History of the 1889 Infantry Model (Belgian Mauser)

The Belgian Model 1889 "Mauser" became the first bolt-action rifle of the Belgian Army. It is based on a proven Mauser design originally developed by brothers Paul and Wilhelm Mauser in Germany. The design went on to become one of the most famous series of bolt action rifles at the time (perhaps ever), and served as the basis for many long guns based on bolt action rifles. Many foreign long guns simply borrowed (or illegally copied) the tried-and-true "Mauser" system, and often had the Mauser name as an additional identifier, despite their true country of origin.

The first German Mauser became the Model 1871 "Infantry Rifle", while the more popular Mauser Model 1898 (or "Gewehr 98") became the main service rifle of the German Army during World War I. The Model 1898 was the basis for the WWII-era Karabiner 98K (or "Kar 98K") carbine line - the last major Mauser rifle for the German Army.

When the modern Belgian army needed its own new active-duty rifle, it turned to an existing and proven German design, bypassing any lengthy and ultimately costly move by the locals. The German design served as the basic framework for Belgian products, with slight modifications to meet the needs of the Belgian army.

It is this rifle that the famous Belgian firearms concern Fabrique-National (also referred to as "FN" - FN Herstal) in mass production. The FN ultimately survived two world wars and is today one of the world's leading weapons designers and manufacturers.

One of the main features of the Belgian version of the Mauser rifle is the sheet steel jacket mounted on the barrel - a very unique element not found on any other Mauser trademark. The shield was introduced to maintain the effectiveness of the barrel and wooden body over time and to increase its longevity and long-term accuracy when subjected to excessive firepower and abuse on the battlefield. Despite this approach, it turned out that the jacketed barrel was prone to accumulation of moisture, thus causing the problem of rusting of the barrel itself - unknown to the owner. Additionally, the sheath was not perforated to mitigate heat buildup in the barrel, and proved prone to dents.

As a result, operational quality suffers over time, regardless of the protective measures in place. The last point about this design plan is the extra steel needed to complete these rifles - an expensive resource, especially if the rifles were to reach the hands of tens of thousands of Belgian soldiers.

Many believed that the barrel jacket was not appreciated by operators who relied on the perfect rifle in wartime.

Despite this disadvantage, the Belgian version of the Mauser rifle has several "firsts" in the history of the Mauser rifle. This is the first Mauser rifle with an integrated magazine for charging the charger. In this way, the prepared "loader" is loaded with five cartridges each, in an integrated box magazine, which is located in front of the trigger group. When the first round is loaded into the chamber by standard bolt action, the loader is ejected from the gun - effectively "stripping" the bullet from its mount. This leaves five well-stacked rounds ready to fire in the fixed magazine.

The weapon is loaded with Belgian 7.65x53mm Mauser cartridges and uses a manually operated straight-pull bolt action mechanism (basically a grip at a 90-degree angle to the receiver). Individual bullets can still be loaded as usual instead of the loading method, but using the charger greatly reduces the reload time.

Regardless, combatants still respect the single-storage nature of this weapon. This Belgian Mauser was also the first to fire a useful small caliber smokeless propellant cartridge (7.65mm), as previous products used either 8mm or 7.92mm calibers.

Another Mauser rifle was the Belgian Mauser "the first" to use a protruding one-piece magazine, and this was a one-piece mount attached to the trigger ring, reducing hook changes in the heat of battle.

The Belgian Mauser features a one-piece solid wood frame that runs the full length of the weapon and ends at the rear of the muzzle. The fuselage contained two straps, and iron sights were mounted in the center of the top of the receiver and at the muzzle. The overall length of the gun is 50.5 inches, with the barrel accounting for about 30.5 inches of that length. Of course, the implanted bayonet added nearly 10 inches to the design, as the doctrine of the time still relied heavily on bayonet charges for decisive victories.

Empty weight is about 4kg, while muzzle velocity is estimated at 2,000 feet per second under ideal conditions. The bayonet was optional, although a high standard in that wartime, and featured a 9.8-inch blade design that mounted under the muzzle.

The Type 1889 certainly did well and had a very healthy lifespan. It was the standard Belgian infantry rifle of World War I and survived long enough to fight in World War II - the Mauser's origin no doubt played a part in that longevity.

During World War I, the Germans occupied large tracts of land on their way to Paris, and the Belgian government was forced to flee the capital. With no home country (and therefore no Belgian factories producing the required number of rifles), Belgian soldiers ended up armed with French Lebel and Berthier rifles for most of the war.

In the early days of the conflict (before 1914), the Model 1889 was produced in several notable forms: "Short" carbine version for cavalry and artillery infantry ("Carbine Model for Gendarmerie, Infantry Artillery and Bastion Troops". 1889)" ), while a "turned down" version of the bolt handle was issued to the bike-mounted defense group (like "Garde Civique Rifle Model 1889"). Other short versions became "Cavalry Carbine Model 1889", with no bayonet attachment and reduced stock (hence more Light) and a "Mounted Gendarmerie Carbine Model 1899" with bayonet mount, revised stock design and additional barrel straps to identify the type. Belgian Model 1889 Mauser continued to serve into the 1930s, although the jacketed barrel was eventually discarded in production In the process, these new modernized forms appeared from 1936 onwards as "Infantry Rifle Model 1936" or "Model 1889/36" with limited production and service with second-line units.

Their barrels were also shortened, And introduced a new front iron sight.

Type 1889 Infantry (Belgian Mauser) Specification

Roles

- Manual Repeat Shot

- Frontline infantry/gunner

Dimensions

Total length:

1,295 mm (50.98 in)

Run Length:

780 mm (30.71 in)

Weight (not loaded):

4.00 kg

Attractions:

Before and after ironing.

Performance

Action:

Manual straight pull bolt; repeat

Muzzle velocity:

2,000 feet per second (610 meters per second)

Rate of fire:

8 rounds per minute

Changes

Model 1889 Infantry Rifle - Basic Service Rifle

National Guard Rifle Model 1889 - Folding bolt handle; modified bayonet mount (for different bayonet).

Carbine Model for Gendarmerie, Infantry Artillery and Bastion Forces 1889 - Shortened/light carbine model for special forces; foldable bolt handle; standard infantry bayonet.

Garde Civique Rifle Model 1889 - Folding Bolt Handle; Issued to Civic Guard Bicycle Unit.

Kavalleriekarabiner Modell 1889 - Lighter short carbine model for cavalry; no bayonet lock.

Military Police Model 1899 Carbine - Based on Model 1889 Cavalry Carbine for mounted police; bayonet lock; modified stock.

1936 Infantry Model - 1889 Modernized Rifle Model; Limited Production.

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