Mauser-Vergueiro M1904
Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1904
Also known as: Espingarda m/904, Vergueiro-Mauser, Portuguese Mauser
Overview
The Mauser-Vergueiro M1904 is a Portuguese bolt-action service rifle chambered in 6.5x58mm Vergueiro. Designed by army officer Jose Alberto Vergueiro and manufactured by Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken (DWM) in Berlin, it combined a Mauser-style action with a split-bridge receiver and a simplified bolt, feeding from a 5-round internal box magazine loaded by stripper clip. It was Portugal's standard infantry rifle in the early 20th century and saw service through both World Wars.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3920 g (138.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1225 mm (48.23") |
| Barrel Length | 735 mm (28.94") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Rotating Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 715 m/s (2346 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2557 J (1886 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2000 m (2187 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 12 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 6.5x58mm Vergueiro · primary — also known as 6.5mm Vergueiro, 6.5x58mm Portuguese
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Stripper Clip, Internal Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Stripper Clip Loading, Tangent Leaf Rear Sight, Split Bridge Receiver
Variants
- Mauser-Vergueiro M1904/39 — Rebarreled
Service history
Operators
- Portuguese Army · adopted 1904 · as Espingarda 6,5mm m/904
- Brazilian Army
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
- Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 105,000 · Production years: 1904-1907
Approximately 100,000 produced for Portugal plus around 5,000 for Brazil; manufactured by DWM in Germany
Origin
Country of origin: Portugal
Designer: Jose Alberto Vergueiro
Discontinued: 1937
Notes
Many M1904 rifles were rebarreled in the 1930s to 7.92x57mm Mauser as the M1904/39, with a shortened barrel.
Background
Portugal's M1904 was one of the few Mauser-derived service rifles whose bolt used a split-bridge receiver and a unique single-piece bolt design, the work of officer Jose Alberto Vergueiro rather than the Mauser brothers themselves.