Swiss Mannlicher M1893 Carbine

Swiss Mannlicher M1893 Carbine
Type Bolt-action rifle
Place of origin Switzerland
Austria-Hungary
Service history
In service 1893–1905
Used by Switzerland
Production history
Designer Ferdinand Mannlicher
Designed 1893
Manufacturer SIG, Waffenfabrik Bern
Produced 1895–1905
Number built 7750
Specifications
Weight 3.08 kg (6.8 lb)
Length 100 cm (39 in)
Barrel length 55 cm (22 in)
Cartridge 7.5×53.5mm Swiss (GP90)
Action Straight-pull bolt action
Muzzle velocity 1,835 feet per second (559 m/s)
Effective firing range fixed sight: 300 m; adjustable sight: 400–1200 m
Feed system 6-round detachable box magazine, fed by charger

The Swiss Mannlicher Model 1893 Carbine was a straight-pull carbine designed by Ferdinand Mannlicher for use by the Swiss cavalry troops.[1] It features a bolt that is almost identical to that of the Mannlicher M1890 Carbine and Mannlicher M1895 rifle aside from the shape of the cocking piece.

Design

Detailed drawing.

The Swiss military was in need of a cavalry carbine for their mounted units, so they tried shortening the existing Schmidt–Rubin 1889, but its action proved to be too long to be effective to maneuver with while mounted, so the Swiss government began trials for a new carbine. Two turning-bolt designs were submitted by SIG, a turning-bolt and a straight-pull design were submitted by Ferdinand Mannlicher, a modified Mauser design and a straight-pull design by Vogelsang and Krauser. The Mannlicher straight-pull design was chosen for its compactness.[1]

It was carried by side sling swivels and didn't feature a bayonet mount. These carbines were supposedly hated by the Swiss soldiers as they were hard to field strip and their bolts were hard to disassemble. Many were intentionally smashed during drills, so today combined with their small manufacture number they are quite rare.[1] It was later replaced by the Schmidt–Rubin M1899/1900 Short Rifle.

The M1893s were never meant to fire more potent GP11 ammunition and should never be fired using it.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "1893 Mannlicher Carbine". Retrieved 14 April 2015.
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