The legendary Mauser

The pistol was developed in 1893 by brothers Federle, who worked on the weapons factory at the other brothers Mauser. Two years have gone on completion of a new model of automatic gun, even when part of Paul Mauser. As the owner of the arms factory was the Mauser design Federle was patented in the name of Paul Mauser, first in Germany (September 11, 1895), and a year later in the UK (1896).



Brothers Wilhelm (left) and Peter Paul Mauser
Serial production of the gun began in 1897 Mauser received a baptism of fire during the First Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). In the military, he immediately gained recognition and success. Until 1908 it was produced 70,000 guns.
Distinctive design features Mauser C-96 was a sight adjustment, shutter, hidden in the receiver, block design USM (trigger mechanism), placed in front of the trigger guard box store, with hinged lid, placed "on the rifle," staggered placement of cartridges. Included with the gun was a wooden holster, which could be used as the butt, turning into a light Mauser carbine. Especially for Mauser, based on the cartridge 7, 65 "Borchardt" was designed cartridge 7, 63 × 25 "Mauser».



In 1900 at the Mauser K-96 were serious competitors, Browning pistol and gun Luger "Parabellum". Against the background of all the shortcomings Mauser became clearly visible, it was difficult to manufacture, sensitive to contamination, it was awkward to be charged and the size of the gun, in comparison with the competitors were simply enormous.
Luger "Parabellum»



Browning pistol



This led to the fact that the adopted Mauser was adopted only in part and that of the lack of Parabellum. At the same time it took to change the caliber 9 mm gun and fit under regular patron 9 × 19 "Parabellum". Converted Mauser for security purposes should be numbered nine on the handle because when firing 9 mm pistol cartridge 7.63 mm are broken trunk.



In Russia the first Mauser appeared in 1897 under the name "Mauser in block" or "Mauser number 2". "Mauser number 1" was called a pocket 6, 35-mm gun. In Russia in 1913 Mauser operated by the pilots of airplanes and automobile and motorcycle parts.
The greatest popularity in Russia after the revolution Mauser acquired through the help of the British White Guard units large number of these guns fall into the hands Basmachi. In 1922 -1930gg. for the Cheka-OGPU and the Red Army was purchased a large number of 7, 63 mm Mauser, these guns were very popular among the Bolsheviks. In the West, they even got the name of "Bolo Mauser" (Bolshevik Mauser).



Mauser Budennogo



Such mass distribution and popularity of gun even led to the fact that in 1928, 7, 63-mm pistol cartridge "Mauser" became a full cartridge. Caliber equaled with the "three-way" 7, 62 mm, and the capsule was used by the cartridge "Revolver».
Mauser K-96 was subjected to repeated upgrades. The upgraded model of the gun in 1912 differed incredible "vitality" and better ballistics. Spanish pistol Astra 900 was developed based on the K-96 scheme. Astra Models 901-904 received translator fire mode. Mauser automatic models 711 and 712 in addition to the interpreter were also, removable magazines for 10, 20 or 40 rounds. But guns translators had extremely low levels of accuracy of fire, so these models Mauser on arms were not accepted. In China, K-96 was nicknamed «Boxed Cannon», copies of different caliber pistol issued up to 45 (11, 43 mm). Like all Chinese copy of the gun had a strong spread of bullets, aiming to shoot a Chinese Mauser was not possible under any circumstances.
Spanish pistol Astra 900



Mauser and used during World War II, and even in Afghanistan, and in Chechnya in the destruction of our soldiers are armed gangs, these legendary pistols, designed a century ago.

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