Rifle Model 1890 (Turkish Mauser)

History of Rifle Model 1890 (Turkish Mauser)

In 1890, Turkish authorities ordered a stockpile of Mauser-style bolt-action rifles, designated "Gewehrmodell 1890" ("Turkish Mauser"), which eventually totaled approximately 280,000. These are based on the popular German Mauser model of 1887, which became obsolete in Europe with the arrival of smokeless powder ammunition. Still, the Ottoman Empire needed a rifle that could be used, and the Model 1887 fulfilled that need with its tried-and-true characteristics and sheer utility.

The Turks adopted the rifle in the 7.65x53mm Turkish Mauser cartridge.

Although their ancestors are from the Mauser 1887 model, these rifles are actually more closely related to the Belgian Mauser 1889 model, without the considerably damaged barrel jacket (the Turkish gun used a heavier barrel). A hold-open device was added to the magazine to indicate "last round" feed, and a cut-off device was added on the right side of the receiver near the operator's thumb for easier handling. Despite the changes, the core of the rifle is still a more or less German Mauser.

In fact, many of the bolt-action rifles of the day were attributed to the excellent Mauser bloodline.

Full length wooden stock is used, including fore stock, grip and shoulder stock. The barrel and major metalworking components are embedded in the wooden body, and there is a separate barrel strap at the center and front of the barrel. The bolt handle has the usual ball knob for easy grip.

The trigger is integrated into the rear of the protruding magazine located under the bolt. An adjustable front sight sits ahead of the action, plus a fixed front post for long-range shooting. Sling loops, one on the treadmill and the other on the stock, allow the use of slings for easy transport.

This military rifle was carried by the Turkish army under the flag of the Ottoman Empire during the First World War (1914-1918). During the campaigns of Mesopotamia and Gallipoli, they saw extensive operations against the Allies, and large lands were eventually captured by the enemy. This allowed the Allies to return to service as they conveniently used the same 7.65mm cartridge as their Belgian Mauser counterparts.

Several other modifications were made to the Turkish design to bring it more in line with European Army service standards, although interestingly, these now-modified rifles bear some Turkish markings on them.

Despite the fall of the Ottoman Empire after World War I, rifles continued to circulate in large numbers in the Turkish army until the interwar period. A program was initiated in the 1930s to use some Model 1890 rifles to support the 8x57mm cartridge, although these ended up in small numbers.

The availability of the Model 1890 rifles as a whole ensured their use in World War II (1939-1945). However, as more and more American-made equipment made its way into Europe and the Allies, the Model 1890 seems to have entered firearm history, only to become a rather rare collectible todayespecially in its original Turkish form.

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