Today on Gus’ Gear I have a few long arms that I have added to the collection since I posted long arms about a year ago.
Starting with 3 very similar Austro-Hungarian rifles, one is a repeat as I misidentified it in the earlier post. The top rifle started its life as a Model 1886 chambered for the 11.15x58mmR black powder cartridge. It utilized an en-bloc clip that held 5 rounds of the 11mm cartridges. By 1888 it was realized that it would be beneficial to use a smaller diameter bullet and most of the M86 rifles were sleeved to accept the 8x52mmR black powder cartridge. This modified rifle was designated the Model 1888 and used the same en-bloc clip. Manufactured at Steyr in 1889. The bayonet shown with it is a standard ŒWG (ŐWG, Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft) marked M1888 bayonet.
By 1890 the need to convert to smokeless powder became necessary and the Model 88/90 rifle resulted (second rifle shown), being chambered for the 8x52mmR simi-smokeless powder cartridge. The sight was modified to accommodate the improved ballistics, but the easiest way to tell the difference from the 1888 and the 1888/90 is to observe where the barrel screws into the receiver, on the 1888 the larger diameter part of the barrel is shorter than on the 1888/90 making the receiver on the 88/90 look longer than on the 88. It was still possible to fire the 8x50R cartridges in the M88, which was chambered for the 8x52mmR cartridge, but the action was not designed for the higher pressures of the smokeless powder. These obsolete rifles were used during the war due to shortages of weapons, mostly behind the lines. It was made at Steyr in 1892. The bayonet shown with this rifle is a standard ŒWG marked M1888 bayonet that is also unit marked to the 30th Landsturm Battalion.
The bottom rifle is the same M1886/88/90 receiver with a stronger locking wedge and a newer barrel designed for the 8x50mmR smokeless cartridges, the sight is the standard M1895 sight and this rifle is designated the M1888/95. This model also has a wood hand guard that is attached above the barrel with a spring clip that is unique to the M88/95 and is often missing. It was manufactured at Steyr, but is undated. The bayonet shown with this rifle is a QII M1888 example. The QII marking indicates it is lower quality and these were usually exported to other countries such as Bulgaria and Siam
The top rifle is an M1870/87 Italian Vetterli-Vitali chambered for a 10.4mm black powder cartridge. The bayonet shown is an M1871 that has not been shortened. These obsolete rifles were used mainly by rear guard troops and were also exported to Russia to fill needs due to extreme shortages of long arms. Manufactured at Brescia in 1889.
The second rifle shown is an Italian Musketoon Model 1891 with integral folding bayonet. These are often referred to as cavalry carbines but they were also issued to Carabinieri and Bersaglieri Cyclists. It is chambered for the 6.5x52mm cartridge and uses a 6 round en-bloc clip that was also used with the standard battle rifle. Made at Brescia in 1909.
The third rifle is a Belgian 1889 Mauser rifle manufactured in The United States by Hopkins and Allen after the Belgian Armories were overrun by German forces in the early weeks of the Great War. It is chambered for the 7.65x53mm Mauser cartridge and has a 5 round magazine. It is shown with an M1889 carbine bayonet also made by Hopkins and Allen. These rifles are difficult to find in this part of the world and this one is a Vet bring back, probably from the Second World War. The interesting thing that indicates it is a bring back is the duffel cut to the stock just visible as a diagonal line between the rear and second band. This was a common practice with American soldiers so the rifle would fit in a smaller package (such as a duffel bag, hence the term duffel cut) for shipping home. Normally the cut is made under the rear band so that it is not visible when the stock is repaired. When I was trying to find an example of this rifle, three M1889 rifles became available in a short period of time and all had a cut in the same place, the others were straight cuts.
The top rifle is a Japanese Type 38 chambered in 6.5x51mmSR, it has a 5 round box magazine and is shown with a Type 30 bayonet. This example is a bit rough and missing a few parts but is an early manufactured rifle that would have seen service in the First World War.
The middle rifle is a Japanese Type 38 carbine chambered in 6.5x51mmSR with a Type 30 bayonet. This is probably a later manufactured weapon that was given to me by an acquaintance (he was a friend who petitioned me to have his status changed to acquaintance a couple of years ago), it has a bit of family history as it was once part of my father’s collection, it was sold in his estate auction and purchased by my acquaintance. When he found out that a Type 38 carbine would fit in my collection, he gifted it to me (the Christmas bow is still attached to the auction hang tag). I think the main reason he gave it to me is because the rifle racks were full and the addition of this carbine required a bit of reshuffling to make it fit. He likes to make my life difficult, and I really did not like him when we were friends.
The bottom rifle is a Russian Mosin-Nagant 1891 rifle chambered for 7.62x54R cartridges that can be loaded into the 5 round magazine with a stripper clip, manufactured at the Izhevsk Armory in 1916. Also shown is a standard Russian made Mosin-Nagant bayonet.
e top rifle is a Swiss Schmidt–Rubin 1896/11 rifle chambered for the 7.5x55mm Swiss cartridge. It is a straight pull rifle with a 6 round box magazine. This rifle was manufactured at the Waffen Fabrik, Bern.
The middle rifle is a Netherlandish Geweer 1895 chambered for the 6.5x53mmR cartridge in a 5 round Mannlicher en-block clip. Originally produced by the Steyr arsenal in Austria, this example was made at the Hembrug Armory in the Netherlands in 1916. The bayonet is an M1895 that was also manufactured in 1916, also at the Hembrug Armory.
The bottom rifle is a Swedish M1896 chambered for 6.5x55mm Mauser cartridge. It has a 5 round box magazine that can be loaded with the 5 round stripper clip, shown with the M1896 bayonet. It was made at the Karl Gustafs State Rifle Factory in 1899