Dutch Mannlicher
Encyclopedia
The Dutch Mannlicher, also known as the M.95 (Model 1895), was the service rifle
of the Armed forces of the Netherlands between 1895 and 1945. At first it was produced by Steyr
for the Dutch, but after 1904 production took place under license at Hembrug Zaandam in the Netherlands. It was based on the earlier Mannlicher 1893 offered by Steyr to Romania, which was itself a somewhat modernized version of the German Model 1888 Commission rifle. Both Dutch and Romanian rifles fired the same 6,5 x 53,5mm bullet often referred to as "Romanian" or "Dutch 6.5". The Dutch issued about 470,000 M.95s. The cartridge also saw limited success as a sporting round, including use by the famous elephant hunter W. D. M. Bell.
The M.95 was fairly modern when adopted, but painfully obsolete by the end of its service life. The Dutch military lacked the funds to replace it; and as such it remained in service for 47 years, making it one of the world's longest serving issue rifles. A staggering number 6 variants (largely carbines differing only in sling swivels) were produced, among which were:
During the German invasion in 1940
, light infantry armed with the M.95 proved to be easily outgunned when confronting the Nazi troops armed with large numbers of light machine guns, sub-machine guns like the MP40
and rifles like the Karabiner 98k
. In 1942, Dutch East Indian troops were issued with American and British arms ending the use of the M.95, though postwar some Indian rifles were refitted to use .303 British
ammunition and issued as constabulary arms.
Service rifle
The service rifle of a given army or armed force is that which it issues as standard to its soldiers. In modern forces, this is typically a highly versatile and rugged assault rifle suitable for use in nearly all theatres and environments...
of the Armed forces of the Netherlands between 1895 and 1945. At first it was produced by Steyr
Steyr
Steyr is a town, located in the Austrian federal state of Upper Austria. The town is situated at the confluence of the rivers Steyr and Enns. Steyr is Austria's 12th most populated town and simultaneously the 3rd largest town in Upper Austria....
for the Dutch, but after 1904 production took place under license at Hembrug Zaandam in the Netherlands. It was based on the earlier Mannlicher 1893 offered by Steyr to Romania, which was itself a somewhat modernized version of the German Model 1888 Commission rifle. Both Dutch and Romanian rifles fired the same 6,5 x 53,5mm bullet often referred to as "Romanian" or "Dutch 6.5". The Dutch issued about 470,000 M.95s. The cartridge also saw limited success as a sporting round, including use by the famous elephant hunter W. D. M. Bell.
The M.95 was fairly modern when adopted, but painfully obsolete by the end of its service life. The Dutch military lacked the funds to replace it; and as such it remained in service for 47 years, making it one of the world's longest serving issue rifles. A staggering number 6 variants (largely carbines differing only in sling swivels) were produced, among which were:
- M.95 LoopgraafgeweerM.95 (periscope variant)The M.95 Loopgraafgeweer was a Dutch periscope rifle, designed in 1916 for the Royal Dutch Army, based on the M.95 , the standard issue rifle of the Dutch armed forces between 1895 and 1942. Though the Netherlands remained neutral during World War I, the Dutch military observed the Western Front...
, a M.95 (designed in 1916) with a periscope designed for trench warfareTrench warfareTrench warfare is a form of occupied fighting lines, consisting largely of trenches, in which troops are largely immune to the enemy's small arms fire and are substantially sheltered from artillery...
. - Karabijn No.4, a shortened M.95 (designed in 1909) created for the Dutch bicycle troops that had a wooden fairing on the left side of the magazine.
During the German invasion in 1940
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
, light infantry armed with the M.95 proved to be easily outgunned when confronting the Nazi troops armed with large numbers of light machine guns, sub-machine guns like the MP40
MP40
The MP 38 and MP 40 , often called Schmeisser, were submachine guns developed in Nazi Germany and used extensively by paratroopers, tank crews, platoon and squad leaders, and other troops during World War II.-Development:The MP 40 descended from its predecessor, the MP 38, which was in turn based...
and rifles like the Karabiner 98k
Karabiner 98k
The Karabiner 98 Kurz was a bolt action rifle chambered for the 8x57mm IS/7.92×57mm IS cartridge that was adopted as the standard service rifle in 1935 by the German Wehrmacht. It was one of the final developments in the long line of Mauser military rifles...
. In 1942, Dutch East Indian troops were issued with American and British arms ending the use of the M.95, though postwar some Indian rifles were refitted to use .303 British
.303 British
.303 British, or 7.7x56mmR, is a .311 inch calibre rifle and machine gun cartridge first developed in Britain as a blackpowder round put into service in December 1888 for the Lee-Metford rifle, later adapted to use smokeless powders...
ammunition and issued as constabulary arms.