Mannlicher Model 1888

Bolt-Action Service Rifle

Austria-Hungary | 1888

"The Mannlicher Model 1888 was developed in response to the French adoption of the 8mm smokeless powder cartridge which made many existing service rifles obsolete."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/03/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The Mannlicher Model 1886 straight-pull bolt-action service rifle was the first such rifle adopted by the Austro-Hungarian Army. However, its honeymoon was short-lived for the arrival of the French Lebel 8mm of 1886 - utilizing a new revolutionary smokeless powder cartridge - immediately made all existing rifle types obsolete. As such, work began on a version of the 11mm Model 1886 chambered for a new 8mm smokeless powder cartridge and this produced the Mannlicher Model 1888. Early forms were still utilizing a black powder cartridge (8x50R - 8mm scharfe Patrone M.88) and this was followed by another cartridge type categorized as "semi-smokeless" (8x52R - 8mm scharfe Patrone M.90) until an indigenous smokeless powder round (8x50R - 8mm scharfe Patrone M.93) was perfected by the Austrians in 1893. Many existing Model 1886 rifles were then converted to the new Model 1888 form and sights were appropriately updated as each cartridge type became available. This Mannlicher design is noted as the first service rifle anywhere in the world to combine the benefits of a smokeless powder cartridge with the use of an integral box magazine.

The Model 1888 relied heavily on the existing framework of the Model 1886 before it including its straight-pull bolt-action design - the two designs were essentially externally similar. The box magazine remained integral and fed by five-round clips. As in the Model 1886, the magazine was situated apart from the trigger group creating a small noticeable gap in between. Of course the smaller ammunition caliber forced the reworking of all the internals including the magazine box itself which was now closer to the gun body and thinner in profile - a defining characteristic when attempting to differentiate the previous Model 1888 and the newer Model 1886. The body was a single-piece wooden element that incorporated the shoulder stock, grip, receiver and long-running handguard in a traditional fashion. The barrel ran about the design in the usual way, protruding a short distance ahead of the nose cap. Overall, the Model 1888 mimicked much of what the Model 1886 had already presented in years prior save for the new caliber. Mountings were present for the use of bayonets in close-quarters work.

In practice, the Model 1888 series proved serviceable weapons. However, work on a new pivoting bar lock began when the original design proved weak in the field. This resulted in the improved Model 1890 "Cavalry Carbine" which originated the evolved Model 1895 service rifle some time later. As the aforementioned cartridge types became available to the Model 1886 series, the actual effective ranges of the rifles accordingly increased in turn and made for a more practical ranged weapon. The Model 1888 series would then be differentiated by its two major forms in the M1888 designation and the M1888/90 designation.

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Physical
The physical qualities of the Mannlicher Model 1888. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

Manually-actuated straight-pull bolt; repeating
Action

8mm Mannlicher
Caliber(s)

5-round integral magazine
Feed

Iron front and rear.
Sights

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Mannlicher Model 1888. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

6
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Mannlicher Model 1888 Bolt-Action Service Rifle family line.

Model 1888 - Base Series Designation

Model 1888/90 - Finalized Model 1888 form to fire smokeless powder cartridge.

Model 1890 "Cavalry Carbine" - Improved Model 1888 leading to refined Model 1895 service rifle.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Mannlicher Model 1888. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Steyr - Austria

National flag of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

[ Austria-Hungary ]

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Design Qualities
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to requirements.

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Going Further...
The Mannlicher Model 1888 Bolt-Action Service Rifle appears in the following collections:

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