Serbian Mauser M1899
Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken · Rifle · Discontinued · 1899
Also known as: Mauser-Koka, M1899 Serbian Mauser, Model 1899 Mauser
Overview
The Serbian Mauser M1899 is a bolt-action service rifle adopted by the Kingdom of Serbia in 1899 and chambered for the 7x57mm Mauser cartridge. Based on the Mauser Model 1895 pattern, it used a turning-bolt action feeding from a five-round integral box magazine loaded by stripper clip. Because the Mauser factory at Oberndorf was at capacity filling a Turkish contract, the full Serbian order of roughly 90,000 rifles was produced by Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken (DWM) of Berlin and delivered by the end of 1900. It served as the standard infantry rifle of the Serbian Army through the Balkan Wars and the First World War.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4030 g (142.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1230 mm (48.43") |
| Barrel Length | 740 mm (29.13") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 700 m/s (2297 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2744 J (2024 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2000 m (2187 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7x57mm Mauser · primary — also known as 7mm Mauser, .275 Rigby, 7x57
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Stripper Clip, Internal Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Charger Loading, Five Round Integral Magazine, Controlled Round Feed, Tangent Rear Sight
Variants
- Serbian Mauser M1899/07 - Improved
- Serbian Mauser M1899C - Carbine
Service history
Operators
- Kingdom of Serbia · adopted 1899 · as M1899
- Kingdom of Yugoslavia · adopted 1918
Conflicts
- First Balkan War (1912-1913)
- Second Balkan War (1913)
- World War I (1914-1918)
Production
Estimated total produced: 90,000 · Production years: 1899-1900
Full Serbian contract of approximately 90,000 rifles produced by DWM Berlin and delivered by the end of 1900
Origin
Country of origin: Serbia
Designer: Paul Mauser
Discontinued: 1900
Notes
Many M1899 rifles were later rebuilt at the state arsenal in Kragujevac as the M1899/07. The M1899 cartridge predated the universal Serbian adoption of the rimmed conversions, and these early 7x57mm rifles are sometimes called the Mauser-Koka after the Serbian officer who oversaw the program.
Background
Serbia favored the 7x57mm Mauser, the same cartridge and small-bore smokeless concept that the Boers had used to devastating effect against the British in South Africa, giving the Serbian infantry a flat-shooting modern rifle on the eve of the Balkan Wars.