- Serial Numbers; All 4000+ Old Gun. Some other catalogs featuring Steyr/Mannlicher Schoenauer products: Charles Osborne & Co. Daly & Gales 1903 Guns Catalogue. Mannlicher schoenauer a 6.5x54ms 'model 1903' take-down bolt-magazine sporting rifle, serial no. Mannlicher schoenauer All For Sale.
- Steyr Manlicher serial numbers Discussion in 'The Ask the Pros & What's It Worth? Forum' started by jagter, Dec 24, 2008.
- Mannlicher Characteristics. Rifle, and takedown. No reliable record has been forthcoming from Steyr to validate the actual numbers thereof. To witness, in a.
- The combined Steyr production was 83,000 rifles and 2074 stutzen/carbines. Earlier Steyr made Bulgarian Contract was 140,000 M1888 rifles and 10,218 M1890 carbines. About 9000 rifles and 500 carbines were sequestered at the start of WW1 in 1914, from the '1914 Budapest' Bulgarian Contract guns.
- Your search for the perfect hunting rifle has come to an end. Steyr rifles are renowned for their superior craftsmanship and deadly accuracy. Learn the difference a Steyr makes. For Those Who Know the Difference. See the Difference.
All of my Steyr rifle’s calibers are stamped on the left side or on the top of the receiver. The only numbers I can find on this rifle (stamped twice on left side) are 01716.50 I’ve Google searched these numbers but haven’t been able to determine caliber. Another number on the 'right side' is 2020 which I think is the serial #.
| Mannlicher–Schönauer | |
|---|---|
| Type | Bolt-action rifle |
| Place of origin | Austria-Hungary |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1903–1941 (military) |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | First Balkan War Second Balkan War World War I Greco-Turkish War World War II Greek Civil War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Otto Schönauer & Ferdinand Mannlicher |
| Designed | 1903 |
| Manufacturer | Steyr, Breda |
| No. built | ~350,000 |
| Variants | M1903/14 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 8.44 lb (3.83 kg) |
| Length | 48.25 inches (1,226 mm) |
| Barrel length | 28.55 inches (725 mm) |
| Cartridge | 6.5×54mm Mannlicher–Schönauer (military and Model 1903) 8×56mm Mannlicher–Schönauer (Model 1908) 9×56mm Mannlicher–Schönauer (Model 1905) 9.5×57mm Mannlicher–Schönauer (Model 1910) 30-06 Springfield, .243 Win and .270 Win (Model 72) |
| Action | bolt action |
| Muzzle velocity | 2,223 ft/s (678 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | ~600 metres (660 yards) |
| Feed system | 5 round rotary magazine |
| Sights | front barleycorn; rear tangent adj. from 200 to 2000 m |
The Mannlicher–Schönauer (sometimes Anglicized as 'Mannlicher Schoenauer,' Hellenized as Τυφέκιον Μάνλιχερ or Όπλον Μάνλιχερ-Σενάουερ) is a type of rotary-magazinebolt-action rifle produced by Steyr Mannlicher for the Greek Army in 1903 and later was also used in small numbers by the Austro-Hungarian Army. Post war use was for civilian use such as hunting and target practice.
Design characteristics[edit]
In the late 19th century, the classic Mannlicher designs for the Austro-Hungarian army were based on the en-bloc magazine, a straight-pull bolt mechanism and were designed for obsolete large caliber cartridges. Following the introduction of smokeless powder in the Lebel rifle at the end of the century, the Steyr factory worked on new Mannlicher designs, using more effective modern cartridges. These were offered for the consideration of the Austro-Hungarian Army, for export to other armies and for the civilian market.
The Mannlicher–Schönauer rifle was one of these novel designs. The rifle action was designed by Ferdinand Mannlicher and the rotary magazine by his protégé Otto Schönauer of the Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft (Austrian Arms-Manufacturing Company; now Steyr Mannlicher). While the more famous Mannlicher M1895 used the less common straight-pull bolt, the Mannlicher–Schönauer had a conventional turn-bolt, more reminiscent of the Gewehr 88 and other typical military bolt-action rifles. At first sight many confuse it with a Mauser rifle, due to the similar bolt and handguards. The Mannlicher–Schönauer may be identified by the split in the rear of the receiver which allows the bolt handle to pass through, and double as an emergency locking lug when closed, in case of failure of the primary locking lugs. The characteristic that sets this design apart from others of the era though was the innovative Schönauer rotating spool magazine.
The original design, introduced at the World Fair as the Model 1900, allowed the development of either service or sport versions depending on market response. While small sporting concerns, such as William Evans of London, purchased actions for their rifles, only the Greek Army expressed interest in the design for military use. Their specifications may have dictated some of the rifle's characteristics. The Greek Army requested two main versions, one long rifle of 1230 mm (this length is the total length of the arm, not the barrel) length and a carbine of 950 mm (length of arm, not barrel) length for use by cavalry and non-infantry troops. Both types were termed Model 1903. The weight was around 3.75 kg, the magazine capacity was five rounds and was fed by a stripper clip system, or by single rounds if need arose. The 6.5×54mm MS cartridge had traits of a hunting round; even though it had a projectile with a rounded point, it was ballistically efficient, improving accuracy at moderate ranges. The rotary magazine contributed to the smooth feeding and high rate of fire without jamming. The rifle was manufactured to high a standard and was made with tight tolerances, raising costs but improving reliability and durability. The 1903 Mannlicher–Schönauer carbine's light recoil, familiar iron sights—similar to those of the Mannlicher M1895; graduated up to 2000 m—and its quick-handling properties brought it widespread praise.
Service history[edit]
The military Mannlicher–Schönauer was not commercially successful, in the sense that it did not attract many contracts for export. The unusual design and calibre, the high quality, high cost, and the fact that no major power adopted it, contributed to the results. Other foreign Mannlicher clients opted instead for versions of the issue rifle of Austria-Hungary, the M1895, or simpler turn-bolt rifles like the M1893 and the Dutch M1895. The Mannlicher–Schönauer M1903 though fulfilled the specifications of the Greek Army and the first major contract was signed by the Greek Government in 1903. This contract was part of a major modernisation plan; until then the Greeks were using single-shot, black powderGras rifles. Most of the Greek Gras were made by the Steyr factory and that might partly explain how Mannlicher advertised their new design.
The Mannlicher–Schönauer rifle was the main small arm for the Greek military for some of the most active years of its modern history. Greece was almost continuously in state of war between the years 1904–1922 and 1940–1948. The version history of this rifle is rather confusing. It appears that the Greeks issued four main contracts. The original Steyr-made Y1903 ('Y' stands for model in Greek), started being supplied in 1906–07 to a total of about 130,000 long rifles and carbines. This was the main weapon during the victorious Balkan Wars of 1912–13
The Greeks seemed satisfied with the rifle's performance and their armoury was increased with a new batch of 50,000 rifles from Steyr in 1914, with the model Y1903/14, presenting minor improvements, most obviously the addition of a full handguard. These rifles were used for the first time in World War I. When the war broke out, the Austrians stopped the delivery of the rifles, as Greece chose to be neutral for the first three years.
Following the Asia Minor Campaign (1919–22), the Greeks were in urgent need of serviceable weapons and tried to get Mannlicher–Schönauer rifles from every possible source in order to replace war losses (almost 50% were captured by the Turks). Starting in 1927, Greece received about 105,000 'Breda' marked Y1903/14/27 rifles. This Italian factory might have used Austrian captured parts and machinery, or more likely, might have just mediated on behalf of the Steyr factory, due to treaty restrictions with the Austrian weapons manufacturer. These rifles saw extensive use against the Italians and Germans in World War II and many passed to the resistance fighters and thence to the combatants of the Greek Civil War that followed. The last official contract was in 1930, when they received 25,000 more Y1903/14/30 carbines, this time directly from the Steyr factory.
Despite its good performance, it was only the Greek government that chose the Mannlicher–Schönauer as official service rifle. The Portuguese military also favored the Mannlicher–Schönauer, but it was deemed too expensive and the locally-designed Mauser-Vergueiro, which paired a bolt based on that of the Mannlicher–Schönauer with an action based on the Mauser 98, was adopted instead. However, due to expediency other countries made limited use of them too. At the outbreak of World War I, a significant number of 6.5 mm Mannlicher–Schönauer rifles manufactured for Greece under the 1914 contract were sequestered and, due to urgent needs, used by the Austrian Army. After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, these were passed on as war reparations to the original intended recipient, the Greek Army. Small numbers also saw occasional use by Greece's enemies as captured war booty, but mainly by reserve units.
Philippidis gun and Rigopoulos improvement[edit]
The weapon was chosen instead of the Greek-designed 'Philippidis gun' ('Οπλον Φιλιππίδου), itself based on an earlier model of the same Austrian manufacturer, after intense lobbying against the Greek design in 1905. This caused a serious political crisis, with accusations about 'national treason' heard in the Greek Parliament.[1] The Philippidis gun was officially approved for a 1925 order, but, again, the Mannlicher–Schönauer was produced (by Breda in Italy), due to (reportedly) late submission of the Greek designs to the Italian manufacturer and/or cost factors.[1][2]
An improvement of the Mannlicher–Schönauer was designed by Lieutenant Rigas Rigopoulos during World War II (spring 1941), incorporating both modified and totally redesigned parts to dramatically increase firing performance. Though approved by the Greek military to be produced in Volos, the improvement never went into production, due to Greece's invasion by the Germans.[2][3]
Sporting use[edit]
A civilian version of the rifle, also introduced in 1903, proved very popular with deer and big game hunters worldwide. In the UK, along with the 7×57mm Mauser, the 6.5×54 MS probably accounted for more red deer during the 20th century than all other rifle cartridges put together.[citation needed] British sportsmen generally preferred a single-trigger mechanism, rather than the double set triggers popular in Europe. The 6.5×54 cartridge fell into disfavour with British deer-stalkers after the passage of the 1963 Deer Act because the bullet's muzzle velocity failed to reach the legally required minimum when fired from typically short, carbine-type MS barrels. The rifle continued to be manufactured in various forms (full, half-stock and take-down models) until 1972, and although production was interrupted during the Second World War, it eventually re-commenced in 1950. The most significant modification to be made to the rifle, during its period of manufacture, was introduced in 1925 when the action was lengthened to accommodate such cartridges as the .30-06 Springfield, .243 Winchester (carbine models), and .270 Winchester. Additionally, a magnum length version was produced in .257 Weatherby Magnum,.264 Winchester Magnum, .338 Winchester Magnum and .458 Winchester Magnum for the U.S. market, as well as 6.5×68mm, 8×68mm S, and others for the world market. The rifle remains popular due to its aesthetic qualities, compactness, the smoothness of its action and its precision and quality of manufacture. The rifle is also known for its low recoil when chambered for the original 6.5×54 cartridge.
The early years of the 20th century saw what was fundamentally the same rifle being offered in various other, larger Mannlicher–Schönauer calibres including the 8×56mm Mannlicher–Schönauer Model 1908, the 9×56mm Mannlicher–Schönauer Model 1905 and the 9.5×57mm Mannlicher–Schönauer Model 1910, but none of these sold as well as the 1903 Model in 6.5mm.
Legendary American writer Ernest Hemingway frequently used the rifle, and mentions it in some of his writings, most notably The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber. WDM 'Karamojo' Bell, a prominent elephant (ivory) hunter in Africa in the early 20th century, also used the rifle in its original 6.5×54 chambering with considerable success. The ability of the diminutive 6.5×54 cartridge to take the largest and most dangerous of the big game species, such as African elephant and Cape Buffalo, was due in the main to the high sectional density of the 6.5mm projectiles used in the rifle, although precise placing of the shot was imperative. Because the original factory loads for the 6.5×54 used projectiles that were long and heavy (160 grains) relative to their diameter, they proved capable (in solid form) of very deep penetration through muscle and bone. This, coupled with the relatively low recoil of the fired cartridge, facilitated accurate shot placement into vital organs such as the heart and particularly the brain.
Steyr-Mannlicher currently manufactures a rifle known as the 'Classic Mannlicher', which it bills on its website as 'a direct descendant of the world famous MANNLICHER [sic] Schoenauer models'. In fact, this rifle is available in almost every modern calibres. A limited edition called the 150 year anniversary Ritter Von Mannlicher were run in 1998 in the original 6.5×54mm M.S.cartridge. Although the modern 'Classic' Steyr-Mannlicher rifles still incorporate some original features, like the butter-knife bolt handle, the distinctive actions and rotary (spool) magazines of the original Mannlicher–Schönauer rifles are no longer used.
High production costs and the difficulty of fitting telescopic sights to the rifle's split receivers eventually resulted in a decision to terminate production in 1972. Models produced had been: 1900, 1903, 1905, 1908, 1910, 1924 High Velocity Sporting Rifle, 1950, 1952, 1956 Monte Carlo, 1961 Monte Carlo All-Purpose, Magnum.
Due to its popularity, the rifle is still manufactured by independent gunsmiths (such as Erich Schöder) in its country of origin. Spare parts are also still widely available.
Users[edit]
- Kingdom of Greece[4]
- Austria-Hungary
- Albania
- Republic of China: Used by some warlord armies.[5]
Notes[edit]
- ^ abL.S. Skartsis,Greek Vehicle & Machine Manufacturers 1800 to present: A Pictorial History, Marathon (2012)ISBN978-960-93-4452-4 (p. 222)
- ^ abChristos Sazanidis, Ta Opla ton Ellinon (Arms of the Greeks), Maiandros, Thessaloniki (1995)
- ^Rigas Rigopoulos (2003). Secret War: Greece-Middle East, 1940–1945 : the Events Surrounding the Story of Service 5-16-5(PDF). Turner Publishing Company. ASIN1563118866. ISBN978-1-56311-886-9.CS1 maint: ASIN uses ISBN (link)
- ^http://www.hungariae.com/Mann03.htm
- ^Chinese Warlord Armies 1911–30 by Philip Jowett, page 22.
External links[edit]
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mannlicher–Schönauer. |
Steyr Rifles For Sale
Last updated: 06/25/2000
Swiss Schmidt-Rubin rifles do not have the date of manufacture stampedon any of the rifle parts, so determining when the rifle (and mismatchedparts, if any) were manufactured must be determined from the serial numbers.The definitive work on this subject, and Schmidt-Rubin rifles in general,is Die Repetiergewehre der Schweiz, Die Systeme Vetterli und Schmidt-Rubin,by Reinhart, Sallaz, and am Rhyn (ISBN 3-7276-7102-5, copyright 1991 byVerlag Stocker-Schmid AG, Dietikon-Zuerich, Schweiz), from which the tablesgiven here are adapted. The notes about the various models of Schmidt-Rubinrifles are pilfered almost verbatim from Rifles of the World, 2ndedition, by John Walter (ISBN 0-87349-202-1, copyright 1998, publishedby Krause Publications, 700 E. StateStreet, Iola, WI 54990-0001, USA). The rifle photographs are from SamcoGlobal Arms, and are used with permission.
Below is a short description of the various models of Swiss Schmidt-Rubinrifles, and then the tables that are necessary to determine when a particularrifle was manufactured (given the model and serial number).
Contents
Introduction
Eduard Rubin (1846-1920) developed the first successful small-calibercopper-jacketed bullets that could withstand velocities higher than werenormal in the 1880s. Rubin cartridges with a caliber of 8.1-9.6 mm weretested against an 8.6 mm Hebler pattern in Switzerland in 1882. The Heblercartridge, which had a paper-mache core, attained a prodigious velocitybut the Rubin pattern proved to be far more accurate.
In 1884, Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft converted 130 Vetterlirifles to fire 7.5 mm and 8 mm Rubin cartridges. Most were adapted fromobsolete infantry weapons, but a few had been trial guns of 1873-75; thesehad a distinctive bolt-support guide extending back above the wrist ofthe butt.
Steyr Sporting Rifle Serial Numbers
Also chambered for Rubin ammunition, Rudolf Schmidt's first straight-pullbolt mechanism of 1885 relied on an actuating rod, set in a channel onthe right side of the breach, to rotate the bolt through a helical channelcut in the bolt sleeve. Twin lugs were provided midway along the bolt sleeve,locking into the receiver directly above the trigger.
Model 1889
This rifle was officially adopted on June 26, 1889. Tooling had alreadybegun in the state factory, and so the first deliveries were surprisinglyspeedy. The M1889 was a most unusual design, with a characteristicallySwiss nose cap/bayonet lug/stacking rod assembly, and a receiver with anoticeable gap between the trigger guard and the magazine. The great lengthof the bolt weakened the Schmidt system greatly. Production ceased in 1897after 211,890 rifles and 40-50 drill rifles (Exerzierwaffen) had been delivered.
Model 1889 rifles are available from SamcoGlobal Arms.
Manufactured 1891-1897 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: about 212,000
Model1889/96
The inherent weaknesses of the 1889-pattern Schmidt action were recognizedafter protracted experience with the standard 7.5 mm 1890-pattern cartridgehad been gained. As soon as attempts were made to increase the muzzle velocity,the problems intensified.
Testing of 50 modified rifles allowed the improved Vogelsang/Rebholzaction to be adopted on September 27, 1897. Though the 1889/96 rifle resembledits predecessor externally, the locking lugs had been moved to the frontof the bolt-sleeve. This strengthened the action by placing less of thesleeve under compressive stress, and reduced the gap between the triggerand the magazine by 0.4 inches.
The rifles were reclassified as the '[Infantrie-]Gewehr 89/96' in 1909;by November 1912, 127,050 service rifles and about 20 Exerzierwaffen hadbeen made.
Manufactured 1897-1912 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: 127,000
Model 1897Cadet Rifle
The Kadettengewehr was adopted on July 27, 1898, after trials with gunsderived from the Mannlicher cavalry carbine and the Schmidt-system rifles.The single-shot M1897 had a special quadrant sight with differing setsof gradations for the Ordonnanzpatrone (to 1200 meters on the left side)or the reduced-charge Kadetten-Patrone (to 400 meters on the right). Inaddition to standard guns, about 40 sub-caliber trainers were also made.
Manufactured 1898-1927 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: 7900
Model 1900Short Rifle
Adopted on April 9, 1901, the Kurzgewehr was based on the 1896-patternaction; apart from its length, the smaller magazine and reduced-range sight,it was similar to the M1889/96 infantry rifle.
Many surviving 1900-type guns were among the 26,340 carbines and shortrifles converted to '1911' standards by Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik in1913-1920. Accepting 7.5 mm Ordonnanz 11 cartridges, they had four-grooverifling.
Manufactured 1901-1911 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: 18,750
Model 1905Cavalry Carbine
Preceded by a handful of experimental designs - including one with afolding stock and another with a three-piece cleaning rod carried beneaththe forend - the Karabiner 05 was adopted in 1905 to replace the 1893-typeMannlicher. Stocked virtually to the muzzle, preventing the attachmentof bayonets, it had a full-length handguard and a sling-slot in the butt.
A decree signed on January 13, 1911, ordered the Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrikto modify 26,340 surviving M1900 short rifles and M1905 carbines to approximateto the 1911 pattern. The work was undertaken in Bern in 1913-1920. Theconverted guns had four-groove rifling and chambered 7.5x55 1911-type cartridges.
Manufactured 1906-1911 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: 7900
Model1896/11
In 1913, as a result of a decree signed on January 13, 1911, conversionof 1896-type rifles to approximate to the 1911 pattern began in the EidgenoessischeWaffenfabrik. By March 1, 1920, 135,770 rifles had been altered. They hadfour-groove rifling and chambered the Ordonnanz 11 cartridge.As might be expected, this model markedly resembled the Model 1911 Rifle,some of the differences being:
- rounded buttplate on the M96/11, flat on the M11;
- pistol grip worked into the stock on the M96/11, integral to the stockon the M11;
- cutouts on the bottom of the receiver for older magazines on the M96/11,none on the M11 (picture);
- slightly differently shaped trigger guard on the M96/11 than on the M11(picture).
Model 1911
A universal increase in muzzle velocity, arising from widespread adoptionof point-bullet ammunition, caused further problems with the Swiss rifles.Trials were undertaken in 1908-10 with modified bullets and rifles embodyinga strengthened Vogelsang/Rebholz action. Apart from the tangent sight,these guns resembled their predecessors externally - though, once dismantled,three large holes were found to be bored through the bolt sleeve to reduceweight.
The perfected [Infantrie-]Gewehr 11 was formally approved on January10, 1913, together with adaptations of several earlier weapons. The newguns had a strengthened action, a hold-open to signify an empty magazine,a pistol-grip stock and an improved rear sight.
Manufactured 1913-1919 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: 133,000
Model 1911Carbine
Adopted concurrently with the 1911-pattern infantry rifle in January1913, to replace the short rifle and cavalry carbine, this was readilydistinguished by its short barrel and stock. It was mechanically identicalto the rifle.
Model 1911 carbines are available from SamcoGlobal Arms.
Manufactured 1914-1933 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: 184,200
Model 1931Short Rifle
By 1930, it had become clear that important changes were required inthe 1911-type Schmidt action to keep abreast of improved technology. OnJanuary 22, 1932, therefore, the Bundesrat approved the manufacture ofabout 20 experimental short rifles; the Karabiner 31 was formally adoptedon June 16, 1933.
Great changes had been made in the action which, though retaining theessence of the original Schmidt principle, locked into the receiver ringrather than behind the magazine well. In addition, the bolt did not projectas far beyond the bolt carrier, reducing the length compared with the 1896-typeaction by 2.4 inches.
The Karabiner 31 had a longer barrel than the Karabiner 11, which wasof similar overall length. An improved sight was fitted, and the semi-pistolgrip stock - with a sling bar let into the left side of the butt - wasretained by a clamping nose cap accepting any of the standard Swiss swordbayonets.
Military production finished in 1958 after more than half a millionKarabiner 31 had been made in the Bern factory. A hundred otherwise standardexamples were supplied in the 1930s to equip the elite Swiss Guard (or'Papstliche Schweizergarde') in the Vatican; these guns were apparentlynumbered 249047-249146.
Several cutaway examples of the Karabiner 31 were also manufactured.Illustrated are photographs of the topandleftside of the receiver area of one example (photographs courtesy of ThomasWenk).
Model 1931 short rifles are available from SamcoGlobal Arms.
Manufactured 1933-1958 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: 582,230
Model 1931/42and 1931/43 Sniper Rifles
Experiments had been undertaken with optically-sighted Karabiner 11as early as 1919, but the project had been shelved until trials with Karabiner31 and Zeiss, Wild, Gerber and Kern sights began in 1935 in the SchiessschuleWalenstadt.
Though the low-power Kern sight was accepted in November 1940 and ahundred experimental carbines had been manufactured in 1943, the perfectedZf.-Kar.31/42 was not approved until July 1, 1944. It had a 1.8x sight,offset on the left side of the receiver alongside the bolt. Each sighthad a small auxiliary tangent sight and a unique pivoting periscope head.
Otherwise identical to its 31/42 predecessor, the Model 31/43 had animproved 2.8x sight on the left side of the receiver.
Manufactured 1944-1946 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: 2240
Model 1955Sniper Rifles
Based on the Model 1931 short rifle and featuring a top-mounted Kern3.5x sight (graduated to 800m), this rifle was adopted in 1956 to replacethe M31/42 and M31/43. The 1955-type guns had a special half-stock witha checkered pistol grip, a folding bipod and a special muzzle brake.
Manufactured 1957-59 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.
Total production: 4150
Steyr Scout Rifle
Bayonets
There are six basic types of sword bayonets for the Schmidt-Rubin rifles,all of which have a muzzle ring and a short, flat quillon approximately1+3/4 incles in length. There is also a rod bayonet, for which see below.Color photographs courtesy of Ronnie Wilson, and nomenclature fromBayonetsfrom Janzen's Notebook, with alternates (indicated by italics)being from Reinhart, Sallaz, and am Rhyn where they differ from Janzen.
- Model 1889: The fullered blade is 11+5/8 inches in length, and ithas plain wooden grips. It has a tendency to slide out of the scabbard.
- Model 1889/99 (1889/1918): Similar to the Model 1889, exceptfor a stud which was mounted in the fuller's groove to prevent the bayonetfrom sliding out of the scabbard.
- Model 1889/11 (1899): Also similar to the Model 1889, exceptthat a ramp was machined into the fuller's groove to prevent the bayonetfrom sliding out of the scabbard.
- Model 1892 (1889/92): An all steel rod bayonet manufacturedusing the blade from an old socket bayonet. It was issued to cyclists andmachine gunners.
- Model 1906 Pioneer: A transitional sawback bayonet having a Vetterliblade and a Schmidt-Rubin handle.
- Model 1914 Pioneer: The long, heavy sawback blade is approximately19 inches in length. The blade is fullered on the right side, and flaton the left.
- Model 1918 - Similar to the Models 1889, 1889/99, and 1889/11 exceptthat the blade is double edged and unfullered.
ManufactureDates
To determine the date of manufacture of a particular rifle, one needsto know both the model and the serial number. Given the model, go to theappropriate table and look for the range of serial numbers that spans thegiven serial number. The corresponding date for that serial number is shownin the left column of the table.
For example, given a Model 1911 with a serial number of 2673xx, thetables show no such serial number for a Model 1911. There is a range spanningthis serial number for a Model 1889/96, however, showing a manufacturedate of 1900. Knowing that the M89/96s were converted to approximate theM1911 form, we conclude that this rifle is a Model 1889/96/11 manufacturedin 1900.
As another example, given a Model 1931 with a serial number of 9999xx,the tables indicate that this rifle was manufactured in 1953.
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1893 | 40 | E1-E39 (E20 doubled) |
| 1895 | 2 | E43, E45 |
| 1896 | 2 | E42, E44 |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1891 | 24900 | 1-24900 |
| 1892 | 90100 | 24901-115000 |
| 1893 | 59100 | 115001-174100 |
| 1894 | 8787 | 174101-174887 175001-183000 |
| 1895 | 12500 | 183001-195500 |
| 1896 | 12500 | 195501-208000 |
| 1897 | 4000 | 208001-212000 |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1896 | 250 | 4251-4500 |
| 1897 | 250 | 4501-4750 |
| 1898 | 250 | 4751-5000 |
| 1899 | 250 | 5001-5250 |
| 1900 | 400 | 5251-5650 |
| 1901 | 500 | 5651-6150 |
| 1902 | 500 | 6151-6650 |
| 1903 | 500 | 6651-7150 |
| 1904 | 300 | 7151-7450 |
| 1905 | 300 | 7451-7750 |
| 1895-1905 | 96 | P1-P96 - Private series, numbers P46-P84 for a commercial company, Paris |
| 1897-1903 | 11 | E1-E11, extra series, entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1897 | 2 | E2-E3 |
| 1899 | 4 | E4-E7 |
| 1900 | 4 | E8-E11 |
| 1904 | 4 | E12-E15 |
| 1908 | 4 | E16-E19 |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1895 | 50 | 1-50 |
| 1897 | 9000 | 212001-221000 |
| 1898 | 15500 | 221001-236500 |
| 1899 | 15500 | 236501-252000 |
| 1900 | 16500 | 252001-268500 |
| 1901 | 11500 | 268501-280000 |
| 1902 | 12000 | 280001-292000 |
| 1903 | 10000 | 292001-302000 |
| 1904 | 8000 | 302001-310000 |
| 1905 | 6000 | 310001-316000 |
| 1906 | 6000 | 316001-322000 |
| 1907 | 5000 | 322001-327000 |
| 1908 | 5000 | 327001-332000 |
| 1909 | 4800 | 332001-336800 |
| 1910 | 6300 | 336801-343100 |
| 1911 | 1900 | 343101-345000 |
| 1912 | 4000 | 345001-349000 |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1899 | 18 | E1-E18 |
| 1900 | 6 | E19-E24 |
| 1901 | 9 | E25-E33 |
| 1902 | 3 | E34-E36 (P9+P34?) |
| 1903 | 2 | E37-E38 |
| 1904 | 1 | E39 |
| 1907 | 1 | E40 (P40) |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1898 | 2100 | 1-2100 |
| 1899 | 1649 | 2101-3749 |
| 1900 | 1580 | 3750-5329 |
| 1901 | 499 | 5330-5828 |
| 1902 | 193 | 5829-6021 |
| 1903 | 232 | 6022-6253 |
| 1904 | 151 | 6254-6404 |
| 1905 | 114 | 6405-6518 |
| 1906 | 183 | 6519-6701 |
| 1907 | 150 | 6702-6851 |
| 1908 | 82 | 6852-6933 |
| 1909 | 37 | 6934-6970 |
| 1910 | 236 | 6971-7206 |
| 1911 | 99 | 7207-7305 |
| 1912 | 115 | 7306-7420 |
| 1914 | 231 | 15001-15231 |
| 1915 | 33 | 15232-15264 |
| 1916 | 70 | 15265-15334 |
| 1918 | 2 | 15335-15336 |
| 1924 | 26 | 15337-15362 |
| 1925 | 20 | 15363-15382 |
| 1926 | 80 | 15383-15462 |
| 1927 | 15 | 15463-15477 |
| 1898-1919 | 45 | P1-P45, Private series entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern |
Steyr Air Rifles For Sale
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 5000 | 1-5000 |
| 1902 | 885 | 5001-5885 |
| 1903 | 915 | 5886-6800 |
| 1904 | 1000 | 6801-7800 |
| 1905 | 1500 | 7801-9300 |
| 1906 | 1500 | 9301-10800 |
| 1907 | 1750 | 10801-12550 |
| 1908 | 1750 | 12551-14300 |
| 1909 | 1650 | 14301-15950 |
| 1910 | 1500 | 15951-17450 |
| 1911 | 1300 | 17451-18750 |
| ? | 176 | P1-P176 [sic], Private series, entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern |
| 1903 Zoll | 89 | P72-P150 |
| 1904 Zoll | 300 | P173-P472 |
| ? | 50 | P501-P550 |
| Zoll | 394 | P551-P944 |
| Zoll | 190 | P951-P1140 |
| Zoll | 103 | P1141-P1243 |
Note:
Zoll - Customs service
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1906 | 810 | 1-810 |
| 1907 | 2790 | 811-3600 |
| 1908 | 2600 | 3601-6200 |
| 1909 | 500 | 6201-6700 |
| 1910 | 600 | 6701-7300 |
| 1911 | 600 | 7301-7900 |
| 1906-1914 | 39 | P1-P39, Private series, entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern |
| Year | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 1912 | 5000 |
| 1913 | 40000 |
| 1914 | 51000 |
| 1915 | 38000 |
| 1916 | 1500 |
| 1918 | 200 |
| 1919 | 50 |
| 1920 | 20 |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1912 | 6000 | 355001-361000 |
| 1913 | 14000 | 349001-355000 361001-369000 |
| 1914 | 5000 | 369001-374000 |
| 1915 | 22000 | 374001-396000 |
| 1916 | 32000 | 396001-428000 |
| 1917 | 31000 | 428001-459000 |
| 1918 | 20000 | 459001-479000 |
| 1919 | 3000 | 479001-482000 |
| ? | 200 | P5000-P5200, Private series, last manufactured on October 10, 1919, entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern |
| ? | 1 | P5219 |
| ? | 698 | P5251-P5948 |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1914 | 6000 | 30001-36000 |
| 1915 | 4000 | 36001-40000 |
| 1916 | 13000 | 40001-53000 |
| 1917 | 16100 | 53001-54400 55001-62000* 62301-70000** |
| 1918 | 19000 | 70001-89000 |
| 1919 | 2000 | 89001-91000 |
| 1920 | 6500 | 91001-97500 |
| 1921 | 8500 | 97501-106000 |
| 1922 | 7500 | 106001-113500 |
| 1923 | 7900 | 113501-121400 |
| 1924 | 7600 | 121401-129000 |
| 1925 | 7500 | 129001-136500 |
| 1926 | 9900 | 136501-146400 |
| 1927 | 12600 | 146401-159000 |
| 1928 | 11500 | 159001-170500 |
| 1929 | 12800 | 170501-183300 |
| 1930 | 9900 | 183301-193200 |
| 1931 | 8800 | 193201-202000 |
| 1932 | 9200 | 202001-211200 |
| 1933 | 3900 | 211201-215100 |
| 1913-1919 | 300 | P2001-P2300, Private series entry in the export book of Waffenfabrik Bern |
| Zoll | 18 | P2013-2030 |
| Zoll | 8 | P2037-P2044 |
| Zoll | 30 | P2071-P2100 |
| Zoll | 100 | P2101-P2200 |
| without entries | 4 | P2201-P2204 |
| ? | 19 | P2205-P2223 |
| Zoll | 50 | P2251-P2300 |
Notes:
Zoll - Customs service
* Serial numbers 54401-55000 and 62001-62300 are missing (900 pieces)
** Serial numbers 69701-69750 have double entries, but are only enteredonce in this list. Consequently, the total of the Model 1911 Carbines listedhere comes to 185150 pieces.
| Year | Who | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1915 | Kriegstechnische Abteilung, Bern - | E500 |
| 1914 | Koenigliche Gewehrpruefungskommission, Ruheleben-Spandau - Spanische Gesandtschaft, Bern - | E501 E502 |
| 1919 | Emile Galley, Lausanne - | E503 |
| 1920 | Hollaendische Gesandtschaft, Bern - Englische Gesandtschaft, Bern - | E504 E505 |
| 1915 | Eidgenpessiosches Militaerdepartement, Bern - | E506-E507 |
| 1917 | Sektion fuer Munition, Thun - | E508 |
| 1918 | Amerikanische Gesandtschaft, Bern - | E509 |
| 1919 | Franzoesische Gesandtschaft, Bern - | E510 |
| 1920 | Franzoesische Kriegsministerium, Paris - Tiro Suizo, Buenos Aires - | E511-E520 E521-E522 |
| 1921 | Italienische Gesandtschaft, Bern - Italienischer Militaerattache, Bern - Flugplatzdirektion, Duebendorf - Sektion fuer Schiessversuche, Thun - | E523 E524 E525 E526-E527 |
| 1922 | Eidgenoessische Munitionsfabrik, Thun - Eidgenoessische Munitionsfabrik, Thun - Internationales Wettschiessen, Mailand - The High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Australia, London - | E525? E528-E529 E530 E531 |
| 1923 | Franzoesisches Kriegsministerium, Paris - | E532 |
| 1924 | Eidgenoessisches Schuetzenfest, Aarau - KTA, fuer Schweden - KTA, fuer Tschechoslowakei - | E533-E534 E535 E536 |
| 1925 | KTA, fuer Waffenfabrik Oviedo - KTA, Bern - Schiessschule Walenstadt - | E537 E538-E539 E540-E541 |
| 1926 | Afghanische Regierung (mit Dolch 18) - KTA, fuer Tschechoslowakei - | E542 E543 |
| 1934 | J. Alder W+F, Bern - | E544 |
Notes:
KTA - Kriegstechnischen Abteilung des schweizerischen Militaerdepartements
W+F - Waffenfabrik
| Year | Who | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1918 | Amerikanische Gesandtschaft, Bern | E1 |
| 1919 | Amerikanische Gesandtschaft, Bern | E2 |
| 1920 | Hollaendische Gesandtschaft, Bern - Tiro Suizo, Buenos Aires - Tiro Suizo, Buenos Aires - | E3 E5 E6 |
| 1921 | Direktion Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern | E7 |
| 1923 | Franzoesisches Kriegsministerium, Paris | E4 |
| 1926 | Afghanische Regierung | E8 |
| 1932 | Wojskorny Zaklad, Warschau - Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik, Oerlikon - | E9 E10 |
| 1952 | unreadable | E11 |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1913 | 1000 | 1-1000 |
| 1914 | 8000 | 1001-9000 |
| 1915 | 8000 | 9001-17000 |
| 1916 | 8200 | 17001-25200 |
| 1917 | 900 | 25201-26100 |
| 1918 | 100 | 26101-26200 |
| 1919 | 70 | 26201-26270 |
| 1920 | 65 | 26271-26335 |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1923 | KTA, Bern | V1-V10 |
| 1926 | KTA, fuer Schiessschule Walenstadt | V1-V200 |
Note: KTA - Kriegstechnischen Abteilung des schweizerischen Militaerdepartements
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 1193 | 520010-521202 |
| 1934 | 15534 | 521203-536736 |
| 1935 | 13664 | 536737-550400 |
| 1936 | 11326 | 550401-561727 |
| 1937 | 11639 | 561728-573366 |
| 1938 | 10344 | 573367-583700 |
| 1939 | 15300 | 583701-599000 |
| 1940 | 33575 | 599001-632575 |
| 1941 | 54150 | 632576-686725 |
| 1942 | 49350 | 686726-736075 |
| 1943 | 50475 | 736076-786550 |
| 1944 | 51900 | 786551-838450 |
| 1945 | 26200 | 838451-864650 |
| 1946 | 15600 | 864651-880250 |
| 1947 | 20950 | 880251-901200 |
| 1948 | 20100 | 901201-921300 |
| 1949 | 15500 | 921301-936800 |
| 1950 | 13200 | 936801-950000 |
| 1951 | 23050 | 950001-973050 |
| 1952 | 21400 | 973051-994450 |
| 1953 | 5549 7450 | 994451-999999 215001-222450 |
| 1954 | 17150 | 222451-239600 |
| 1955 | 11250 | 239601-250850 |
| 1956 | 6400 | 250851-257250 |
| 1957 | 2950 | 257251-260200 |
| 1958 | 3130 | 260201-263330 |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1934 | 16 | ? |
| 1935 | 500 | 400001-400500 |
| 1936 | 100 Zoll | 401001-401100 |
| 1937 | 150 Zoll 200 | 401101-401250 400501-400700 |
| 1938 | 150 | 400701-400850 |
| 1939 | 20 | 401501-401520 |
| 1940 | 150 530 50 50 | 400851-401000 401521-402050 402151-402220 402251-402300 |
| 1941 | 300 | 402301-402600 |
| 1942 | 650 | 402501[sic]-403150[sic] |
| 1943 | 350 | 403151-403500 |
| 1944 | 400 | 403501-403900 |
| 1945 | 600 | 403901-404500 |
| 1946 | 837 | 404501-405337 |
| 1947 | 929 30 | 405322[sic]-406250 E519767-E519796 |
| 1948 | 400 | 406251-406650 |
| 1949 | 650 | 406651-407300 |
| 1950 | 400 50 | 407301-407700 408001-408050 |
| 1951 | 300 50 | 407701-408000 408051-408100 |
| 1952 | 300 | 408101-408400 |
| 1953 | 450 50 | 408401-408850 409051-409100 |
| 1954 | 200 100 | 408851-409050 409101-409200 |
| 1955 | 450 100 | 409201-409650 410151-410250 |
| 1956 | 450 | 409651-410100 |
| 1957 | 50 300 | 410101-410150 410251-410550 |
| 1958 | 475 | 410551-411025 |
| 1959 | 425 | 411026-411450 |
| 1960 | 300 | 411451-411750 |
| 1961 | 300 | 411751-412050 |
| 1962 | 400 | 412051-412450 |
| 1963 | 50 400 | 267331-267380 412451-412850 |
| 1968-1969 | 150 | various numbers |
| 1971 | 150 50 | 269431-269580 269881-269930 |
| Stand (?) 1972 | 250 | various numbers |
Note:
Zoll - Customs service
| Serial numbers | Allocation |
|---|---|
| 215001-350000 | K31 Carbine series, ordered by KTA for KMV |
| 350001-400000 | K31 Carbine series |
| P400001-P450000 | Private K31 Carbine series |
| 450001-500000 | K31 Carbines with telescopic sights (sniper versions) |
| 500001-500200 | Trials versions |
| E519701-E519900 | Various special K31s |
| 519901-519999 | Cutaway K31s (running backwards?), last number 519970 |
| 520001-520150 | Carbine series ordered by KTA, delivered by W+F for special purposes |
| 520081-520100 | Ditto, reserved for W+F |
| 520151-999999 | Carbine series, ordered by KTA for KMV |
| after 550651 | Hardened magazine boxes |
| after 540001 | Hardened receivers |
Notes:
KTA - Kriegstechnischen Abteilung des schweizerischen Militaerdepartements
KMV - Kriegsmaterialverwaltung
W+F - Waffenfabrik
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1943 | 96 | ? |
| 1944 | 403 | ? |
| 1945 | 1537 | ? |
| 1946 | 205 | ? |
| Year | Quantity | Serial numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | 170 | 1001-1170 |
| 1958 | 3030 | 1171-4200 |
| 1959 | 800 | 4201-5000 |
| ? | 150 | 5001-5150 |