From the December issue, pages 317 - 318.

By Fred Masterton

As well as a Model 1893 Mauser made for Spain by Loewe in Berlin, I have two Model 1893 and two Model 1916 Mauser rifles that were actually made in Spain. While the production figures and descriptions of the German-made rifles are fairly well documented, the reference books I have (see below) are somewhat vague and contradictory as to production of Mausers in Spain, their configurations, details, and markings. The books are:

• Mauser Military Rifles of the World by Ball, 1^st Ed
• Rifles of the World by Walter, 1^st Ed
• Handbook of Military Rifle Marks by Hoffman & Schott, 2^nd Ed
• Mauser Bolt Rifles by Olsen, 3^rd Ed

Given my confusion, I will describe the rifles I have and solicit input on ones in your respective collections. What adds even more uncertainty to the ones in my collection is that none are in completely original configuration.

1. Model 1893 made in Oviedo in 1907. Markings on the receiver bridge are similar to what is shown on page 45 of Handbook of Military Rifle Marks, Spain #2. No receiver gas escape hole or thumb cut in the left receiver rail. The barrel is 22" long, and appears to be original – serial numbers on both the barrel and receiver are identical, and appear to have been struck with the same die. This could be the "Model 1913" described on pages 162 & 163 of Rifles of the World, except that the barrel is 22" rather than 17.6" as Walter specifies.
2. Model 1893, made in Oviedo in 1928. Differs from the above rifle in that there is now an oval gas escape hole in the left side of the receiver, and the barrel was apparently cut down from 29" or so. The present 22" barrel is much thicker than a normal barrel, and is cut off square (as opposed to crowned) at the end. Again, I believe it is the original barrel for the same reasons as above (matching serial numbers).
3. Model 1916(?), converted to 308 Winchester. I only shoot mild handloads in it, in case anyone wants to open THAT can of worms. It looks identical to the picture on page 73 of Mauser Bolt Rifles (including the "lange" rear sight), which Olsen calls a "Spanish Model 93 short rifle, Model 1916". No markings anywhere on the rifle to indicate where it was made. Has a fascist symbol on the receiver ring identical to the one on page 45 of Handbook of Military Rifle Marks, Spain #6. Has both the gas escape hole and a shallow thumb cut in the left receiver rail. The thumb cut is nearly identical to the picture of a Model ’95 carbine on page 72 of Mauser Bolt Rifles (see below).
4. Model 1916(?), bought as stripped receiver. Mechanical details are identical to the one above, but there is no crest on the receiver or any other markings except the serial number. Looks to me as though this one was made in the same factory as the one above.

My first question to the readership concerns the depth of the thumb cut in the receiver wall of Mausers made in Spain. I based the model designations (1893 vs 1916) above on the presence or absence of the thumb cut in the receiver wall, which is not what the references say. Page 182 of Rifles of the World in their description of the Model 1893, states that "all but a few of the guns made in Spain had the left side of the receiver cut to about half-depth to facilitate charger loading". On the same page, they state that all Model 1916’s have full depth cuts in the left rail. Either this information is incorrect, all of my rifles are anomalies, or I just don’t understand the definition of a half or full cut. Their description of the Model 1895 carbine (also on page 182) states that it also has the "half cut". There is a picture of a "Model ’95 carbine" on page 72 of Mauser Bolt Rifles that shows a shallow thumb cut extending to a little above the rib, so I assume this is a half cut. I suppose it is possible that my two Model 1916 rifles with half-depth cuts started their lives as Model 1893’s or Model 1895 carbines, but I seriously doubt it.

My second question to the readership concerns why two very similar models were being produced simultaneously at Oviedo. Both Rifles of the World and Mauser Military Rifles of the World state that the Model 1916’s were made in Oviedo and Industria Guerra de Cataluna (was this a single munitions factory, or several small shops?). According to Rifles of the World, the 1893’s were made in Oviedo from 1893 until 1941, and the 1916’s were made there from 1916 until 1951. This indicates a 25-year period of overlapping production. The Model 1893’s were manufactured in both short and long barreled versions if my two are any indication. Given that the Model 1916 as I understand it is virtually identical functionally to the short barreled 1893, why make the two different models at the same location? It may be simply that there were perceived differences such as Chevy vs Buick, Dodge vs Plymouth, and Ford vs Mercury, and some customers demanded the "new and improved" Model 1916, while others wished to stick with the familiar Model 1893. Another automotive analogy might be the Ford Aerostar and Windstar – there was simply so much demand for the product that Ford kept making Aerostars well after the introduction of the Windstar. The demand for rifles from Oviedo may have been so strong (Spain was in two major wars between 1916 and 1941) that they were not able to shut down the "old" Model 1893 line. Still, both Aerostar and Windstar say "Ford" on the front, while neither of my Model 1916’s have any indication of manufacturer.

In any case, I have compiled a data sheet which should help clear up some of the confusion, assuming I get enough responses. I’ll report on the results in an upcoming issue of MRJ.