Werndl–Holub rifle

M1867 Werndl–Holub
Type Service rifle
Place of origin  Austria-Hungary
Service history
In service 1867–1918
Used by Austria-Hungary
Montenegro
Persia
Argentina (limited use)
Wars Herzegovina uprising (1882)
Balkan Wars
World War I (limited)[1]
Production history
Designer Josef Werndl and Karel Holub
Designed 1860s
Manufacturer Steyr
Produced 1867–1888
Number built 500,000 (approx.)
Variants M1873
M67/77
M73/77
Extra-Corps Carbine
Finance-Gewehr Carbine
Cavalry Carbine
Specifications
Weight 9.65 lb (4.4 kg)
Length 50.4 in (128.0 cm)
Barrel length 33.3 in (84.6 cm)
Cartridge 11.15×42mmR (M1867)
11×58mmR (1877 Upgrade)
Caliber 11.15 mm
Action Rotating drum bolt
Feed system Single-shot breech-loading
Sights Iron sights

The M1867 Werndl–Holub was a single-shot breechloading rifle that the Austro-Hungarian army adopted in 1867. It replaced the Wanzl breechloader conversion of the muzzle-loading Lorenz rifle. Josef Werndl (1831–1889) and Karel Holub (1830–1903) designed and patented their design; Werndl later bought out all the rights.

The unique breechloading system of the Werndl.
M1877 bayonet and scabbard.

ŒWG (Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft) produced the Werndl and chambered it for the 11mm scharfe Patrone M.67[1] (11.15×42R) cartridge. In 1877 the military rechambered the Werndl for the bottleneck 11mm scharfe Patrone M.77 (11.15×58mmR) cartridge.

In spite of the Werndl being long obsolete by World War I, the Austro-Hungarian forces issued Werndl rifles to rear-echelon units to free up more modern rifles for use by front-line troops.[1]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Werndl Rifle.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Scarlata, Paul (1 August 2011). "Austro-Hungarian Rifles of World War 1 – Part One: Many Peoples – Many Rifles!". Shotgun News 65 (21): 48.


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