Argentine Mauser Model 1909 Explained

Mauser Modelo Argentino 1909
Origin:Germany
Type:Bolt-action rifle
Service:1905-1960s
Used By:Argentina
Paraguay
Dominican Republic[1]
Manufacturer:DWM
Fabrica Militar de Armas Portatiles
Wars:United States occupation of the Dominican Republic (1916–1924)
Chaco War
Is Ranged:yes
Design Date:1909
Production Date:1909-1959
Number:~285,000
Weight:4.17kg (09.19lb)
3.6kg (07.9lb)
Length:1240mm
1056mm
Part Length:740mm
556mm
Cartridge:7.65×53mm Mauser
Action:Bolt-action
Feed:5-round stripper clip, internal magazine
Sights:Iron sights adjustable to 2000m (7,000feet)

The Argentine Mauser Model 1909 were Gewehr 98 pattern bolt-action battle rifles designed for the Argentine Army. They were produced both in Germany and in Argentina.

Design

The Mauser 1909 was a slightly modified copy of the Gewehr 98. Among other modifications, the Lange Visier sight was replaced by a tangent leaf sight. The M1909 was also able to use the bayonet of the Mauser 1891 it replaced. The main producer in Germany was Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken that delivered 200,000 rifles while around 85,000 rifles were manufactured by the Fabrica Militar de Armas Portatiles, governmental plants in Rosario and Santa Fe. The Model 1909s were replaced by FN FALs without having seen combat.

Some Argentine Mauser 1909 rifles and carbines without crests were sold to Paraguay during the Chaco War.

Variants

Peruvian Mauser 1909

Peru received between 1910 and 1914 thousands of Mauser Model 1909 rifles, chambered in 7.65 Mauser. They were closer copies of the Gewehr 98, including the Lange Visier sight. Aside from the caliber, the only differences were the larger receiver ring, the 5mm shorter breech, the slightly modified strip guide to use older Model 1891 strips, the longer hammer, the aspheric shape of the bolt handle and the Peruvian markings. While these rifles were able to fire the old bullets with round nose, they were later adapted to spitzer bullets. These weapons were used during the Leticia Incident and the Ecuadorian–Peruvian War.[2] After 1945, the Mauser 1909s were replaced by American weapons and were sold in the civilian market in the 1960s, a few being kept as ceremonial rifles.

References

Notes and References

  1. Hernandez, Edwin "ARMAS DE FUEGO USADAS EN LAS LUCHAS CIVILES Y POR LOS CUERPOS ARMADOS DOMINICANOS (SIGLOS XIX Y XX)"
  2. Book: Jowett, Philip . Latin American Wars 1900–1941: "Banana Wars," Border Wars & Revolutions. Men-at-Arms 519. Osprey Publishing. 28 Jun 2018. 9781472826282 . 29, 46.