one.  This is in 8 x 56mm, hence the 1/2″ high “S” over the breech.  Any such unmarked versions would be understood to be the original caliber 8 x 50mm.

Built around thwe Styre-Mannlicher straight bolt system the bolt had frontal locking lugs which does make it an extremely strong action.  But as with all straight-pull mechanisiums it suffers from it little foibles.  Primary extraction can be awkward and resistant if the conditions act against the user.  Firm handling is recomended.  The rifle is exactly 1000mm long. the barrel is approximately 50mm long, round and blued. The trigger pull is 13.1/2″ to centre.  It uses a five round brass clip which will fall through the base of the magazine housing when empty.

Two piece Italian Walnut stock with semi-pistol grip and handguard over barrel.  The buttplate looks to be alliminium and has a small tang at the top which is marked; “Z.W. / 215”  The stock underneath the action has a very pleasing dense black grain pattern to it and the foreend has finger grooves.  The action, barrel and triiger guard/ magazine housing are also blued.  It looks to be a refinish, possibly applied whenthe rifle was taken in and reissued for its post war job.  The finish is strong and rich with a certain deep lustre to it.  The bolt is in the white.

The receiver is relitively plain being marked simply “M 95”.  West German proofs are visible with the main serial number restamped on the LHS just above the woodwork; “29031” Very close inspection shows previous stampings beneath.  Also on the barrel shank the large “S” denoting caliber change to 8 x 56mm.  On the subject of the serial number, it is my personal beleif that someone in a badly lit factory has mis-read the original serial number and unfortunately stamped the stock parallel to the butt plate “29031”  But that is all part of the fun of collecting – you have to make these judgements one’self and appreciate the history of the item!

The action is fine, has a safety and a thumb-catch to the rear of the bolt.  Then there the bore…. Well, actually its quite good.  Good for one of these.  Should proove to be a reasonable shooter.  The surface of the lands is clear but the grooves slightly dark.  The rifling is complete with no interuptions.  Bore seems free of actual pitting though dark.  New owner attention required.  Rear flip-up ladder sight graduated from 600 to 2400 meters.  Borble ended stacking rod and bayonet stud on front barrel band.

FAC required  –  Stock No’1284

£ 475.

Bayonet and scabbard available as shown.

OAL 14.1/2″  Special bayonet specifically for this rifle as it has a pointer on the barrel ring which adds as a sight to add a correction when shooting with bayonet attached to rifle.  Birds head pommel with release catch.  Dark wood grips, two attachment rivets. Blade 9.3/4″ long with single edge and fuller.  Point good.  The hilt being stamped with non-relevant numerals. Clear Austrain Pheonix on one side of the ricasso, makers motife on the other; “OE / WG”.  Bayonet shows traces of field grey/ green paint, reminiscent of a German Erstats German bayonet seen previously.  Correct bayonet for the rifle above but not serial numbered to match – that would be too incredible!

£ 125.

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