Model 1891 (Argentine Mauser)

History of the Model 1891 (Argentine Mauser)

Once perfected, the German Mauser bolt-action rifle began to spread to the world gun market in the late 18th and early 20th centuries. If a particular bolt-action rifle is not based on a Mauser design, it does have its origins in the competing Austro-Hungarian Mannlicher line of firearms. Mauser production centers were eventually established in several other countries, including Belgium, enabling the production of the slightly modified 1889 "Belgian Mauser".

The shape is more or less faithful to the German design, but with the addition of a barrel jacket for strength. This design was subsequently adopted (with some modifications) by the Ottoman Empire as the 1890 "Turkish Mauser".

From this design was born the Model 1891 "Argentine Mauser," which, like the Turkish weapon, lacked the Belgian-designed barrel jacketa feature that ultimately proved to do more harm than good.

An Argentine government committee attempted to replace the earlier Type 1871 in service in Argentina, and in 1886 commissioned Mauser to upgrade its existing stock. The result was the Model 1891, which was largely based on the Model 1890 Turkish Mauser, but with minor modifications to meet the needs of the Argentine army.

This includes a revised bolt arrangement and a reinforced extractor unit, while charging for the local Argentine Mauser 7.65x53mm cartridge. In all other qualities, however, the Argentine Mauser is essentially a Turkish variant and is a Mauser through and through.

Model 1891 features a one-piece wooden stock with a straight-wrist grip section. The bolt handle retains the signature knob on its end for ease of use, and the assembly is located on the right side of the gun.

The trigger ring places a protruding magazine housing in front of the trigger assembly in the usual way. Machined metal parts are inlaid into the woodwork, and a strap connects the stock to the barrel. Aiming was carried out by means of iron brackets at the top of the frame and at the muzzle. The weapon is fed from a full 5-round magazine.

Like other rifles of the period, the Argentine Mauser was equipped with provisions for mounting a bayonet.

As a bolt-action rifle, this rifle requires manual operation of the bolt-action system to remove a new cartridge from the waiting integrated magazine and insert the cartridge into the firing chamber, effectively locking and sealing the bullet before firing. Muzzle velocity reached 2,100 feet per second, and the gun had a range of about 2,080 yards.

Like other Mausers, the Argentine version is just as long (51 inches total) and heavy (8.8 lbs), but is built to be strong and sturdy in adverse combat conditions.

In addition to the standard pike form, the Argentine Army also adopted a variant of the "1891 Cavalry Carbine", which were shortened (to 37 inches) for a more compact form - suitable for cavalry units on the battlefield. The original Model 1891 long gun was finally updated in 1909 to receive the designation Model 1891/09 - with the widespread adoption of pointed "Spitzer" bullets by militaries around the world, these guns received revised sights.

Pointed bullets follow the older round bullet type.

Specification

Base

Year of Service

1891

Origins

Argentina

Categories

Bolt Action Rifle

Manufacturer

Waffenfabrik Mauser AG - German Empire / Fabrique Nationale - Belgium

Operator

Argentina

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length

1,295 mm

50.98 inches

Run Length

780mm

30. 71 inches

Cured weight

8.82 lbs

4.00 kg

Attractions

Before and after ironing.

Action

Manual bolt action

Bolt Action

The process of manually operating the control bolt lever to eject the spent cartridge, releasing the bolt and inserting a new cartridge into the chamber.

CARTRIDGE & FEED

Caliber(s)*

7. 65x53mm Argentine Mauser

Rounds / Feed

5-Round Integral Magazine

PERFORMANCE

Rate-of-Fire

12

rds/min

Muzzle Velocity

2,100 ft/sec

(640 m/sec)

VARIANTS

Model 1891 - Base Series Designation; original production forms based on the Turkish Mauser; chambered for 7. 65x53mm Argentine Mauser cartridge. Model 1891 Cavalry Carbine - Shortened cavalry carbine form for mounted and specialist troops; 37" length.

Model 1891/09 - Update of 1909 for pointed Spitzer bullets; regraduated sights.