Werndl M1873/77 Extra-Korps-Gewehr
Österreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft (Steyr) · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1877
Also known as: Extrakorpsgewehr M1873/77, Werndl Special Corps Rifle M1873/77, M1873/77 Extra-Corps Rifle
Overview
The Werndl M1873/77 Extra-Korps-Gewehr was a short single-shot service rifle of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, issued to special-corps troops such as engineers, pioneers, artillery train and support units who needed a handier weapon than the full-length infantry rifle. Built on Josef Werndl's rotating cylindrical breechblock (the 'Tabernakelverschluss' drum breech) with an external hammer, the M1873 pattern moved the hammer to pivot inside the wrist of the stock and used flattened receiver sides for a stronger action. The /77 update rechambered it for the more powerful 11x58mmR Werndl centerfire cartridge. With a 566 mm barrel and roughly 1005 mm overall length, it was substantially shorter than the M1873 infantry rifle while retaining the same breech system and a lug for a saber bayonet.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3300 g (116.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1005 mm (39.57") |
| Barrel Length | 566 mm (22.28") |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 445 m/s (1460 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2376 J (1752 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 9 rpm |
| 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, 11mm Gewehr-patrone M.77
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech Loaded
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Rotating Breechblock, Tabernakelverschluss Drum Breech, Internal Hammer Action, Flattened Receiver Sides, Saber Bayonet Lug, Metallic Cartridge
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Austro-Hungarian Army · adopted 1877 · as Extra-Korps-Gewehr M1873/77
Conflicts
- Occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1878)
Production
Estimated total produced: 100,000 · Production years: 1877-1885
Approximate figure for Werndl carbines and special-corps short rifles combined; produced by OEWG Steyr
Origin
Country of origin: Austria
Designer: Josef Werndl
Discontinued: 1885
Notes
The Extra-Korps-Gewehr was a shortened special-corps version of the M1873 Werndl, distinct from the full infantry rifle and the cavalry carbine. Early M1873 arms fired the 11mm M.67 black-powder cartridge; the M1873/77 conversion adopted the 11x58mmR (M.77) round. Sights were graduated in paces (roughly 200–800). Made by Österreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft at Steyr.
Background
Extra-Korps rifles were the compact companions of Austria-Hungary's technical branches — sappers, pioneers and gun-train crews — men whose hands were usually full of tools, so they carried a rifle nearly a foot shorter than the line infantry's Werndl.