Mannlicher M1886/88
Österreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft (OEWG), Steyr · Rifle · Discontinued · 1888
Also known as: Repetier-Gewehr M.1886/88, Mannlicher Model 1886/88, M1886/90, Mannlicher M86/88
Overview
The Mannlicher M1886/88 is an Austro-Hungarian straight-pull bolt-action service rifle created by rebarreling the original 11mm M1886 to fire an 8mm smokeless-era cartridge. After France's smokeless Lebel rendered black-powder arms obsolete, the Austro-Hungarian Ministry of War had the bulk of its M1886 stock converted between 1888 and 1892, retaining Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher's wedge-lock straight-pull action while fitting a smaller-bore barrel and updated sights. It feeds from a fixed box magazine loaded with a five-round en bloc clip and was chambered for the 8x52mmR Mannlicher (M.90) loading. The conversion let Austria-Hungary field a competitive small-bore rifle until the definitive Mannlicher M95 arrived.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4500 g (158.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1320 mm (51.97") |
| Barrel Length | 806 mm (31.73") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | En Bloc Clip |
| Muzzle Velocity | 620 m/s (2034 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3075 J (2268 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2200 m (2406 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 8x52mmR Mannlicher · primary — also known as 8mm Mannlicher M1890, 8x52R Mannlicher, 8mm scharfe Patrone M.90
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: En Bloc Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Straight Pull Bolt, Wedge Lock Action, En Bloc Clip Loading, Fixed Box Magazine, Tangent Leaf Sights
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Austro-Hungarian Army · adopted 1888 · as Repetier-Gewehr M.1886/88
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
Production
Estimated total produced: 94,000 · Production years: 1888-1892
Approximately 90,000-94,000 original M1886 rifles converted to 8mm; OEWG Steyr contracted to supply roughly 94,000 replacement 8mm barrels from April 1890.
Origin
Country of origin: Austria
Designer: Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher
Discontinued: 1918
Notes
Conversion designation overlaps with the closely related M1886/90 rebarreling program; both reworked the M1886 receiver to 8mm while preserving the wedge-lock action and original furniture. Roughly 94,000 replacement 8mm barrels were contracted from OEWG Steyr from April 1890.
Background
The M1886/88 marks the moment Austria-Hungary scrambled to answer the French smokeless revolution: rather than scrap its brand-new straight-pull Mannlichers, it simply swapped barrels, keeping the unusual wedge-lock action that pulled straight back instead of rotating.