Mauser Model 1902
The Mauser Model 1902 was a Mauser bolt-action rifle, designed for Mexico. It was similar to the Mauser Model 1895 but used the Gewehr 98 action.
| Mauser Model 1902 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Bolt-action rifle |
| Place of origin | German Empire |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Mexico Spain |
| Wars | Mexican Revolution Yaqui Revolt of 1926-1928[1] Spanish Civil War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Loewe Berlin DWM Steyr Fabrica Nacional de Cartuchos Fábrica Nacional de Armas |
| Produced | 1902-1934 |
| Variants | Model 1910 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.96 kg (8.7 lb) |
| Length | 123.2 cm (48.50 in) |
| Barrel length | 73.7 cm (29.0 in) |
| Cartridge | 7×57mm Mauser |
| Action | Bolt-action |
| Effective firing range | 2,000 m (2,190 yd) with iron sights[2] |
| Feed system | 5-round stripper clip, internal magazine |
| Sights | Iron sights. |
Design
The Model 1902 was an upgraded Model 1895, the standard rifle of the Mexican Army at the beginning of the 20th century.[3] The improvements were derived from the German Gewehr 98, such as the use of three locking lugs and a gas protection on the bolt. It fired the 7×57mm Mauser and accepted the Model 1895 bayonet. Two contract were signed in 1902 and 1906 by the Mexican general Bernardo Reyes.[4] They were produced by Loewe Berlin, Steyr and DWM. 38,000 DWM-made rifles were delivered, and 40,000 more made by Steyr.[5]
Mexican Mauser Model 1910
The Mexican Mauser Model 1910 or Mauser Mexicano Modelo 1910 was a locally-made Model 1902. To reduce the country dependency on foreign suppliers,[4] the Fabrica Nacional de Cartuchos[6] and the Fabrica Nacional de Armas were created with the help of foreign technicians.[4] A Model 1910 carbine, similar to the Model 1895 carbine, was also produced.[6] 8,000 bayonets originally produced for the Mondragón rifle were adapted for the Mauser 1910.[7] The Model 1902 and 1910 saw combat use during the Mexican Revolution.[8][9] Production of the Model 1910 was slowed down because of the fall of the Díaz government in 1911 and it was supplemented by the Steyr Model 1912 Mauser.[4] Nevertheless, 40,000 were produced until 1934.[6] The Model 1910 also saw service in the Spanish Civil War where 20,000 were sent to aid the Spanish Republicans.[10]
References
- Jowett, Phillip, Latin American Wars 1900-1941: Osprey Publishing (2018)
- Ball 2011, p. 263.
- Ball 2011, p. 255.
- Marley, David F. (August 2014). "Mauser (1895-1907)". From the Struggle for Independence to the 21st-Century Drug Wars. ABC-CLIO. pp. 213–214. ISBN 978-1-61069-427-8.
- Ball 2011, p. 256.
- Ball 2011, p. 258.
- Casanova, Samuel (June 1990). "La carabine Mondragon". Gazette des Armes (in French). No. 201. pp. 22–27.
- de Quesada, Alejandro; Jowett, Philip (28 Feb 2006). The Mexican Revolution 1910–20. Elite 137. Osprey Publishing. pp. 14, 61. ISBN 9781841769899.
- Jowett, Philip (28 Jun 2018). Latin American Wars 1900–1941: "Banana Wars," Border Wars & Revolutions. Men-at-Arms 519. Osprey Publishing. p. 44. ISBN 9781472826282.
- "Foreign Rifles of the Spanish Republic, 1936-1939 – Surplused". Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- Ball, Robert W. D. (2011). Mauser Military Rifles of the World. Iola: Gun Digest Books. ISBN 9781440228926.
- James B. Jr., Hughes (1968). Mexican Military Arms: The Cartridge Period, 1866-1967. Houston, Texas: Deep River Armory.