Help me figure out what this is exactly... M95

M

m3conversion

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I bought an Steyr M95 today -I know at least that much. I have some questions about it though.

1. On top of the reciever it says "STEYR M.95" and there is an "S". From what I've read, the S means it's been converted to 8x56R. Is that correct? I got a few rounds with it as well, but they are marked 8x50R with a sharpie.

2. The fellow I bought it from says he got it years ago and never even fired it. Just bought a few rounds at a gun show. Did he just buy the wrong ammo or is it possible that this gun really is chambered in 8x50?

3. Next question is: the number on the bolt matches the receiver, barrel and stock. I know from my limited milsurp experience that that is usually a good thing. Does that mean it was made this way or could the numbers have been added during a refurb? (There's no crossed out markings or extra numbers anywhere else -in fact, that pretty much covers all the markings on the gun except for a "K" on the trigger guard and on the bolt.)

4. Any idea where it was made or how old it would be?

Here's some pics. Hopefully they help.

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Your rifle is an 8x56R, the S stands for Spitzer/pointed bullet. The former just bought the wrong ammo, that is all.
 
I have a 95 Carbine still chambered in 8x50R. It is a 1917 rifle with Vienna proofmarks: obviously police issue. The Army ones seem all to have been converted to 8x56R30M, given that they still were with the original owners, as Austria, Hungary and Bulgaria all converted ammo in the 1930/31 period. This would leave only WW1, First Balkan War and Second Balkan War captures and the few in Chile as escapees from the general change-over. I do know that my 1903 Bulgarian long rifle was converted, that 12mm "S" being the clue which very nearly stumped me back when I got it (1963).

Yes, the 8x50R ammo is rather collectible these days, the $35 a thousand stuff all having disappeared many years ago. The 8x56R never was available in anything but singles and VERY small lots in this country.

NICE thing is that Prvi Partizan is making it in SP and FMJ loads both...... and you can get brass and the special .329" bullets from Trade-Ex. My Bulgarian Rifle heads to the range this coming Spring for only the second time since 1945.

These are very interesting rifles. The actions and barrels are very lightweight for the power: wonderful steel in them. This was not by accident; it was in the design specs before the first rifle was ever made. The action is fast, strong and reliable and the critter itself is light and handy. If it kicks like a horse on steroids, it's because it throws a 208-grain chunk of lead out the front end with almost enough power to derail a fast freight. It WILL flatten anything in in North America.

Historically, the '95 Steyr has been through more wars and invasions than almost any other rifle I can think of. They fought on every side through most of those wars, too. They were ALL made between 1895 and the summer of 1919, which is when manufacture was forbidden by the treaties which ended the First World War. Most were reworked in the 1930s to handle the new ammo. A fascinating history. It's a small miracle that there are any left at all.

At a glance, I would say that the OP's rifle has been reworked twice at least, which includes the 1930/31 rework to fit it for the 8x56R cartridge, and another rework since then. That big-s'd "S" was usually a clear stamping: no mistaking it at all. This marking appears to have been buffed over at some time, likely following the Second War.

You have a Very Nice Toy, friend.
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yes a very fine rifle indeed. I just got my paws on one recently as well. Best $150 ever paid! Managed to score 60 rounds and 6 stripper clips from another 'Nut, and cant wait to shoot this baby! The straight pull action is quite interesting, and comparing to the M-10 Ross (another recent acquisition), not as smooth. I see myself getting some more of these straight-pulls in the future! Enjoy her Brother!
Dr.Oz
 
BTW. the bayonet for these was somewhat unusual in that it, too, was very lightweight..... and it had the TOP edge sharpened rather than the bottom edge as with ours. Only bayonet I have seen with this feature.

Our bayonet-fighting drill called for you to carry the rifle at a 45-degree angle across your front. When the enemy appoached, you already were in position to BLOCK. Then you could PARRY his thrust, directing his rifle to your side, SLASH down his face/arm/body/whatever would do damage, withdrawing your rifle to your right-rear, then the THRUST into his tender guttiwutts, at which time he was supposed to come apart like a rag doll. This would not have worked against the 95, their bayonets being designed for THRUST inward and then RIP UP: no finesse at all, but it would serve to fill hospital beds, were that your aim. A lot of work, even if it was cheaper than buying ammo. Good to know should you be caught in the midst of a reload of your Pattern 1858 Enfield by that big, angry bull Gopher who has announced his intention to gnaw upon your big toe.

Note that the Austrian/Hungarian/Bulgarian bayonet drill was designed as an OFFENSIVE tactic while ours was essentially DEFENSIVE at first and then changed over to the OFFENCE after you had deflected The Other Guy's sticker.

I was most delighted about 3 years ago to discover that TRADE-EX has a supply of these Austro-Hungarian bayonets (bayo only, no scabbards) and that the things are going for the ridiculous price of 20 bucks. I bought one (my first purchase from them) and it is in excellent condition. I put the thing on my weeping little police carbine (it was depressed from being the shortest one around) and it danced around the house, showing off to the others; the Lee-Enfields promptly fixed their Pattern 1907s (in DEFENSIVE mode only) until it quieted down. Now the Bulgarian long Rifle is crying for one, so it's a Good Thing that the pension cheques got here yesterday......

But the things ARE available and they make a fine addition to a fine little rifle.

Hope this helps.
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Nifty rifles! I have several carbines in 8x56R and re-barreled jobs in 8x57. Smellie is right (as usual) about the 8x56R being a great cartridge. They do pack a wallop! I scored a box of Hornady 8x56R at a gun show, plus I have a supply of 1937/38 ammo. A friend has dies and a Lee mold for the .329, so we can hold off a fairly lengthy bull gopher attack.

I also have a full length rifle in 8x56R that is still in cosmoline. It isn't a new rifle though. One of the little re-barreled carbines has a beautiful stock.
 
After WW 2 all the 1895 carbines, which did not take a bayonet and the short rifles which did, were reworked. They were rechambered for the 8x56R cartridge. Some have the sling arrangements for the carbine and short rifle, yours appears to have the carbine sling swivels and the short rifle sling swivels were not added, but the bayonet lug was added.
The correct bayonet for the short rifle had a front sight on the top of the muzzle ring to compensate for the jump of the short rifle.
The Canada War Museum has an 1895 rifle on display with the short rifle bayonet on it. The long rifle bayonet has a plain muzzle ring.
 
Thanks for all the info guys! I really appreciate it.

I have another question now... Any idea where I could buy some ammo to try it out? I'd like to shoot it a couple times before I commit to getting dies, bullets and brass in this odd caliber.
 
Start calling area gunshops and see if they can get you some Prvi. I don't think that any of the dealers at the top have any, but I have been know to be wrong.
 
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