Probably the least known of the early automatic pistol designs is the Mannlicher. The design went through several stages, starting as blow-forward action (the short-lived 1894 model), followed by a fixed barrel and finally a delayed blowback in several variations. This process began in 1896 and continued until around 1904 or 1905. Like many of its contemporaries, the Mannlicher was offered in both pistol and carbine configurations (either as a pistol with detachable stock or long-barrel carbine with a permanent stock).
While there are some minor differences in the different variations of Mannlicher pistols, they are all very similar to the original 1896 model. The pistol uses a short recoil type of action with a falling block to lock. The bolt and barrel travel backwards together under recoil for a short distance, until the bolt is cammed down and out of its locked position and continues backwards to eject from inertia. The magazine is comparable to a C96 Mauser magazine, but with with the follower guide on the opposite side.
Videos
Manuals
German (click to download in PDF format):
Photos
- Mannlicher Carbine poster
Full size Mannlicher 1901 Carbine poster (7 MB)
Photos of a Mannlicher 1910 (click to download high-resolution copies)
Resources
Manowar’s Hungarian Weapons has articles on half a dozen Mannlicher pistol variants (look under “Monarchy 1867-1918”, and then “Mannlicher pistols”)
Nice video, and neat little gun. What cartridge was it shooting?
They were made in two proprietary pistol cartridges, 9mm Mannlicher and 7.65mm Mannlicher.
Is there any chance oof you posting anything that describes the internal mechanics of the gun(the pistol variant preferably) in more detail than a poster?
If and when I can get my hands on one of them, definitely.
I’m arguing for adoption of the 1901 Carbine action in .30inch x 25mm. Any idea how these would cost compared to the Thompson in 1933-1936? It is said that the UK armed forces found the Tommy gun expensive. Could they have license built something cheaper than the Tommy and the MP-28/34? Could it have done a comparable job? Carbine and submachine gun?
Since Mannlicher used a similar action for 8mm Mauser, could the 1901 be adapted to .30 x 33mm (US .30 Carbine)?
I am attempting to have ATF remove this carabiner from NFA and officially recognize it as a curio and relic. I would appreciate any information anyone can provide me on when, and where it was manufactured. ATF tells me that if I can provide reliable documentation on its make and value they would likely remove it from NFA, since it has a 12″ barrel and would be considered a short barreled rifle.
Mannlicher Model 1897/02 Semi-Automatic Carbine
I have one of these carbines dated 1905 but is not chambered for 7.65 Mannlicher cartridge which is a straight walled cartridge. Mine is chambered for what I have measured as 7.65×22 or what seems to be extremely close to the .30 Luger cartridge which is 7.65×21. I have seen a couple others and it appears that the carbine may have been chambered for different cartridges. I will at some point get some 30 Luger and see if this is in fact what mine is chambered for. Any info would be helpful since this carbine has very limited info available.
I have my great grandfathees carbine . . likely the only one in Canada . I know of one pistol version here also. The ammo I will likely have to custom make . But it’s more of a 7.65 Mauser( or Borchardt), not Luger . But mannlicher uses a 5.3g/45gr bullet and Mauser is 5.5g/86gr. Close enough. The diameter is identical. The big difference is the powder load. Only load 4.5g which is factory spec in the 1902 manual. The Mauser is way to strong .
I have my great grandfathees carbine . . likely the only one in Canada . I know of one pistol version here also. The ammo I will likely have to custom make . But it’s more of a 7.65 Mauser( or Borchardt), not Luger . But mannlicher uses a 5.3g/81gr bullet and Mauser is 5.5g/86gr. Close enough. The diameter is identical. The big difference is the powder load. Only load 4.5g which is factory spec in the 1902 manual. The Mauser is way to strong .
The Carbine version fascinating & very little information appears to be around about it.
‘Apparently’ not too popular. Does anybody have information on how many were produced & when / any production history. Also if used at all in WW1 – I would have thought it would be a very useful (if somewhat light) trench / battle range weapon.
Apparently the production numbers if the carbine are unknown. Who knows if the serial numbers where seperate from the pistol version or intermingled?. My carbine is in the mid 500 range. It’s completely original except for the stock which my great grandfather Karl Klaas had cut down into a pistol grip.! But it still retains the original checkering and lanyard. Incredible gun.
I have a mannilicher that’s engraved can’t find a value anywhere can anyone help