Mannlicher M1886

Steyr Mannlicher · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1886

Also known as: Repetier-Gewehr M.1886, Model 1886 Mannlicher

Overview

The Mannlicher M1886 was the world's first straight-pull bolt-action rifle adopted as a standard military service weapon. Designed by Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher and built by Oesterreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft (Steyr), it used a wedge-locked straight-pull action that allowed faster cycling than a conventional turn-bolt, fed by a five-round en-bloc clip into an integral magazine. It originally chambered the black-powder 11x58mmR Werndl cartridge.

Specifications

Weight (empty)4520 g (159.4 oz)
Overall Length1326 mm (52.20")
Barrel Length806 mm (31.73")
Action TypeBolt Action
Firing MechanismStriker Fired
Trigger TypeSingle Stage
Magazine Capacity5 rounds
Magazine TypeEn Bloc Clip
Muzzle Velocity440 m/s (1444 fps)
Muzzle Energy2323 J (1713 ft·lbf)
Effective Range400 m (437 yd)
Maximum Range1800 m (1968 yd)
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Number of Grooves4
Frame MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialWood
FinishBlued

Calibers

Features

Variants

Service history

Operators

Conflicts

Production

Estimated total produced: 100,000 · Production years: 1886-1887

About 100,000 produced before the design was rebarreled to 8mm or superseded by the M1888

Origin

Country of origin: Austria

Designer: Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher

Discontinued: 1887

Notes

The M1886 action used a wedge-block locking system rather than the rotating-bolt locking of the later M1895. Between 1888 and 1892 roughly 95% of M1886 rifles were rebarreled to the smaller 8x52mmR Mannlicher smokeless cartridge, becoming the M1886-88.

Background

The M1886 was the first straight-pull bolt-action rifle ever issued as a nation's standard service weapon, letting Austrian infantry work the bolt in a single back-and-forth motion years before other armies abandoned the twist-and-pull turn-bolt.