Unlike previous Mauser designs, this double column magazine was flush with the bottom of the rifle, which contributed to sleek lines and easy handling. The brainchild of Paul Mauser, the Model 1893 sported a double column, internal five round magazine. The 1893 Mauser rifles used by the Spaniards were arguably the finest infantry rifles of their day. Enough said.Īnother astounding development was the bolt-action repeating rifle. The Americans won a costly victory (thanks in part to Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders) and learned an important lesson the hard way, but they learned it well…well enough that they decided to commission a new military rifle and cartridge. The Spaniards illustrated this advantage (along with others) in the battle of San Juan Hill, where a mere 760 soldiers inflicted 5:1 casualties against a force of 15,000 Americans armed with inferior weapons, including single shot blackpowder rifles and the obsolete-as-issued Krag-Jorgensen. Instead of relying on large caliber, heavy projectiles moving at relatively slow speeds, smokeless powder allowed for the first “small bore” cartridges with lighter bullets moving upwards of 2,000 fps. More importantly, though, smokeless powder generated higher pressures, which meant increased velocity, which in turn meant a flatter trajectory and increased effective range.
![1912 chilean mauser front sight 1912 chilean mauser front sight](https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/165125862347_/1912-Chilean-Mauser-Complete-Stock-Stock.jpg)
The giant clouds of smoke that enveloped entire regiments and made command and control difficult disappeared, much to the relief of the generals. The invention of smokeless gun powder, and the weapons and cartridges that used it were pivotal. The late 19 th century and early 20 th century was an exciting time in firearms development. I'm pretty sure this is how authorized resellers get their shipments.