Mauser M1916 Short Rifle
Fabrica de Armas Oviedo · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1916
Also known as: Fusil Mauser Modelo 1916, M1916 Spanish Mauser, Spanish Mauser Model 1916
Overview
The Mauser M1916 Short Rifle is a Spanish bolt-action service rifle developed from the Model 1893 Mauser and adopted by the Spanish Army in 1916. Built on the Mauser controlled-feed action with an internal five-round box magazine loaded via stripper clips, it was originally chambered in 7x57mm Mauser. Manufactured chiefly at the Fabrica de Armas de Oviedo, it served through the Rif War and Spanish Civil War, and from the 1940s onward many examples were rebarreled to 7.92x57mm Mauser and later to 7.62x51mm NATO.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3800 g (134.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1041 mm (40.98") |
| Barrel Length | 552 mm (21.73") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Two Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 850 m/s (2789 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3400 J (2508 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3700 m (4046 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7x57mm Mauser · primary — also known as 7mm Mauser, .275 Rigby, 7x57
- 7.92x57mm Mauser — also known as 8mm Mauser, 7.92 Mauser, 8x57 IS, 7.9x57mm
- 7.62x51mm NATO · 7.62x51mm NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62 NATO, .308 Win
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Stripper Clip, Internal Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Wing Safety, Third Locking Lug
- Features: Controlled Round Feed, Stripper Clip Guide, Tangent Leaf Rear Sight, Bent Bolt Handle
Variants
- FR7 - 7.62 Nato Conversion
Service history
Operators
- Spanish Army · adopted 1916 · as Fusil Mauser Modelo 1916
- Guardia Civil
Conflicts
- Rif War (1920-1926)
- Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
- Ifni War (1957-1958)
Production
Production years: 1916-1951
Produced primarily at Fabrica de Armas de Oviedo, with wartime output also from Industrias de Guerra de Cataluna during the Spanish Civil War
Origin
Country of origin: Spain
Designer: Paul Mauser
Discontinued: 1951
Notes
Later 7.62x51mm NATO conversions produced the FR7 training/reserve rifle with a shortened barrel and aperture sights, a companion to the FN FAL-based CETME-era arsenal.
Background
Cheap and plentiful, surplus M1916 rifles were sold widely in the 1950s-60s; many buyers who chambered NATO 7.62x51mm ammunition in unconverted 7x57mm actions risked dangerous overpressure, giving the rifle a lasting reputation for caution among collectors.