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|used_by= ]<br>]<br>]<ref name="Walter2006"/><br>]<ref name="Walter2006">{{cite book|author=John Walter|title=Rifles of the World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Eq2Dnj4sDZIC&pg=PA270|date=25 March 2006|publisher=Krause Publications|isbn=0-89689-241-7|pages=270–}}</ref>
The '''Geweer M. 95''', also known to collectors as the '''Dutch Mannlicher''', was the ] of the ] between 1895 and 1940 which replaced the obsolete ]. At first it was produced by ] for the Dutch, but after 1904, production took place under license at ] Zaandamin the Netherlands. Although often regarded as being based on the earlier ] Model, the rifle is in fact a modification of the Mannlicher rifle by August Schriever and the Dutch rifle commission.<ref name = NVL40-56>Nederlandse Vuurwapens: Landmacht en Luchtvaartafdeling, drs G. de Vries & drs B.J. Martens, p.40-56</ref>
The '''Geweer M. 95''', also known to collectors as the '''Dutch Mannlicher''', was the ] of the ] between 1895 and 1940 which replaced the obsolete ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dutch Bolt action |url=https://nollesguns.be/dutch-bolt-action.html |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=nollesguns.be}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Karabin Het geweer M.95 (Mannlicher) {{!}} Encyklopedia Uzbrojenia II Wojny Światowej |url=https://www.dws-xip.com/encyklopedia/kbm95-nl/,%20https://www.dws-xip.com/encyklopedia/kbm95-nl/ |access-date=2024-03-22 |language=pl-PL}}</ref> At first it was produced by ] for the Dutch, but after 1904, production took place under license at a Dutch state weapon factory in ] known by the name of close by ] bridge.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dws-xip.com/encyklopedia/kbm95-nl/ | title=Karabin Het geweer M.95 (Mannlicher) | Encyklopedia Uzbrojenia II Wojny Światowej }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.waroverholland.nl/index.php?page=rifle-and-carabine-m-95 | title=Dutch hand-guns [War over Holland - May 1940: The Dutch struggle] }}</ref> Although often regarded as being based on the earlier ] Model, the rifle is in fact a modification of the Mannlicher rifle by August Schriever and the Dutch rifle commission.<ref name = NVL40-56>Nederlandse Vuurwapens: Landmacht en Luchtvaartafdeling, drs G. de Vries & drs B.J. Martens, p.40-56</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://nollesguns.be/dutch-bolt-action.html | title=Dutch Bolt action }}</ref> The Dutch issued about 470,000 M.95s.
The Dutch issued about 470,000 M.95s.
Both Dutch and ] rifles fired the '''same''' rimmed cartridge often referred to as "Romanian" '''6.5x53.5mmR''' or "Dutch 6.5" ''']'''. In military service, Dutch M.95 rifles (]) cartridges are loaded primarily through the use of an '']'', similar in concept to the clip used later by the US Army's ]. With the ] designed trigger guard / magazine housing assembly, when the bolt is open and fully retracted to the rear the full ] 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.
Both Dutch and ] rifles fired the same rimmed cartridge often referred to as "Romanian" 6.5x53.5mmR or "Dutch 6.5" ]. It was also known as the .256 Mannlicher.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cartridgecollector.net/cartridge/256-mannlicher/ | title=256 Mannlicher }}</ref> In military service, Dutch M.95 rifles (]) cartridges are loaded primarily through the use of an '']'', similar in concept to the clip used later by the US Army's ]. With the ] 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.
This same cartridge in the early Imperial (English) nomenclature called the '''.256 Mannlicher''' also saw limited success as a sporting round, including use by the elephant hunter ].
==History==
==History==
In the 1880s, two important developments took place that disrupted the current armament paradigm: the adoption of repeating (i.e. magazine) rifles, and the invention of smokeless gunpowder. On 23 February 1886, the Dutch Minister of War appointed a "commission for the purpose of evaluating the rifle question", which was tasked with gathering information on the new system of repeating rifles. As the matter of finding a new rifle was regarded a longterm goal, the immediate adoption of a magazine rifle was also considered. By 1888, the ] rifle was modified with a 4-round ] magazine, to serve as an interim solution to "the rifle question".
In the 1880s, two important developments took place that disrupted the current armament paradigm: the adoption of repeating (i.e. magazine) rifles, and the invention of smokeless gunpowder. On 23 February 1886, the Dutch Minister of War appointed a "commission for the purpose of evaluating the rifle question", which was tasked with gathering information on the new system of repeating rifles. As the matter of finding a new rifle was regarded a long-term goal, the immediate adoption of a magazine rifle was also considered. By 1888, the ] rifle was modified with a 4-round ] magazine, to serve as an interim solution.
With regards to adopting a new rifle, the commission utilised two principles: The rifle had to have been adopted or at least been considered for adoption by other nations, and the commission would focus on the barrel, bolt, and cartridge of the system. A further question was the inclusion of a magazine cut-off device, allowing the weapon to be used as a ] rifle, much like the Beaumont-Vitali M71/88 just adopted. In 1890, the chief of the General Staff and the Inspector of the Infantry allowed the commission to ignore the magazine cut-off function, allowing the rifle to be a "pure" repeater. Nine rifles using a clip system of loading were trialled: the Austrian Mannlicher 1886, the Italian Vinci rifle, a so-called Bergman rifle, a Belgian ] rifle, an improved Belgian Pieper rifle, the ] rifle, a Swiss Frey rifle made by the ] factory, the German ] rifle, and an improved Mannlicher rifle of the August Schriever factory of ], Belgium. The latter had his own firearms factory, in addition to being an agent of the Oesterrreichishe Waffenfabriks Gesellschaft Steyr.
With regards to adopting a new rifle, the commission utilised two principles: The rifle had to have been adopted or at least been considered for adoption by other nations, and the commission would focus on the barrel, bolt, and cartridge of the system. A further question was the inclusion of a magazine cut-off device, allowing the weapon to be used as a ] rifle, much like the Beaumont-Vitali M71/88 just adopted. In 1890, the chief of the General Staff and the Inspector of the Infantry allowed the commission to ignore the magazine cut-off function, allowing the rifle to be a "pure" repeater. Nine rifles using a clip system of loading were trialled: the Austrian Mannlicher 1886, the Italian Vinci rifle, a so-called Bergman rifle,{{Clarification needed|date=May 2022}} a Belgian ] rifle, an improved Belgian Pieper rifle, the ] rifle, a Swiss Frey rifle made by the ] factory, the German ] rifle, and an improved Mannlicher rifle from the August Schriever factory in Belgium. The latter had his own firearms factory, in addition to being an agent of the Oesterrreichishe Waffenfabriks Gesellschaft Steyr.
Some rifles were immediately disqualified: The Vinci rifle was provided with too little ammunition for testing; the German rifle was provided without any ammunition at all. It was recommended to create a rifle from the best elements of those rifles provided, with the August Schriever Mannlicher rifle being the preferred base rifle. At the final moment however, the Nagant firm submitted a new and improved rifle, using a Mauser style stripper clip.
Some rifles were immediately disqualified: The Vinci rifle was provided with too little ammunition for testing; the German rifle was provided without any ammunition at all. It was recommended to create a rifle from the best elements of those rifles provided, with the August Schriever Mannlicher rifle being the preferred base rifle. At the final moment however, the Nagant firm submitted a new and improved rifle, using a Mauser style stripper clip.
It was thus decided to trial both rifles, and by the end of November 1890, both manufacturers were asked to provide the necessary rifles for a large scale trial. Both manufacturers agreed to provide the rifles, at the exorbitant price of 155 ]. Following further small scale trials, the commission decided to focus on three rifles: the German 1888, the August Schriever modified Mannlicher, and the Nagant rifle. As ammunition for the German 1888 was finally acquired in December 1890, the weapon was subjected to trials, and subsequently removed from consideration: it was possible to cause a double-feed with the German 1888 rifle, resulting in the tip of the rear cartridge's bullet hitting the chambered cartridge's primer, with catastrophic results.
It was thus decided to trial both rifles, and by the end of November 1890, both manufacturers were asked to provide the necessary rifles for a large scale trial. Both manufacturers agreed to provide the rifles, at the price of 155 ]s. Following further small scale trials, the commission decided to focus on three rifles: the German 1888, the August Schriever modified Mannlicher, and the Nagant rifle. As ammunition for the German 1888 was finally acquired in December 1890, the weapon was subjected to trials, and subsequently removed from consideration: it was possible to cause a double-feed with the German 1888 rifle, resulting in the tip of the rear cartridge's bullet hitting the chambered cartridge's primer, with catastrophic results.
Although the commission initially focused on a calibre of 7.5 to 8 millimetres, a Schriever rifle with an Italian barrel chambered for 6.5mm was also trialled. As the commission concluded no downsides to the 6.5 cartridge in comparison to a trialled 7.65mm cartridge, 6.5mm was given preference due to its lower weight. As the Mannlicher style of loading was preferred, the matter was almost settled, with the Schriever modified Mannlicher being the preferred candidate.
Although the commission initially focused on a calibre of 7.5 to 8 millimetres, a Schriever rifle with an Italian barrel chambered for 6.5 mm was also trialled. As the commission concluded no downsides to the 6.5mm cartridge in comparison to a trialled 7.65mm cartridge, 6.5mm was given preference due to its lower weight. As the Mannlicher style of loading was preferred, the matter was almost settled, with the Schriever modified Mannlicher being the preferred candidate.
In March 1892, a draft contract for 100 rifles was submitted to the Minister of War for his approval. At this moment, the issue of carry method was raised. Was the weapon to be carried with slings, and if so, how? After deciding on a German style of sling and sling attachment, the question of a hand guard was raised. Following small changes to the stock and barrel bands, this issue too was settled. Finally, small adjustments were made to the sight and other small parts, until the weapon was officially designated the Geweer M.95 on 4 December 1895.<ref name= NVL40-56/>
In March 1892, a draft contract for 100 rifles was submitted to the Minister of War for his approval. Following small changes to the stock and barrel bands, the sight and other small parts, and the weapon was officially designated the Geweer M. 95 on 4 December 1895.<ref name= NVL40-56/>
The rifle was the standard weapon of the ] (KNIL) until the Japanese invasion.<ref name="ArmsControl">{{cite book|title=The Control of local conflict : a design study on arms control and limited war in the developing areas|volume=3|last1=Bloomfield|first1= Lincoln P.|last2=Leiss|first2=Amelia Catherine<!--|last3=Legere|first3= Laurence J.|last4= Barringer|first4= Richard E.|last5=Fisher|first5= R. Lucas|last6= Hoagland|first6= John H.|last7=Fraser|first7= Janet|last8=Ramers|first8=Robert K-->|publisher=Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Center for International Studies|url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA324492.pdf#page=82|date=30 June 1967|hdl=2027/uiug.30112064404368|page=77}}</ref> M.95 rifles were later used by both sides during the ].{{sfn|Bloomfield|Leiss|1967|p=89}}{{sfn|Bloomfield|Leiss|1967|p=96}} After the conclusion of the war, the remaining rifles were handed over by the KNIL to the new ].{{sfn|Bloomfield|Leiss|1967|p=85}} In 1950s, Indonesian Armed Forces rechambered their M.95 rifles and carbines into ],<ref>{{Cite web|date=|title=Indonesian M95 Mannlicher Rifle 1954 303 British REF|url=https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=4797|access-date=2021-02-02|website=libertytreecollectors.com|language=en|archive-date=2 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202022343/https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=4797|url-status=live}}</ref> and ] were added to the carbine variant.<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 January 2006|title=Indonesian M95 Dutch Carbine|url=https://www.angelfire.com/realm/cruffler/Pages/indonesian_m95_dutch_carbine.htm|access-date=2021-02-02|website=angelfire.com|language=en|archive-date=2 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202031402/https://www.angelfire.com/realm/cruffler/Pages/indonesian_m95_dutch_carbine.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2 January 2003|title=New stuff from Empire Arms for Thursday, January 2nd, 2003|url=https://www.empirearms.com/010203.htm|access-date=2021-02-02|website=empirearms.com|language=en|archive-date=31 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831180013/http://www.empirearms.com/010203.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The M. 95 remained in Dutch colonial service at least to 1955, where it was in use by the police force of ].
The rifle was the standard weapon of the ] (KNIL) until the Japanese invasion.<ref name="ArmsControl">{{cite book|title=The Control of local conflict : a design study on arms control and limited war in the developing areas|volume=3|last1=Bloomfield|first1= Lincoln P.|last2=Leiss|first2=Amelia Catherine<!--|last3=Legere|first3= Laurence J.|last4= Barringer|first4= Richard E.|last5=Fisher|first5= R. Lucas|last6= Hoagland|first6= John H.|last7=Fraser|first7= Janet|last8=Ramers|first8=Robert K-->|publisher=Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Center for International Studies|url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA324492.pdf#page=82|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804022404/https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA324492.pdf#page=82|url-status=live|archive-date=4 August 2020|date=30 June 1967|hdl=2027/uiug.30112064404368|page=77}}</ref> M.95 rifles were later used by both sides during the ].{{sfn|Bloomfield|Leiss|1967|p=89}}{{sfn|Bloomfield|Leiss|1967|p=96}} After the conclusion of the war, the remaining rifles were handed over by the KNIL to the new ].{{sfn|Bloomfield|Leiss|1967|p=85}} In the 1950s, Indonesian Armed Forces rechambered their M.95 rifles and carbines into ],<ref>{{Cite web|date=|title=Indonesian M95 Mannlicher Rifle 1954 303 British REF|url=https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=4797|access-date=2021-02-02|website=libertytreecollectors.com|language=en|archive-date=2 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202022343/https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=4797|url-status=live}}</ref> and ] were added to the carbine variant.<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 January 2006|title=Indonesian M95 Dutch Carbine|url=https://www.angelfire.com/realm/cruffler/Pages/indonesian_m95_dutch_carbine.htm|access-date=2021-02-02|website=]|language=en|archive-date=2 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202031402/https://www.angelfire.com/realm/cruffler/Pages/indonesian_m95_dutch_carbine.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2 January 2003|title=New stuff from Empire Arms for Thursday, January 2nd, 2003|url=https://www.empirearms.com/010203.htm|access-date=2021-02-02|website=empirearms.com|language=en|archive-date=31 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831180013/http://www.empirearms.com/010203.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The M. 95 remained in Dutch colonial service at least to 1955, where it was in use by the police force of ].
==Variants==
==Variants==
Nine variants were produced, these were largely carbines differing only in sling swivels. These included :
Nine variants were produced, these were largely carbines differing only in sling swivels. These included :
*]]'''Karabijn No.1 Oud Model''' ("old model")(introduced in 1896)<ref>Nederlandse Vuurwapens: Landmacht en Luchtvaartafdeling, drs G. de Vries & drs B.J. Martens, p.75</ref> designed for the cavalry and the ]. It later became the official carbine of the ] (''Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger'', ]) in 1911 (1925 for the non-European units in Java).<ref>{{cite book|title=Royal Netherlands East Indies Army 1936–42|series=Men-at-Arms 521|first=Marc|last= Lohnstein |date=23 Aug 2018|isbn=9781472833754 |page=20|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U2dkDwAAQBAJ|publisher=Osprey Publishing}}</ref>
*]]Karabijn No.1 Oud Model ("old model")(introduced in 1896)<ref>Nederlandse Vuurwapens: Landmacht en Luchtvaartafdeling, drs G. de Vries & drs B.J. Martens, p.75</ref> designed for the cavalry and the ]. It later became the official carbine of the ] (''Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger'', ]) in 1911 (1925 for the non-European units in Java).<ref>{{cite book|title=Royal Netherlands East Indies Army 1936–42|series=Men-at-Arms 521|first=Marc|last= Lohnstein |date=23 Aug 2018|isbn=9781472833754 |page=20|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U2dkDwAAQBAJ|publisher=Osprey Publishing}}</ref>
*'''Karabijn No.2''' for the ] with a knife bayonet.
*Karabijn No.2 for the ] with a knife bayonet.
*'''Karabijn No.3''' pioneer and artillery ] model
*Karabijn No.3 pioneer and artillery ] model
*'''Karabijn No.4''', a shortened M.95 (designed in 1909) created for the Dutch ] that had a wooden ] on the left side of the magazine.
*Karabijn No.4, a shortened M.95 (designed in 1909) created for the Dutch ] that had a wooden ] on the left side of the magazine.
*'''M.95 ''Loopgraafgeweer''''' ("trench gun"), a ] version of the M.95, designed in 1916 for ].
*M.95 ''Loopgraafgeweer'' ("trench gun"), a ] version of the M.95, designed in 1916 for ].
Around 1930, new models (''Nieuw Model'') of the No.1, No.2, No.3 and No.4 were introduced.
Around 1930, new models (''Nieuw Model'') of the No.1, No.2, No.3 and No.4 were introduced.
In 1936 a shorter No.5 carbine model was introduced. It was a Geweer M95 cut down to carbine size. The first 9,500 were issued to field artillery and anti-aircraft artillery. A total 35,500 were rebuilt in all.
In 1936 a shorter No.5 carbine model was introduced.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.grebbeberg.nl/index.php?page=geweer-en-karabijn-m-95 | title=Geweer en karabijn M.95 - de Slag om de Grebbeberg en Betuwestelling in mei 1940 }}</ref> It was a Geweer M95 cut down to carbine size. The first 9,500 were issued to field artillery and anti-aircraft artillery. A total 35,500 were rebuilt in all.
===Beutewaffen designations===
===Beutewaffen designations===
After Germany ] the Netherlands, its captured weapons (''beutewaffen'') were catalogued for German use. ''G'' stands for Gewehr ("Rifle"), ''Gr. G'' stands for Graben-Gewehr ("Trench Rifle"), ''K'' stands for Karabiner ("Carbine"), and ''(h)'' stands for ''holländisch'' ("Dutch").
After Germany ] the Netherlands, its captured weapons (''beutewaffen'') were catalogued for German use. ''G'' stands for Gewehr ("Rifle"), ''Gr. G'' stands for Graben-Gewehr ("Trench Rifle"), ''K'' stands for Karabiner ("Carbine"), and ''(h)'' stands for ''holländisch'' ("Dutch").
*G 211 (h) = ''Geweer M1895'' (Mannlicher M1895 Infantry Rifle)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dws-xip.com/encyklopedia/kbm95-nl/ | title=Karabin Het geweer M.95 (Mannlicher) | Encyklopedia Uzbrojenia II Wojny Światowej }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.waroverholland.nl/index.php?page=rifle-and-carabine-m-95 | title=Dutch hand-guns [War over Holland - May 1940: The Dutch struggle] }}</ref>
*Gr. G 212 (h) = ''Loopgraafgeweer M1895'' (Mannlicher M1895 trench rifle)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dws-xip.com/encyklopedia/kbm95-nl/ | title=Karabin Het geweer M.95 (Mannlicher) | Encyklopedia Uzbrojenia II Wojny Światowej }}</ref>
*'''K 413 (h)''' = ''Karabijn No.3 Oud Model & Nieuw Model'' (carbine No. 3 Old Model and New Model, artillery & pioneers)
*K 413 (h) = ''Karabijn No.3 Oud Model & Nieuw Model'' (carbine No. 3 Old Model and New Model, artillery & pioneers)
*'''K 414 (h)''' = ''Karabijn No.4 Oud Model & Nieuw Model'' (carbine No. 4 Old Model and New Model, bicyclists)
*K 414 (h) = ''Karabijn No.4 Oud Model & Nieuw Model'' (carbine No. 4 Old Model and New Model, bicyclists)
The No.2 carbine was not classified because few, if any, were captured. The No.5 carbine was classified as a ''Geweer M95''.
The No.2 carbine was not classified because few, if any, were captured. The No.5 carbine was classified as a ''Geweer M95''.
==Ammunition==
Due to very close dimensional relationships, ] cartridge cases can be made by resizing and trimming ]<ref>{{cite web |title=CIP. 303 British |url=https://bobp.cip-bobp.org/uploads/tdcc/tab-ii/tabiical-en-page74.pdf |website=bobp.cip-bobp.org |access-date=18 May 2023}}</ref> or ] (.30-40 US)<ref>{{cite web |title=CIP 30-40 Krag |url=https://bobp.cip-bobp.org/uploads/tdcc/tab-ii/30-40-krag-en.pdf |website=bobp.cip-bobp.org |access-date=18 May 2023}}</ref> brass, and ] the resulting altered brass cases in the ] chamber. Alteration of the original rifle chamber by re-chambering the barrel with a 6.5x57R<ref name="bobp.cip-bobp.org">{{cite web |title=CIP 6,5 x 57 R |url=https://bobp.cip-bobp.org/uploads/tdcc/tab-ii/tabiical-en-page15.pdf |website=bobp.cip-bobp.org |access-date=18 May 2023}}</ref> (see:]) chamber reamer has also been done, but the overall length of the original 6.5x53mmR Dutch cartridge has to be maintained by seating the projectile more deeply in order to fit the original magazine.
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 a Dutch state weapon factory in Zaandam known by the name of close by Hembrug bridge. 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. 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. It was also known as the .256 Mannlicher. 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.
History
In the 1880s, two important developments took place that disrupted the current armament paradigm: the adoption of repeating (i.e. magazine) rifles, and the invention of smokeless gunpowder. On 23 February 1886, the Dutch Minister of War appointed a "commission for the purpose of evaluating the rifle question", which was tasked with gathering information on the new system of repeating rifles. As the matter of finding a new rifle was regarded a long-term goal, the immediate adoption of a magazine rifle was also considered. By 1888, the M1871 Beaumont rifle was modified with a 4-round Vitali magazine, to serve as an interim solution.
With regards to adopting a new rifle, the commission utilised two principles: The rifle had to have been adopted or at least been considered for adoption by other nations, and the commission would focus on the barrel, bolt, and cartridge of the system. A further question was the inclusion of a magazine cut-off device, allowing the weapon to be used as a single-shot rifle, much like the Beaumont-Vitali M71/88 just adopted. In 1890, the chief of the General Staff and the Inspector of the Infantry allowed the commission to ignore the magazine cut-off function, allowing the rifle to be a "pure" repeater. Nine rifles using a clip system of loading were trialled: the Austrian Mannlicher 1886, the Italian Vinci rifle, a so-called Bergman rifle, a Belgian Mosin–Nagant rifle, an improved Belgian Pieper rifle, the Krag–Jørgensen rifle, a Swiss Frey rifle made by the Neuhausen factory, the German Gewehr 1888 rifle, and an improved Mannlicher rifle from the August Schriever factory in Belgium. The latter had his own firearms factory, in addition to being an agent of the Oesterrreichishe Waffenfabriks Gesellschaft Steyr.
Some rifles were immediately disqualified: The Vinci rifle was provided with too little ammunition for testing; the German rifle was provided without any ammunition at all. It was recommended to create a rifle from the best elements of those rifles provided, with the August Schriever Mannlicher rifle being the preferred base rifle. At the final moment however, the Nagant firm submitted a new and improved rifle, using a Mauser style stripper clip.
It was thus decided to trial both rifles, and by the end of November 1890, both manufacturers were asked to provide the necessary rifles for a large scale trial. Both manufacturers agreed to provide the rifles, at the price of 155 Dutch guilders. Following further small scale trials, the commission decided to focus on three rifles: the German 1888, the August Schriever modified Mannlicher, and the Nagant rifle. As ammunition for the German 1888 was finally acquired in December 1890, the weapon was subjected to trials, and subsequently removed from consideration: it was possible to cause a double-feed with the German 1888 rifle, resulting in the tip of the rear cartridge's bullet hitting the chambered cartridge's primer, with catastrophic results.
Although the commission initially focused on a calibre of 7.5 to 8 millimetres, a Schriever rifle with an Italian barrel chambered for 6.5 mm was also trialled. As the commission concluded no downsides to the 6.5mm cartridge in comparison to a trialled 7.65mm cartridge, 6.5mm was given preference due to its lower weight. As the Mannlicher style of loading was preferred, the matter was almost settled, with the Schriever modified Mannlicher being the preferred candidate.
In March 1892, a draft contract for 100 rifles was submitted to the Minister of War for his approval. Following small changes to the stock and barrel bands, the sight and other small parts, and the weapon was officially designated the Geweer M. 95 on 4 December 1895.
The rifle was the standard weapon of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) until the Japanese invasion. M.95 rifles were later used by both sides during the Indonesian National Revolution. After the conclusion of the war, the remaining rifles were handed over by the KNIL to the new Indonesian Armed Forces. In the 1950s, Indonesian Armed Forces rechambered their M.95 rifles and carbines into .303 British, and muzzle brake were added to the carbine variant. The M. 95 remained in Dutch colonial service at least to 1955, where it was in use by the police force of Suriname.
Variants
Nine variants were produced, these were largely carbines differing only in sling swivels. These included :
Dutch Geweer M95 carbine variant from the leftDutch Geweer M95 carbine variant from the rightKarabijn No.1 Oud Model ("old model")(introduced in 1896) designed for the cavalry and the Marechaussee. It later became the official carbine of the KNIL (Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger, Royal Netherlands East Indies Army) in 1911 (1925 for the non-European units in Java).
Around 1930, new models (Nieuw Model) of the No.1, No.2, No.3 and No.4 were introduced.
In 1936 a shorter No.5 carbine model was introduced. It was a Geweer M95 cut down to carbine size. The first 9,500 were issued to field artillery and anti-aircraft artillery. A total 35,500 were rebuilt in all.
Beutewaffen designations
After Germany occupied the Netherlands, its captured weapons (beutewaffen) were catalogued for German use. G stands for Gewehr ("Rifle"), Gr. G stands for Graben-Gewehr ("Trench Rifle"), K stands for Karabiner ("Carbine"), and (h) stands for holländisch ("Dutch").
G 211 (h) = Geweer M1895 (Mannlicher M1895 Infantry Rifle)
Gr. G 212 (h) = Loopgraafgeweer M1895 (Mannlicher M1895 trench rifle)
K 411 (h) = Karabijn No.1 Nieuw Model (carbine No.1 New Model, cavalry)
K 412 (h) = Karabijn No.1 Oud Model (carbine No. 1 Old Model, cavalry)
K 413 (h) = Karabijn No.3 Oud Model & Nieuw Model (carbine No. 3 Old Model and New Model, artillery & pioneers)
K 414 (h) = Karabijn No.4 Oud Model & Nieuw Model (carbine No. 4 Old Model and New Model, bicyclists)
The No.2 carbine was not classified because few, if any, were captured. The No.5 carbine was classified as a Geweer M95.
Ammunition
Due to very close dimensional relationships, boxer-primed cartridge cases can be made by resizing and trimming .303 British or .30-40 Krag (.30-40 US) brass, and Fire forming the resulting altered brass cases in the 6.5x53R chamber. Alteration of the original rifle chamber by re-chambering the barrel with a 6.5x57R (see:6.5×57mm Mauser) chamber reamer has also been done, but the overall length of the original 6.5x53mmR Dutch cartridge has to be maintained by seating the projectile more deeply in order to fit the original magazine.
The Geweer Model 1895
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The M.95 periscope rifle
Scheme of operation
A No.3 Old Model Carbine, from the Swedish Army Museum.
Bayonet and scabbard issued with the rifle
A class at the Suriname Police School in 1955, practice field-stripping
