Steyr M95 Stutzen
Steyr Mannlicher · Carbine · Out Of Production · 1895
Also known as: Repetier-Stutzen M.95, Mannlicher M95 Stutzen, Steyr-Mannlicher M95 Stutzen, M95/30 Stutzen, Steyr M95 Carbine
Overview
The Steyr M95 Stutzen is the short-rifle (carbine) variant of the Austro-Hungarian Mannlicher M1895 straight-pull bolt-action service rifle, designed by Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher and produced by Oesterreichische Waffenfabrik Steyr and Hungarian FEG. The Stutzen ('short rifle') was issued to specialist and second-line troops who needed a handier weapon than the full-length infantry rifle but a longer arm than the cavalry Kavalleriekarabiner. It shares the M1895's defining straight-pull bolt: rather than the lift-pull-push-turn cycle of a Mauser, the bolt handle is drawn straight back and pushed straight forward while a rotating bolt head locks into the receiver, allowing a trained soldier to deliver roughly 30-35 aimed rounds per minute. It feeds from a five-round en-bloc clip loaded from the top, with the empty clip falling free through the bottom of the magazine after the last round is chambered. Originally chambered in 8x50mmR Mannlicher, the bulk of surviving Stutzen carbines were rebarreled and rechambered in the 1930s for the more powerful 8x56mmR cartridge as the Austrian M95/30 and Hungarian 31M, both marked with a prominent 'S'. The M95 Stutzen served through World War I and remained in frontline and reserve use through World War II.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3190 g (112.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1003 mm (39.49") |
| Barrel Length | 480 mm (18.90") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Two Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | En Bloc Clip |
| Muzzle Velocity | 680 m/s (2231 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3005 J (2216 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2000 m (2187 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 35 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 250 mm (9.84") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 8x56mmR Mannlicher · primary — also known as 8x56R Hungarian, 8x56R M30 S, 31.M cartridge
- 8x50mmR Mannlicher — also known as 8mm Mannlicher M1893, 8x50R Austrian Mannlicher, Patrone M93
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: En Bloc Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Bolt Mounted Wing Safety
- Features: Straight Pull Bolt, Rotating Bolt Head, En Bloc Clip Loading, Bottom Ejection Clip, Open Iron Sights, Bayonet Lug, Carbine Length Barrel
Variants
- Mannlicher M1895 Stutzen (Repetier-Stutzen M.95) — Short Rifle
- Mannlicher M95/30 Stutzen — Austrian Conversion 8x56r
- Mannlicher 31M Stutzen — Hungarian Conversion 8x56r
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Austro-Hungarian Army · adopted 1895 · as Repetier-Stutzen M.95
- Austrian Bundesheer · adopted 1930 · as M95/30 Stutzen
- Royal Hungarian Army · adopted 1931 · as 31M
- Bulgarian Land Forces · adopted 1903 · as M1895
- Finnish Defence Forces · adopted 1940 · as 8.30-31
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
- Balkan Wars (1912-1913)
- Hungarian-Romanian War (1918-1919)
- Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Production years: 1895-1918
The Stutzen was one of three principal M1895 length variants (infantry rifle, Stutzen, cavalry carbine) produced as part of the roughly 3.5 million M1895-pattern arms built by Steyr and Hungarian FEG. Large numbers of Stutzen carbines were rebarreled to 8x56mmR as the M95/30 and 31M during the 1930s.
Origin
Country of origin: Austria
Designer: Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
The Stutzen is distinguished from the full infantry rifle by its shorter barrel and forearm, a side-mounted sling configuration, and a stacking hook/bayonet arrangement suited to mountain and specialist troops. Like all M1895 pattern arms, the open en-bloc clip system and bottom ejection made it fast-firing but vulnerable to mud and snow. Most surviving examples encountered today are the 8x56mmR M95/30 conversions; original unconverted 8x50mmR Stutzen carbines are comparatively scarce.
Background
Issued to engineers, mountain troops, and other specialists who found the full-length infantry rifle unwieldy, the M95 Stutzen kept the M1895's signature trick: the straight-pull bolt that let an Austro-Hungarian soldier fire so quickly that opposing infantry in the Alpine campaigns sometimes mistook a single rifleman for a machine gunner. Its handiness made it a favourite for close terrain, though the open clipway that gave it speed also gave it the same appetite for jamming on Carpathian mud and snow.