Serbian Mauser Rifle M1899 Captured by Austro-Hungary

Serbian Mauser Model 1899 Infantry Rifle (Puska 1899)
7mm M.14 Serbisches RepetierGewehr, System Mauser


Photo courtesy of Dennis Kroh (Empire Arms), showing a Model 1899c, which was shortened, restocked and converted to 7.92x57mm by Serbia in the 1920's.

Made by Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken (DWM), Berlin, 1899-1906
and Made by Oesterreichische Waffenfabriks Gesellschaft (OEWG), Steyr, 1906-10
Turning bolt action with 5-rd charger loaded integral magazine
Caliber 7x57mm Mauser
1230mm overall, 740mm barrel length, 4-groove, rh, conc.
Empty weight 4.03kg
Leaf rear sight graduated to 2000m
Muzzle Velocity 710m/s
M1899 Knife Bayonet

Large number of Serbian M1899 and M1910 Mauser rifles were captured by the Austro-Hungarian forces in Serbia in 1914-15. Captured rifles were issued to 2nd line units in unaltered condition, with captured 7x57mm Mauser ammunition. The rifles were designated '7mm M.14'.
Oberndorf made M1899 rifles carry a cyrillic side rail legend: 'ORUZHNA FABRIKA MAUZERAD OBERNDORF'. Original rifles had a straight stock, no pistol grip.

Serbian Mauser Model 1899/07 Infantry Rifle (Puska Model 99/07)
7mm M.14 Serbisches RepetierGewehr, System Mauser

The Model 99/07 rifle is nearly identical to the M1899. A Model 99/08 was also manufactured, which was apparently identical to the M99/07, except for the Model designation. Austro-Hungary did not differentiate between the captured M1899 and M99/07 and M99/08 rifles. Steyr made M1899/07 rifles carry a cyrillic side rail legend: 'AUSTRIJSKA ORUZHNA FABRIKA STAJER'.

Serbian Mauser Model 1908 Carbine (Karabiner Model 1908)
7mm M.14 Serbisches RepetierGewehr, System Mauser

Made by Oesterreichische Waffenfabriks Gesellschaft, Steyr, 1908-10
Turning bolt action with 5-rd charger loaded integral magazine
Caliber 7x57mm Mauser
953mm [37.5"] overall, 432mm [17"] barrel length, 4-groove, rh, conc.
Empty weight 3.1kg
Leaf rear sight graduated to 1500m

A few Serbian Mauser Model 1908 carbines were captured along with the rifles. Austro-Hungary did not differentiate with a unique designation between the captured M1899 and M99/07 rifles and th M1908 carbine.
The M1908 carbines were made by Steyr and carry a cyrillic side rail legend: 'AUSTRIJSKA ORUZHNA FABRIKA STAJER'. The carbine's action is the similar to the Chilean M1895. The M1908 has a turn-down bolt, a Steyr-style pistol grip, stocked to the muzzle, no bayonet lug.

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