Ottoman Mauser M1887
Mauser Werke · Rifle · Discontinued · 1887
Also known as: Turkish Mauser Model 1887, Mauser Model 1887, Türk Mauser 1887
Overview
The Ottoman Mauser M1887 is a black-powder, bolt-action repeating rifle and the first in the long series of Mauser rifles supplied to the Ottoman Empire. Built at Mauser's Oberndorf works, it refined the German Model 1871/84 design with a strengthened action featuring an additional rear locking lug and a reduced 9.5x60R caliber. It fed from an eight-round Kropatschek-style tubular magazine under the barrel and included a magazine cutoff allowing single-shot fire while holding the magazine in reserve. The original contract called for 500,000 rifles and 50,000 carbines, but only around 200,000 were delivered before the design was rendered obsolete by the arrival of small-caliber smokeless-powder rifles.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4250 g (149.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1250 mm (49.21") |
| Barrel Length | 760 mm (29.92") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 8 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Tubular |
| Muzzle Velocity | 570 m/s (1870 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3005 J (2216 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1600 m (1750 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9.5x60R Turkish Mauser · primary — also known as 9.5x60R, 9.5mm Turkish Mauser M.87, 9.5x60(R)mm
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Tubular Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Magazine Cutoff
- Features: Tubular Magazine, Kropatschek Style Feed, Magazine Cutoff Selector, Rear Locking Lug, Cleaning Rod
Variants
- Ottoman Mauser M1887 Carbine - Carbine
Service history
Operators
- Ottoman Army · adopted 1887 · as Model 1887
Production
Estimated total produced: 200,000 · Production years: 1887-1890
Contract for 500,000 rifles and 50,000 carbines; only about 200,000 delivered before being declared obsolete.
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Paul Mauser
Discontinued: 1890
Notes
Often considered the last black-powder cartridge rifle produced by Mauser. It was quickly superseded in Ottoman service by the smokeless 7.65mm Mauser Model 1890.
Background
Adopted just as Europe raced to rearm with small-caliber smokeless rifles, the M1887 was technologically outdated almost the moment it entered Ottoman service, making surviving examples in its now-unobtainable 9.5x60R chambering prized collector curiosities.