All right, by popular request we’ve broken down the mysterious world of Mannlicher straight pull rifles.  I hope this rudimentary guide helps you get sorted on what you want or what you have!

Austria, Hungary, and Bulgaria

 

Rifle Model 1886

Cartridge	11x58mmR	Length	52″	Weight	10lbs	Sling Swivels	Under	Bayonet Lug	Present

This straight pull rifle was Mannlicher’s first to be adopted for wide military use.  It is a step up from a trials model 1885 featuring simplifications especially to the magazine.  It incorporates a wedge-locking bolt and his revolutionary packet loading magazine.  Examples are uncommon as most in Austro-Hungarian service were later upgraded.  Most found today were sold to other nations and thereby escaped conversion.

Chambering the 11mm black powder cartridge, the original 1886 rifles are best recognized by their large bore barrels and bigger magazines.

Rifle Model 1888

Cartridge	8x50mmR	Length	50.8″	Weight	9.9lbs	Sling Swivels	Under	Bayonet Lug	Present

The French adoption of the Lebel and its smokeless, small-bore cartridge sent shock waves through the arms designs in Europe.  Scrambling to compete, the Austro-Hungarian Empire adopted an 8mm cartridge fired by compressed black powder in an attempt fill the temporary gap while smokeless research was conducted further.  This model 1888 was both constructed from original 1886 rifles and newly manufactured.  Examples of the former have been difficult for us to locate, so we’ve omitted it for now.  They may not be easy to distinguish from the later 1886/90.

Original 1888 rifles are easily spotted by their smaller magazines and bores, but they retain their original rear sights without steel fittings over top.  Their original sights will be marked up to 2,500 Schritt (an old unit of measure for a pace).

Rifle Model 1890

Cartridge	8x50mmR	Length	50.4″	Weight	9.9lbs	Sling Swivels	Under	Bayonet Lug	Present

Again, trying to keep up with the French, the Empire finally hit on a reliable semi-smokeless load for their 8mm cartridge.  This would later become completely smokeless but remained compatible with the same rifles.  The Model 1890 rifle was developed to pair with this new cartridge and is largely the same as the previous 1888.

The easiest spot for an original Model 1890 is that it lacks a clip-on sight adjustment.  Obviously this and an original 1888 will be very similar so take a look at the rear sight markings.  The 1890 is marked up to 3,000 Schritt.

Rifle Model 1886/90

Cartridge	8x50mmR	Length	50.4″	Weight	10.4lbs	Sling Swivels	Under	Bayonet Lug	Present

With the adoption of the M.90 cartridge previous stocks of rifles were converted to the new pattern.  The original 1886 rifles were rebarreled.  A correction plate was attached overtop the rear sight which adjusted its use to fit with the flatter shooting cartridge.  Two shims were riveted into the magazines to accommodate the smaller cartridge.

Identifying an 86/90 is simple because of its oversized magazine paired with the 8mm barrel and updated sights.

Rifle Model 1888/90

Cartridge	8x50mmR	Length	50.8″	Weight	9.9lbs	Sling Swivels	Under	Bayonet Lug	Present

Again, Model 1888 rifles were updated to the 1890 pattern.

Identify an 88/90 as it looks just like an 1890 but has a corrective plate set over the rear sight.  Austro-Hungarian plates cover the entire profile of the sight base, Bulgarian examples use a simpler clip over that only covers 1/3rd of the sides and has a distinct half-circle shape.

Siam also acquired the remnants of an unpaid Bulgarian contract and there are reports of these guns marked with Thai Chakra and language.  If you have an example of your own, please share it with us.  There are also reports of a Siamese carbine variant but we were unable to turn up definitive proof.

Carbine Model 1890

Cartridge	8x50mmR	Length	39.6″	Weight	7.2lbs	Sling Swivels	Side	Bayonet Lug	Absent

Weight concerns had delayed the adoption of an improved cavalry carbine for several years.  By then Mannlicher had revisited earlier designs for a rotating bolt, straight pull locking system.  This design used a bolt shroud with bolt body set inside.  Set with helical grooves, forward motion on the shroud would rotate the bolt body, and thereby the locking lugs.

The Model 1890 action was strong and capable of functioning with less overall metal and finally allowed for a cavalry repeating carbine of acceptable weight.  It was provided without handguard, bayonet, or stacking rod.  Sling points were along the side.

 

Extra-Korps Model 1890

Cartridge	8x50mmR	Length	39.6″	Weight	7.7lbs	Sling Swivels	Under	Bayonet Lug	Present

The Gendarmerie needed a policeman’s carbine and chose the Model 1890 action.  In this iteration it was adopted with the bayonet lug but without the stacking rod.

Stutzen Model 1890

Cartridge	8x50mmR	Length	39.6″	Weight	7.7lbs	Sling Swivels	Under	Bayonet Lug	Present

The Navy appreciated the Model 1890 action and adopted it as a short rifle.  The telling difference is the presence of underside slings and forward band with bayonet lug and stacking rod.

Rifle Model 1895

Cartridge	8x50mmR	Length	50.5″	Weight	8lbs	Sling Swivels	Under	Bayonet Lug	Present

The 1890 carbines were a huge success and lead to the adoption of a Model 1895 infantry rifle.  These were slightly improved actions that feature full length handguards and long ranged sights.  The biggest distinction from the 1890 is that the round cocking piece was replaced with a “beaver tail” thumb piece.

Model 1895 rifles were produced in both Steyr (Austria) and Budapest (Hungary) and will be marked accordingly on their crests.  Some were sold on contract to Bulgaria and those display a shield with roaring lion.

 

Stutzen Model 1895

Cartridge	8x50mmR	Length	39.6″	Weight	6.9lbs	Sling Swivels	Under	Bayonet Lug	Present

Another short rifle like the previous 1890.  These were fitted with sling swivels only on the bottom and do have a bayonet lug and cleaning rod.  Like the Cavalry model, many of these were later rebuilt to feature both types of slings, making originals rare.

 

Carbine Model 1895

Cartridge	8x50mmR	Length	39.6″	Weight	6.5lbs	Sling Swivels	Side	Bayonet Lug	Absent

Just like with the 1890, a cavalry model was prepared with no bayonet lug or stacking rod and side mounted sling swivels.  Most of these original carbines would later be rebuilt into various other models so they are very rare.

 

Carbine Model 1895 with Stutzen Lug

Cartridge	8x50mmR	Length	39.6″	Weight	7lbs	Sling Swivels	Side	Bayonet Lug	Present

This model was created in order to give cavalry a bayonet.  It uses the Stutzen’s barrel band and is otherwise identical to the original carbine.  Another victim of rebuilds, this variant is rare.

 

Carbine-Stutzen Model 1895

Cartridge	8x50mmR	Length	39.6″	Weight	7.1lbs	Sling Swivels	Both	Bayonet Lug	Present

All right, this and the next model get a bit weird thanks to the pressures of WWI.  Seeking a universal short rifle, carbines and stutzen were fitted with both types of slings.  This particular model has both sets of swivels and bayonet lug.  You can spot this from the next model by its fixed, solid sling point on the barrel band and the 5″ gap between the bands.  You can also spot this model from the later 1895/30 because the front sight is attached directly to the barrel and is not banded.

 

Stutzen-Carbine Model 1895

Cartridge	8x50mmR	Length	39.6″	Weight	7.2lbs	Sling Swivels	Both	Bayonet Lug	Present

Now, this looks a lot like the previous but the barrel band mounted sling point is hinged and made from wire.  The gap between bands is 7″, which also helps with identification.  You can also spot this model from the later 1895/30 because the front sight is attached directly to the barrel and is not banded.

Rifle Model 1895/30

Cartridge	8x56mmR	Length	50.5″	Weight	8lbs	Sling Swivels	Under	Bayonet Lug	Present

In 1930 a new 8x56mm spitzer cartridge was adopted by both Austria and later Hungary and Bulgaria as well.  Many original Model 1895 long rifles were updated to this pattern.  The upgrade was simple as only the chamber was modified, being reamed deeper for the 56mm case length.  Modified rifles will be marked over the chamber with a large “S” if done in Austria or an “H” if done in Hungary.

Stutzen Model 1895/30

Cartridge	8x56mmR	Length	39.6″	Weight	7.1lbs	Sling Swivels	Both	Bayonet Lug	Present

While adopting a new cartridge the Austrian and Hungarian armies also centered on a universal short rifle standard (like Germany’s Kar98K) and began a large scale refurbishment program in addition to rechambering their existing stocks of guns.  All of the original 1895 carbines/stutzens were fitted with side slings.  When possible the original bands were used but new ones were also made from existing underside-only bands.  These are easy to spot as they have a simple fixed wire sling point welded to the band.  Those bands that once had hanging sling swivels were given a small spacer.  Underside sling points in the stock will be filled with wood plugs.

 

Stutzen Model 1895/30 From Long Rifle

Cartridge	8x56mmR	Length	39.6″	Weight	7.1lbs	Sling Swivels	Both	Bayonet Lug	Present

As stated above, the short rifle was going to be the new pattern for Austria.  Existing surpluses of long rifles meant new production was unnecessary and a conversion process was begun to shorten the barrels, stocks, and refit the front sights.  Cut down rifles are easiest to spot by their long rear sight leaf.

Hungarian conversions (designated the “31M”) will be marked with an “H” and often have a special sight protector.

Bulgaria and Austria used an “S.”  Austrian examples with have a “w-3X” (with x as the year in 1930) stamped on the chamber as an acceptance mark and their “S” appears to be a thick, sans-serif mark.  These must be struck or over-struck digits above 30, as pre-WWI marked dates may have been captured or bought by other nations post war.  These are rarely found with a unique sight protector.

In 1934 Bulgaria adopted the M.30 cartridge and began conversion as well (which is why some collectors have called this the M95/34).  Bulgarian conversions lack an acceptance date and seem to use a thin, serif “S” marking.  Bulgarian examples occasionally have an attached sight protector as well.

Stutzen Model 1890/30

Cartridge	8x56mmR	Length	39.6″	Weight	7.1lbs	Sling Swivels	Both	Bayonet Lug	Present

These are somewhat uncommon but follow the same pattern as the M95/30 in that original M90 carbines and stutzens were converted to chamber the 8x56mmR cartridge and conform to the new universal short rifle pattern.  These were slightly more modified than the 95/30 as the cocking pieces appear to have been replaced in some but perhaps not all instances.  They can be identified by looking just like an M95/30 but with the receiver marked CE WG Steyr.

 Other Nations

Chinese Kuaili 1888

Cartridge	7.62x55mmR	Length	52″	Weight	9.5lbs	Sling Swivels	Under	Bayonet Lug	Present

These unusual and rare rifles are a direct derivative of the Mannlicher Model 1888 rifle produced in China in the early 1890’s.  We’d love to cover them in further detail if ever given access to an example.

 

 

Swiss Carbine Model 1893

Cartridge	7.5x55mmR	Length	40″	Weight	6.8lbs	Sling Swivels	Side	Bayonet Lug	Absent

The Swiss had adopted their own straight pull rifle in the Schmidt-Rubin 1889.  Its incredibly long action made any carbine variations difficult to adopt, mostly because of their extremely short barrels.  Trials were held for a suitable replacement and the Mannlicher straight pull required very little change in use to meet their troops expectations.

So a modified version of the Model 1890 Carbine was setup to Swiss specification and features a detachable box magazine fed from Swiss stripper clips.  Overall the carbine met lukewarm acceptance and complaints about inaccuracy and complicated disassembly doomed it to be replaced with a Schmit-Rubin variation.

Yugoslavian M95/24 and M95M

Cartridge	7.92x57mm	Length	43.1″	Weight	8.5lbs	Sling Swivels	Both	Bayonet Lug	Present

With a large number of surplus Mannlicher Model 1895 rifles on hand, Yugoslavia began a program to convert them into a standard pattern resembling their Mauser Model 1924 rifles.  These were changed from en-bloc to stripper-clip fed and rebarreled to 7.92mm.  Handguards were fitted as well.  We’ve covered this rifle in some detail before.

Belgian M1888/24

Cartridge	7.92x57mm	Length	~43.6″	Weight	??lbs	Sling Swivels	Under	Bayonet Lug	Present

This gun remains something of a mystery.  We know that it was converted to 7.92mm in Belgium (much like the Yugoslavian M95M).  They feature Mosin-Nagant styled sights and full handguards.  But, who was expected to use it?  It may have been put together for expected export in China given the cartridge, but this is speculation. Even the date is uncertain and is actually taken from the association with the M95M.  This gun is credited for causing early confusion about possible Belgian production of the M95/24.

We do know that roughly 5,000 were later provided to Greece as aid during WWII, so this is the strongest association with the gun.