A Quick and Dirty Guide: Dutch Mannlichers

All right, this one is meant to cover the standard issue Mannlicher 1895 rifles and carbines used by the Dutch Army, Navy, and East Indies forces.  We have not had time to research Indonesian modifications, of which there are at least three, KSO rifles, or experimental models.

Army

Rifle Model 1895

Date	1895	Used By	Infantry	Mag Cover	Absent	Handguard	Full	Sling Swivels	Under/Under

This is the original Dutch Model 1895 Long Rifle.  We’ve covered it in detail before.  Somewhat hard to miss, there are three long rifles in 6.5mm.  Most encountered will probably be this one from the Army, but check the other two (Navy and KNIL) in this list to be sure.

Carbine No.1 Old Model

Date	1896	Used By	Cavalry	Mag Cover	Present	Handguard	Absent	Sling Swivels	Side/Side

This simple cut-down rifle was introduced as a Cavalry carbine.  Originally it was not fitted with a bayonet but later a modified Beaumont socket bayonet was adapted to fit.  The oversized rear sling swivel stands out.  This gun also sports a wooden magazine cover to keep it from wearing on the soldier’s uniform when worn over the back.

Carbine No.2 Old Model

Date	1896	Used By	Military Police	Mag Cover	Absent	Handguard	Absent	Sling Swivels	Under/Under

This handy military police carbine sports a folding bayonet along the right side.  This hinges downward to swing around and lock into position.  The assembly is attached by the unique sleeve/sight protector over the barrel.

Carbine No.3 Old Model

Date	1896	Used By	Engineers, Artillery	Mag Cover	Absent	Handguard	Long	Sling Swivels	Under/Under

This carbine was adopted to arm engineers, artillerymen, coastal torpedoers, and other units who would not be primarily using their rifles.  The most outstanding feature is its oversized handguard.  These were prone to damage and when exported to the U.S. most were stripped from the carbines in order to provide a more uniform marketable gun.  Complete pieces are uncommon.

Carbine No.4 Old Model

Date	1909	Used By	Cyclists	Mag Cover	Present	Handguard	Short	Sling Swivels	Side/Side

In 1909 this carbine was introduced for bicycle troops and messengers.  Similar to the No.3, it has side-mounted sling swivels and a wooden magazine protector in order to be worn on the back.  The handguard was also shortened and stops at the barrel band.  We’re going to see some “New Models” next and there was a No.4 New Model, but these were identical to the No.1 New Model.  They were phased out for the No.1 NM after only about 400 units.  No examples are known, or even a sure way to distinguish one from the No.1 NM.

Carbine No.1 New Model

Date	1918	Used By	Cavalry	Mag Cover	Present	Handguard	Long,Short	Sling Swivels	Side/Side

This model was introduced in 1918 in order to provide a more standard bayonet mount to the cavalry.  The first examples had the same long handguard as the No.3, but this was replaced with the shortened handguard of the No.4.

Carbine No.2 New Model

Date	1918	Used By	Military Police	Mag Cover	Absent	Handguard	Short	Sling Swivels	Under/Under

A primarily cosmetic change, the No.2 New Model fitted a handguard to this military police carbine.  The specialized barrel band was dropped as unnecessary to manufacture and was replaced with a standard one (even though it would be impossible to fit a bayonet to this lug).

Carbine No.3 New Model

Date	1918	Used By	Artillery, Engineers	Mag Cover	Present	Handguard	Long	Sling Swivels	Under/Under

This model is basically the same as the No.3 OM, but with the inclusion of a magazine cover.

Carbine No.3 Modified Model

Date	1932	Used By	Signal Troops	Mag Cover	Present	Handguard	Long	Sling Swivels	Side/Under

Dutch signal troops were in need of a carbine suitable for being slung on the back.  With surplus No.3 NMs available, this model was produced by removing the forward sling swivel and installing one on the left side of the forestock.

Carbine No.5

Date	1938	Used By	Artillery, Anti-Air	Mag Cover	Absent	Handguard	Long	Sling Swivels	Under/Under

With the onset of WWII, the Dutch sought to better arm their growing number of troops.  Instead of producing new rifles, they delved into the large stores of WWI long guns.  Original M1895 rifles were cut down, stocks cut down, handguards fitted.  The original rear sling swivels were moved further back and their original holes filled.  The swivel-less front bands had them soldered on.  Apparently these carbines were given handguards but it appears some were already missing in Dutch service before export.  We’ve covered it here.

Navy

Rifle 1895 Naval

Date	1895	Used By	Infantry	Mag Cover	Absent	Handguard	Full	Sling Swivels	Under/Under

The Naval long rifle is just about identical to the Army’s.  The telltale will be that Naval rifles do not have a letter prefix in the serial number.

Carbine M95 Naval

Date	1939	Used By	Navy	Mag Cover	Absent	Handguard	Short	Sling Swivels	Under/Under

These carbines follow the same reasoning and process as the No.5.  They are unique, however, with their heavy front sight protectors.

KNIL

Rifle 1895 KNIL

Date	1897	Used By	Infantry	Mag Cover	Absent	Handguard	Full	Sling Swivels	Under/Under

Originally these guns would have been nearly identical to the Army and Navy guns.  The only initial difference was that the handguard uses an additional spring clip to hold it on.  In 1911 the finger rest was lengthened and also now turns 90 degrees upwards behind the sight.

Carbine M95 Cavalry

Date	1898	Used By	Cavalry	Mag Cover	Present	Handguard	Absent	Sling Swivels	Side/Side

First we should probably point out that KNIL carbines are easy to spot by their slings.  Sling swivels on the Army and Navy rifles are simple, heavy wire we’re used to seeing on nearly every other milsurp.  The KNILs use stamped steel, shaped into a T-like loop.  They are smaller looking at first glance and definitely unique in milsurp circles.

This cavalry carbine released as a colonial compliment to the No.1 OM.  In 1902 the solid butt plate was replaced with a skeletonized version that left exposed wood.  In 1912 this carbine was updated to include a standard bayonet lug forward barrel band.  In 1933 the left-side sling loop was replaced with a larger, circular one.

Carbine M95 Constabulary

Date	1898	Used By	Constabulary	Mag Cover	Absent	Handguard	Absent	Sling Swivels	Under/Under

These uncommon carbines are derived from the cavalry model.  Otherwise identical, they lack a magazine cover and have underside sling swivels.  Like the cavalry, these can also be found with bayonet lugs.

Carbine M95 Artillery

Date	1904	Used By	Artillery	Mag Cover	Absent	Handguard	Absent	Sling Swivels	Under/Under

Perhaps one of the strangest Dutch carbines, these artillery models use a “plug in” bayonet without grip plates.  Immediately identifiable by the unusual barrel band with a hole in the base.

Carbine M95 Genie

Date	1917	Used By	Pioneers, Engineers	Mag Cover	Absent	Handguard	Absent	Sling Swivels	Under/Under

This engineer’s model was introduced in order to arm specialty troops with a carbine accepting a standard bayonet pommel.