I inherited this from my Grandpa and am looking for information on it. I think it is a Dutch Mannlicher Model 1895 but am not sure. It looks as though it has been sportized as the handguard and sights have been removed. It has matching serial numbers everywhere, even on the stock, under the barrel. It also has a marking that appears to say Hembrug above a crown over W that splits the date 1896? But it says Steyr 1896 on the left side of the receiver. I found some M95 clips (w/Nazi emblems) but they do not fit. Does that make it the 6.5x53R? The barrel is 24” and the overall length is 44¼”.
Dutch Mannlicher Model 1895
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Definitely a sporterised M95 Nederlander
Calibre 6,5x53R Clips are curved, and usually varnished (the East Indies version).
The clips are symmetrical (go in either way up)
The so-called "Nazi " clips are for a totally different M95, the Straight Pull M95/30 in 8x56R, a much larger (fatter) case. These clips are asymmetrical ( go in only one way, the "right" way).
Rifle itself, a contract rifle made by Steyr in 1896 (receiver marking. The stock marking (Hembrug) and the "W" mark refer to Dutch acceptance and property (W-- Queen Wilhelmina, from the 1890s till after WW II...long lived these Dutch Royals) Hembrug was the main Dutch Arms factory, and they actually made the M95 during WW I (Holland was "neutral" and so cut off from Steyr supply.)
The barrel ( 24 inches) (cut back from a 30 inch Long rifle Barrel) Makes an excellent Deer rifle. I have a Pape of Newcastle (UK) set up M93 (Romanian) Mannlicher, essentially the predecessor of the M95 Dutch, same calibre etc, but with English sights (both Express and fold away receiver aperture). English and European Gunsmiths regularly bought Barreled actions from Steyr to make Quality Sporter rifles, especially for deer-sized Game.
6,5mm was the supreme Deer and Mountain Calibre.
Ammunition: get a set of reloading dies from CH4D or RCBS. Get some .303 British (Remchester) Cases. Get a .308 Win die.
Then Lube the cases, set the shoulder back with the .308 case die; then wipe the excess lube off the case, and size in the 6,5 Die. I use a 7mm-08 die as an intermediate.
That way one doesn't collapse the brass neck or shoulder.
Once the cases are formed, trim them back from 56-57mm to 53mm...I use a mini-lathe for this, but a normal case trimmer will do (although slow). Debur and clean off all lube ( wash in hot water and dishwasher detergent, or use Hydrocarbon solvent).
Loading: best loads are using 156 grain Round Nose projectiles of .264 diameter. ( closest approximation to Factory Military and commercial loads). One can use 139-140 grainers, but the full "Punch" of the cartridge comes from the heavier bullet.
Powder charges wander around the 30 grains 3031 or 4895 types of Powders. Powder capacity of the 6,5x53R is the same as for the 6,5x54 Greek Mannlicher Schoenauer, or the 6,5 Carcano.
Aim for velocities in the 2,200 to 2,500 Fps, not more with the lighter pills, and 2,000 to 2,300 with the heavier ones, if you are into chrony-ing your loads.
I fire both original Dutch Military ammo (occasionally "re-primed" as the old (1930s) primers (Berdan, Corrosive and funny sized) are cactus..not a problem for a forty-year-Berdanner, with a good supply of 5,0 mm Berdan primers for this number. (==.199").
I also use "made" cases from both Commercial and Military .303 cases, Boxer and Berdan...I have been making 6,5x53R since 1967 (first M95 was a KNIL (Indies) bringback of WW II M95 Carbine.)
Commercial cases most closely approximate the DM case diameter at the rim and head ( .530/.450) whilst Military .303 will be a bit heavier, and take up any chamber slop and headspace issues. Of course, commercial formed cases hold a bit more powder, so adjust your loads according to case origin.
Good luck with your Rifle. To much converted to return to Military configuration, but a good piece none the less...If you are in Deer country, it should be a cinch to make a few roiunds and bring home the venison.
Regards,
Doc AV
AV Ballistics.
Ex Deerhinter ( once, in New Zealand) from Down Under.
Calibre 6,5x53R Clips are curved, and usually varnished (the East Indies version).
The clips are symmetrical (go in either way up)
The so-called "Nazi " clips are for a totally different M95, the Straight Pull M95/30 in 8x56R, a much larger (fatter) case. These clips are asymmetrical ( go in only one way, the "right" way).
Rifle itself, a contract rifle made by Steyr in 1896 (receiver marking. The stock marking (Hembrug) and the "W" mark refer to Dutch acceptance and property (W-- Queen Wilhelmina, from the 1890s till after WW II...long lived these Dutch Royals) Hembrug was the main Dutch Arms factory, and they actually made the M95 during WW I (Holland was "neutral" and so cut off from Steyr supply.)
The barrel ( 24 inches) (cut back from a 30 inch Long rifle Barrel) Makes an excellent Deer rifle. I have a Pape of Newcastle (UK) set up M93 (Romanian) Mannlicher, essentially the predecessor of the M95 Dutch, same calibre etc, but with English sights (both Express and fold away receiver aperture). English and European Gunsmiths regularly bought Barreled actions from Steyr to make Quality Sporter rifles, especially for deer-sized Game.
6,5mm was the supreme Deer and Mountain Calibre.
Ammunition: get a set of reloading dies from CH4D or RCBS. Get some .303 British (Remchester) Cases. Get a .308 Win die.
Then Lube the cases, set the shoulder back with the .308 case die; then wipe the excess lube off the case, and size in the 6,5 Die. I use a 7mm-08 die as an intermediate.
That way one doesn't collapse the brass neck or shoulder.
Once the cases are formed, trim them back from 56-57mm to 53mm...I use a mini-lathe for this, but a normal case trimmer will do (although slow). Debur and clean off all lube ( wash in hot water and dishwasher detergent, or use Hydrocarbon solvent).
Loading: best loads are using 156 grain Round Nose projectiles of .264 diameter. ( closest approximation to Factory Military and commercial loads). One can use 139-140 grainers, but the full "Punch" of the cartridge comes from the heavier bullet.
Powder charges wander around the 30 grains 3031 or 4895 types of Powders. Powder capacity of the 6,5x53R is the same as for the 6,5x54 Greek Mannlicher Schoenauer, or the 6,5 Carcano.
Aim for velocities in the 2,200 to 2,500 Fps, not more with the lighter pills, and 2,000 to 2,300 with the heavier ones, if you are into chrony-ing your loads.
I fire both original Dutch Military ammo (occasionally "re-primed" as the old (1930s) primers (Berdan, Corrosive and funny sized) are cactus..not a problem for a forty-year-Berdanner, with a good supply of 5,0 mm Berdan primers for this number. (==.199").
I also use "made" cases from both Commercial and Military .303 cases, Boxer and Berdan...I have been making 6,5x53R since 1967 (first M95 was a KNIL (Indies) bringback of WW II M95 Carbine.)
Commercial cases most closely approximate the DM case diameter at the rim and head ( .530/.450) whilst Military .303 will be a bit heavier, and take up any chamber slop and headspace issues. Of course, commercial formed cases hold a bit more powder, so adjust your loads according to case origin.
Good luck with your Rifle. To much converted to return to Military configuration, but a good piece none the less...If you are in Deer country, it should be a cinch to make a few roiunds and bring home the venison.
Regards,
Doc AV
AV Ballistics.
Ex Deerhinter ( once, in New Zealand) from Down Under.
Thanks for the great info.
I found this webpage in another posting on this forum:
http://www.collectie.legermuseum.nl/strategion/strategion/i004827.html
It states that the only way to differentiate between the Army and Navy M95 models is the serial number. Does anyone know how to determine whether an M95 is the Army or Navy model?
I found this webpage in another posting on this forum:
http://www.collectie.legermuseum.nl/strategion/strategion/i004827.html
It states that the only way to differentiate between the Army and Navy M95 models is the serial number. Does anyone know how to determine whether an M95 is the Army or Navy model?
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Our sponsor RC arms has the bloc clips for that rifle.
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Hi afpilot,
Yes, Royal Marine M95's are usually dated 1896, made at Steyr, and most importantly, their serial number has no letter prefix or suffix. Your rifle, in its original state, was a rare Netherlands Royal Marine Corps M.95.
Regards,
John
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