Mauser Model 1908

The Mauser Model 1908 were series of Gewehr 98 pattern bolt-action rifles. First produced by Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (DWM) and Mauser, they were exported to Uruguay and Brazil. In this latter country, Brazilian War Material Industry produced upgraded versions until the rifle was replaced by the FN FAL.

This article is about the rifle produced for Brazil. For the Serbian Mauser M1908, see Mauser Model 1895 § Serbian M1899.

Mauser Model 1908
A Mauser Model 1908
TypeBolt-action rifle
Place of originGermany
Service history
In service1908-present
Used byBrazil
Uruguay
Dominican Republic
WarsContestado War
Cangaço conflict
Dominican Civil War
Araguaia Guerrilla War
Production history
ManufacturerDWM
Itajuba arms factory
Produced1908-1968
VariantsModel 1908/34
Model 1935
M1949
M954
M968
Specifications
Mass3.8 kilograms (8.4 lb)
Length125 centimetres (49 in)
Barrel length74.3 centimetres (29.3 in)
Cartridge7×57mm Mauser
ActionBolt-action
Feed system5-round stripper clip, internal magazine
SightsIron sights adjustable to 2,000 metres (2,200 yd)

Design

Model 1908
details of rifle 1908

The Model 1908 rifle was a copy of the Mauser Gewehr 98, chambered in 7×57mm Mauser[1] and with a simple tangent-leaf sight and a longer upper hand-guard.[2] A variant was also shortened to a 1.19 m (47 in)-short rifle configuration.[3]

Models 1935 and 08/34
Brazilian soldiers in 2013 with Mauser 1935 or 08/34 short rifles.

The 7mm Mauser-made Model 1935 rifle was similar to the Model 1908 but featured grasping grooves.[4] A short rifle variant also existed.[5] Not to be confused with the Czech-made Model 1908/34 police carbine (Vz. 12/33), the Model 1908/34 short rifle was an upgraded version of the Model 1908 using local wood.[6]

Later variants

The Mosquetão Itajubá M1949 was a 08/34 short rifle chambered in .30-06 Springfield. The Mosquetão Itajubá M954[6] was a variant fitted with a threaded muzzle, that enabled the use of a flash suppressor or of a grenade launcher. Its buttplate was inspired by the one of the Gewehr 43 (a copy of which was manufactured under the same Itajubá M954 Mosquetão designation).[7]

A Mauser M968 in a ceremony of the Military Police in 2010.

The Mosquetão 7,62mm Modelo 968[6] or M968 was one of the last Mauser service rifle produced. This rifle fired the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge, a grenade launcher was fixed to its barrel and its stock was renforced with rubber. These features were also used on the FN FAL,[8] hence the Mosquefal nickname.[6]

History and service
A Brazilian soldier (left) with a Mauser M1908 (or M1908/34), standing in front of an American sailor with a M1903 Springfield rifle.

Large numbers of Model 1908 rifles and short rifles was purchased between 1908 and 1914.[1] While DWM was the main manufacturer, Mauser produced 100,000 Model 1908 with DWM Obendorf stamps.[9] Some Mauser 1908 saw combat during the Contestado War.[10] Later, Model 1935 rifles and short rifles were purchased in unknown quantities from Mauser.[11][5] They were fielded against the Cangaço bandits.[6] To improve the country's independence from foreign suppliers, the Model 08/34 was produced in Itajuba.[5]

Uruguay received DWM-made Model 1908 rifles and short rifles before 1914 and used them into the 1950s.[12] Several Mystery Mausers, similar to the Model 1908 but chambered in 7.92×57mm Mauser, can be found with Arabic markings or an hexagram.[13]

In the early 1950s, surplus Brazilian 1908 rifles and short rifles were exported to the Dominican Republic.[14] The Brazilian markings were replaced by Dominican markings and the rifles were designated Model 1953.[15] During the US intervention in the Dominican Civil War, these Mauser rifles were found to be very effective since they had longer range than the M16 rifle.[16]

Post-war, Itajuba plant produced the M1949 and M954 short rifles for the Brazilian armed forces.[17] During the Araguaia Guerrilla War, the rebels were able to acquire 7.62 Mausers from the state police of Pará.[18] The M968 was produced for the Brazilian police.[8]

References
  1. Ball 2011, p. 65.
  2. Out 1992, p. 17.
  3. Ball 2011, p. 66.
  4. Out 1992, p. 18.
  5. Ball 2011, p. 70.
  6. Neto, Carlos F. P. (5 April 2011). "Fuzís Mauser no Brasil e as Espingardas da Fábrica de Itajubá (Rev. 2)". armasonline.org (in Portuguese).
  7. Ball 2011, p. 73.
  8. Out 1992, p. 21.
  9. Ball 2011, p. 235.
  10. Pinto de Moura, Aureliano (1 August 2012). "Seminário 100 Anos da Guerra do Contestado". mpsc.mp.br (in Portuguese). Ministério Público de Santa Catarina.
  11. Ball 2011, p. 69.
  12. Ball 2011, p. 391.
  13. Ball 2011, p. 405.
  14. Ball 2011, p. 125.
  15. Ball 2011, p. 126.
  16. Yates, Lawrence A. (July 1988). Power Pack: U.S. Intervention in the Dominican Republic, 1965-1966 (PDF). Leavenworth Papers, Number 15. United States Army Command and General Staff College. p. 123.
  17. Ball 2011, p. 71.
  18. Mendes, Matias (24 September 2012). "Conflito do Araguaia: Guerrilheiros e Soldados". Gente de Opinião (in Portuguese).
  • Ball, Robert W. D. (2011). Mauser Military Rifles of the World. Iola: Gun Digest Books. ISBN 9781440228926.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Out, Roger (December 1992). "Les Mauser brésiliens". Gazette des Armes (in French). No. 228. pp. 17–21.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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