| Is Ranged: | yes |
| 35M Puska (35M Rifle) | |
| Origin: | Kingdom of Hungary |
| Type: | Bolt-action service rifle |
| Design Date: | 1935 |
| Production Date: | 1935–1950s |
| Service: | 1935–1950s |
| Used By: | Kingdom of Hungary Soviet Union Nazi Germany People's Republic of Hungary |
| Wars: | World War II Hungarian Revolution of 1956 |
| Cartridge: | 8×56mmR, 7.92×57mm Mauser |
| Action: | Bolt-action |
| Velocity: | 730m/s |
| Weight: | 3.98kg (08.77lb) |
| Length: | 1110mm |
| Part Length: | 600mm |
| Feed: | 5-round en bloc clip, internal box magazine |
| Sights: | open Partridge rear sight, square post front sight |
The FÉG 35M was a bolt-action rifle chambered in 8×56mmR. Though superficially still resembling the 95/31M Carbine, it was a new design with a cock-on-close bolt. An easily recognizable distinguishing feature was the placement of the bolt handle, which was further forward than in the 1895 design. It was used by Hungary in the years leading up to and during World War II, as well as after World War II, yet was gradually phased out by both Red Army surplus, and locally produced Mosin–Nagant carbines in the years after.
After the Great War, modifications were made on the 95M carbines, recalibrating the sights to the newly adopted metric system, and later adopting the Austrian-developed 8x56mmR. Analysing the performance of the 95M in World War I had revealed several deficiencies: the straight-pull Mannlicher could freeze in cold; the bolts were hand-fitted, thus non-interchangeable - being replaced only by trained gunsmiths; and the cock-on-opening operation. In the end, it was decided that the new rifle should use a simpler, more conventional rotating bolt, as well as a better bayonet.
For the new requirements, the Hungarian military and FÉG took the Mannlicher–Schönauer action, derived from the bolt of the Gewehr 88, which was also used on Romanian and Dutch Mannlichers. A prototype, known as 33.M, was produced in small series for trials in 1933.[1] The prototype differed from the final 35.M in the following ways:[2]
At around the same time, Steyr-Solothurn proposed a competitive design based on the ŒWG 1917 G98 modernization, which was serially produced in China, yet never adopted.[5]
All the springs in the rifle except the one in the sight are coil springs. The new safety could be engaged both when the rifle was cocked and uncocked. The barrel was lengthened and the distance between front and rear sights was increased. A British-style two-piece stock avoided the need to import extremely dimensionally stable wood.[6]
During World War II, military cooperation with Germany and a shortage of standard Mauser K98k rifles in the Wehrmacht led to modifications to the 35M. It was rechambered to the standard German 7.92×57 IS cartridge with a fully enclosed flush magazine, the bolt handle was made angled, the bayonet socket was changed to accept German bayonets and some alterations was made to the sling mount. In addition, the rifle was adopted to use standard Mauser 5-round charger clips and its sights were recalibrated to match the ballistics of the 7.92mm IS cartridge.[7]
In German service this modified weapon was known as the G98/40.[7] Hungary also adopted this version, slightly modified, as the 43M.
