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The curved construction of the magazine is required by the fact that the 1·65 mm cartridge originally tested has a rimmed case. A special long extractor is required in Mauser actions as indicated, when using cartridges with rimmed cases. The magazine is detachable.

Drawings show the magazine loaded to capacity and the action at full cock ready for the trigger pull.

A projection beneath the upper band is provided to attach the short bayonet. A full length cleaning rod screws into a nut in the stock. Its head has a slot in it which fits into the rod holder of the front sight ring.

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15. OPERATION OF MODERN MAUSER SYSTEMS

A study of the functioning of the first Belgian model covers in general all details of operation of future models with minor exceptions which will be noted in the text. Mauser's original design was so fundamentally correct that it has never been possible to do more than modify it, and as in our own Springfield (which is a Mauser action), to improve, or more correctly, to refine it to a degree.

As the bolt lever (handle) is lifted to open the action, the cocking stud projecting into the groove in the tang of the receiver prevents the cocking-piece and the bolt plug behind it from turning with the bolt.

The tooth on the cocking stud is thrust back by the cam recess on the bolt thereby drawing the striker back and partly compressing the mainspring. During this raising movement of the bolt lever, the lower end of the lever where it joins the bolt thrusts against an inclined plane cut on the rear face of the cylindrical bridge part of the receiver. This leverage forces the entire bolt assembly to move a short distance to the rear thereby loosening the empty case in the chamber to provide primary extraction (loosening the expanded case in the firing chamber).

After the bolt lever has been lifted its entire travel distance (through an angle of 90 degrees) it ends in a vertical position. The end of the cocking stud now rests in the notch in the rear of the bolt; while the locking lugs have turned out of their locking seats in the receiver and are in the travel grooves in the receiver, permitting the bolt to be drawn to the rear. As the bolt is pulled back, the ejector springs into its groove. Since the extractor in the face of the bolt is drawing the empty cartridge case back with the bolt, the ejector strikes the opposite lower face of the cartridge case swinging it to the right and thereby freeing it from the grip of the extractor and hurling it out of the action.

The left bolt lug at this point comes in contact with the tooth on the bolt stop, halting the rearward motion of the bolt. The magazine springs force the next cartridge in line up into the path of the bolt.

Loading and Firing

When the bolt is thrust forward, the ejector is pressed to the left. The bottom of the bolt face strikes the top cartridge in the magazine and pushes it ahead into the firing chamber. As the cartridge is forced ahead, its base is compelled to rise up the bolt face until the extractor catches in the cartridge groove.

When the bolt is about one inch from closing, the cocking stud is engaged by the sear. This results in the cocking-piece and the striker being held back,, while the bolt and bolt plug are pushed forward. This action compresses the mainspring completely. (Note: This cocking system applies only to the early Belgian, Spanish and Turkish types. In German and other late types, turning down the bolt handle completes cocking.)

This final motion of course completes thrusting the cartridge forward into the chamber.

As the bolt handle is turned down to the right, the bolt cylinder is revolved and the two lugs at the front end are turned into engagement in the recesses cut for them in the receiver directly behind the head of the cartridge. Pulling the trigger levers the sear away from the cocking stud.

The striker is now released and the tooth on the cocking-piece enters the cam recess on the bolt permitting the striker freedom to reach the primer when released.

If the bolt is not completely closed, the travel of the striker is blocked, since the tooth of the cocking stud is not opposite its entering recess. Hence the rifle cannot be fired.

All Mauser rifles wherever they are made or under whatever name manufactured are merely modifications of this original Belgian design.

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16. MODEL 1890 TURKISH MAUSER

In 1890 the Turkish government adopted a modified form of the Belgian Mauser. This rifle for the 7·65mm (or ·301-inch) Turkish cartridge was minus the jacket tube of the Belgian model.

This model together with minor modifications of the later 1898 pattern issued in 1903 and 1905 are all in official Turkish use, as are Kar. 98's and their modifications.

It must be remembered that despite the fact that many countries used "official" rifles, because of the distribution of weapons during World War II equipment of all types may be found in practically all armies in the world today. Thus tremendous numbers of later models of the Mauser rifle using the German cartridge will be found in Turkey. All such rifles, wherever made for Turkey, are slight modifications only of the official German.

However the official 1890 Turkish Mauser rifle has the following characteristics: it weighs 9 pounds 1 ounce without bayonet. The bayonet adds about 1 pound 7 ounces to this weight. The overall length is about 4 feet ·5-inch without bayonet. The bayonet adds 1 foot 6 inches. The overall length of the barrel is 29·1 inches, and the barrel is rifled 4- grooves to the right with a twist of one turn in 10 inches.

The sights are standard V and barleycorn with graduations from 250 to 2,000 meters and without wind gauge. The rifle may be loaded with individual cartridges or may be loaded with cartridges stripped in from a clip in standard fashion.

The magazine of the original model followed that of the original Belgian type in that it extended below the bottom of the stock and carried 5-cartridges in a single vertical column, and was detachable.

The original Turkish Model varied from the original Belgian in:

1. Cartridge used. While the caliber is the same, the cartridge was somewhat different. This Turkish cartridge measures 2·96 inches overall, is rimless and weighs 370 grains. The bullet is pointed and has a lead core surrounded by a mild steel jacket. The bullet length is 1·06 inch, the maximum diameter ·311 inch; weight 154·3 grains.

As originally issued, the cartridge measured 3·07 inch and the bullet 1·2 inch. The powder charge was 47·4 grains of smokeless. More recent loads average about 46 grains of improved powder. The muzzle velocity is about 2,001 feet per second while the chamber pressure is about 39,400 pounds per square inch. (Note: Most modern 7·65mm Mauser military calibers will interchange.)

2. Turkish rifles do not have barrel jackets.

MODEL 90 TURKISH MAUSER. RIGHT SIDE VIEW WITH ACTION CLOSED.