Swiss Mannlicher M1893 Carbine
Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft (SIG) · Carbine · Out Of Production · 1893
Also known as: Mannlicher Model 1893 Cavalry Carbine, Kavalleriekarabiner 1893, Swiss Mannlicher Carbine M1893
Overview
The Swiss Mannlicher M1893 is a straight-pull bolt-action cavalry carbine designed by Ferdinand von Mannlicher and adopted by Switzerland for its mounted troops. After attempts to shorten the Schmidt-Rubin 1889 rifle proved unwieldy on horseback, the Swiss held trials in which Mannlicher's compact straight-pull design was selected over competing turning-bolt and Mauser-pattern entries. Chambered in the 7.5x53.5mm GP90 cartridge and fed from a six-round fixed box magazine, roughly 7,750 were built by SIG Neuhausen and Waffenfabrik Bern. The carbines were disliked by Swiss troopers for being difficult to field strip, and many were deliberately damaged in service; it was soon supplanted by the Schmidt-Rubin Model 1905 cavalry carbine, leaving surviving examples rare today.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3100 g (109.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1018 mm (40.08") |
| Barrel Length | 550 mm (21.65") |
| Action Type | Straight Pull |
| Firing Mechanism | Closed Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Two Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Fixed Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 590 m/s (1936 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2384 J (1758 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1200 m (1312 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 270 mm (10.63") |
| Number of Grooves | 3 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.5x53.5mm GP90 · primary — also known as 7.5x53.5mm Schmidt-Rubin, GP90, 7.5x53.5 Swiss
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Charger Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Straight Pull Bolt, Fixed Box Magazine, Charger Loaded, Folding Ladder Sight, Cavalry Carbine
Service history
Operators
- Swiss Armed Forces · adopted 1893 · as Kavalleriekarabiner 1893
Production
Estimated total produced: 7,750 · Production years: 1893-1896
First ~4,250 by SIG Neuhausen; remainder by Waffenfabrik Bern (W+F) from serial 4,251.
Origin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Designer: Ferdinand von Mannlicher
Discontinued: 1896
Notes
Initial production of about 4,250 units came from SIG Neuhausen, with the balance produced by Waffenfabrik Bern (W+F) from serial 4,251 onward. Total production was approximately 7,750 carbines.
Background
Swiss troopers reportedly hated the carbine because its straight-pull bolt was awkward to disassemble and the gun hard to field strip; many were intentionally smashed during drills, which combined with the small production run makes surviving examples scarce.