Werndl M1867/77
Österreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft (Steyr) · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1877
Also known as: Werndl–Holub M1867/77, M67/77
Overview
The Werndl M1867/77 is a single-shot breech-loading black-powder infantry rifle, an 1877 upgrade of the original 1867 Werndl–Holub adopted by the Austro-Hungarian army. It retains the distinctive rotating drum ('crane') breechblock operated by a thumb lever, but is rechambered for the more powerful bottlenecked 11x58mmR Werndl M.77 cartridge. Sturdy and reliable, it served as Austria-Hungary's standard rifle until the Mannlicher repeaters arrived and remained in reserve use through the First World War.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4400 g (155.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1285 mm (50.59") |
| Barrel Length | 844 mm (33.23") |
| Action Type | Rolling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 450 m/s (1476 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2430 J (1792 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1750 m (1914 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 11x58mmR Werndl · primary — also known as 11mm Werndl, 11x58R Austrian, M1877, 11.15x58mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breechloader
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Hammer
- Features: Rotating Drum Breechblock, Back Action Lock, Thumb Operated Breech Lever, Walnut Full Stock, Socket Bayonet Lug
Variants
- Werndl M1867/77 Cavalry Carbine - Carbine
- Werndl M1867/77 Jäger Rifle - Short Rifle
Service history
Operators
- Austro-Hungarian Army · adopted 1877 · as M1867/77
- Argentine Army
Conflicts
- Austro-Hungarian occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1878)
- World War I (1914-1918)
Production
Production years: 1877-1888
Figure reflects the M1867/77 conversion and production run; large numbers of earlier M1867 rifles were upgraded rather than built new
Origin
Country of origin: Austria
Designer: Josef Werndl
Discontinued: 1888
Notes
The /77 designation marks rifles rechambered from the earlier straight-cased 11x42mmR M.67 cartridge to the bottlenecked 11x58mmR M.77 cartridge; a later second-model Werndl moved the external hammer inside the lockplate.
Background
The Werndl rifle's success made Josef Werndl's Steyr works into one of Europe's largest arms factories; to power his expanding plant he built one of the first hydroelectric installations in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, briefly making the town of Steyr among the best-lit in Europe.