Mauser Model 1895

Mauser Model 1895
Serbian M1899,identical to Chilean M1895
Type	Bolt-action rifle
Place of origin	German Empire
Service history
In service	1895–
Used by	See Users
Wars	Second Boer War Mexican Revolution
Production history
Designed	1895
Manufacturer	Ludwig Loewe & Company 1895-1896 Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken 1897-1900
Produced	1895–
Variants	Mauser Model 1895 Short Rifle Mauser Model 1895 Carbine
Specifications
Weight	3.9 kg (8.6 lb)
Length	1,220 mm (48.03 in)
Barrel length	740 mm (29.13 in)
Cartridge	7×57mm Mauser
Action	Bolt-action
Muzzle velocity	700 m/s (2,297 ft/s)
Effective firing range	500 m (550 yd) with iron sights
Feed system	5-round stripper clip, internal magazine
Sights	Iron sights.

The Mauser Model 1895 adopted as Fusil Mauser Chileno Mo 1895. by Chilean forces, is a bolt operated magazine fed rifle using the 7×57mm Mauser cartridge. It is the first major modification of the Mauser Model 1893 and was produced by Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken, known as DWM, and Ludwig Loewe Company during the period of 1895-1900

First supplied by the Ludwig Loewe & Co during 1895-1896 then later by the DWM (1897-1900), the Mauser model 1895 first made its appearance during a small arms race between Argentina and Chile in 1896 and 1898. In this period, over 80,000 Model 1895 rifles and 30,000 Model 1895 carbines were shipped and deployed to the Chilean army.

The Model 1895 was also deployed to republic of the Orange Free State and the South African Republic (more commonly known as “Transvaal”) by DWM shortly after the Jameson Raid in December 1895 to deal with the shortage of modern magazine fed rifles for the state army. Roughly 50,000 Mauser rifles were ordered but only 37,000 were delivered because DWM diverted them to fulfill their contract with the Chilean army. Due to many rifles being diverted to Chile, many of the rifles there have the inscription “O.V.S” (Oranje Vrij Staat), Orange Free State. The Model 1895 brought to the “Transvaal” was also known as "Boer Model" Mauser and were marked “O.V.S” (Oranje Vrij Staat) just above the serial number accompanied by MOD.MAUSER and the date of the manufacturer. Due to this, a misunderstanding occurred regarding the identification between the Model 1896 and Model 1897. At the time, an Afrikaans farmer (Also known as a Boer) could purchase a Mauser Model 1895 at a price of £3, another variant known in Afrikaans as Plezier Mauser was sold slightly above cost by the respective governments and private dealers for sport and private use. These rifles varied in strock style, barrel, sight lines and ornamentation. Some of the last rifles delivered by DWM were equipped with turned down bolt handles which made them suitable for the South African farmers on horseback. Work on the manufacturing of the Mauser Model 1895 was halted in 1899 by the Second Boer War.