Original Item: Only one Available. This is a very interesting example of the Dutch Geweer M.95 Mannlicher Infantry Service rifle, which was the standard Dutch long rifle from 1895 and through WWI. It was still in service in some areas until at least 1955, especially by the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger or KNIL), and also by the home guard in the Netherlands into WWII. This example does not show an extreme amount of wear, though it definitely saw long service. It has been modified with the addition of a Mauser K98k style slot through the butt stock, as well as having the front swing swivel moved to the side. There also is a threaded hole on the right side of the stock next to the slot, and in this case it still has an original leather sling installed! The original location for the butt stock sling swivel base was filled with a wood graft, so this was definitely an arsenal level modification.

Research indicates that this is a known type of modification for Dutch M.95 rifles captured as "war booty" by German soldiers during WWII, and pressed into service. These were designated as the Gewehr 211(h) by German forces, and were often not modified at all, but this is the second example we have seen this modification on, and the first that still retains the original sling. We also have seen multiple different styles of this same variation that were used, so we are confident that this is a WWII German captured rifle, which was them pressed into service.

This rifle was manufactured by the Steyr Mannlicher firearms division of Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft (ŒWG, Austrian Arms-Manufacturing Company) in Austria. The right side of the receiver is marked STEYR 1897, and to the left is crossed out number 388. The right side of the butt stock also has a fully intact STEYR 1897 cartouche, which surrounds a CROWN / W marking, for Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, who reigned 23 November 1890 – 4 September 1948. This means that this rifle is definitively considered a Pre-1899 Antique Firearm by the BATFE.

Over the chamber it is marked with serial number 8273E, which is also marked on the barrel next to the receiver, under the top handguard. The number 73 is marked on the rear sight base, magazine housing, bolt release, nose cap, and elsewhere. The bolt is however non-matching, probably swapped at arsenal long ago, and other small components are non-matching a well. We also noted a struck through 6493 to the left of the serial number, which we do not understand the significance of. Under the serial number marking we also noted a stamped LW, which matches the LW circular cartouche on the left side of the butt stock, and the marking on the butt plate. We assume this is some type of regimental number. Definitely some great markings on this rifle, well worth further research!

Rifle is in very good used condition, and is solid overall. The metalwork has a worn blued patina, with some light peppering from decades of service and storage. The stock does not have any major damage or repairs, aside from the previously mentioned modifications for the side mounted sling. Otherwise the stock is in lovely shape, with some great markings with research potential. The rifle cycles and dry fires correctly, though we have no way to know whether the magazine will still feed. The bolt still retains an intact firing pin and extractor, and the safety is fully functional as well, though it can be difficult to move. The bolt release on the rear left of the receiver is fully functional, allowing easy field stripping. The bore shows strong lands and grooves, though it does have fouling in the grooves and is overall a bit dark. There is a bit of a counter bore at the muzzle as well, thought to increase accuracy by removing work rifling.

A very nice Dutch service rifle that saw long service with the home guard and very possibly was captured and pressed into service by Germany during WWII, complete with an original sling! Ready to research and display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1897
Caliber: 6.5×53mmR
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 31 Inches
Overall Length: 50 3/4 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 5 round internal magazine with En-Bloc clip

History of the Dutch Mannlicher

The Geweer M. 95, also known to collectors as the Dutch Mannlicher, was the service rifle of the Armed forces of the Netherlands between 1895 and 1940 which replaced the obsolete Beaumont-Vitali M1871/88. At first it was produced by Steyr for the Dutch, but after 1904, production took place under license at Hembrug Zaandam in the Netherlands. Although often regarded as being based on the earlier Mannlicher 1893 Model, the rifle is in fact a modification of the Mannlicher rifle by August Schriever and the Dutch rifle commission[2]. The Dutch issued about 470,000 M.95s.

Both Dutch and Romanian rifles fired the same rimmed cartridge often referred to as "Romanian" 6.5x53.5mmR or "Dutch 6.5" 6.5×53 mmR. In military service, Dutch M.95 rifles (6.5×53 mmR) cartridges are loaded primarily through the use of an en-bloc clip, similar in concept to the clip used later by the US Army's M1 Garand. With the Ferdinand Mannlicher designed trigger guard / magazine housing assembly, when the bolt is open and fully retracted to the rear the full en-bloc clip is loaded into the magazine from the top through the open receiver. The empty clip will fall out through a hole in the base of the magazine housing when out of cartridges. This enabled quick reloading of the rifles during combat. When the bolt is in the fully open and retracted position, full clips can be vigorously ejected upwards from the magazine housing by means of a spring loaded latch at the rear of the magazine. This is operated by a recessed button in the front of the trigger guard portion of the assembly. The clips were essentially disposable as ammunition would be issued already loaded into clips from the factory.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.