Mannlicher M1890 carbine

Not to be confused with Mannlicher M1890 Rifle.

Repeating carbine model 1890
Model 1890 cavalry carbine, from the collections of the Swedish Army Museum
Type	Bolt action rifle
Place of origin	Austria-Hungary
Service history
In service	1890–1918 (Austria-Hungary)
Used by	See users
Wars	Balkan Wars World War I
Production history
Designer	Ferdinand Mannlicher
Designed	1890?
Manufacturer	Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft
Produced	1891–1896
No. built	115,218
Variants	Cavalry carbine, Gendarmerie carbine and Navy short rifle
Specifications
Mass	3.3 kilograms (7.3 lb)
Length	1,005 millimetres (39.6 in)
Barrel  length	498 millimetres (19.6 in)
Cartridge	M90: 8×52mmR [1] M90/24:8×57mm IS M90/30, M90/31: 8×56mmR
Action	Straight-pull bolt action
Muzzle velocity	620 m/s (2,034 ft/s) with M1893 ball cartridge [2]
Feed system	5-round en bloc clip, integral box magazine
Sights	Iron sights

The repeating carbine model 1890 a.k.a. Mannlicher model 1890 carbine is a bolt-action rifle, designed by Ferdinand Mannlicher that used a new version of his straight-pull action bolt. ^[3] It was introduced as an alternative to the Mannlicher M1888 as it was shorter and easier to maneuver with. Three main versions were introduced: Cavalry Carbine, Gendarmerie Carbine ^[1] and Navy Short Rifle.

Variants

Detailed parts drawing

Cavalry carbine

This variant was used by the Austro-Hungarian cavalry. A stacking rod, handguard and bayonet lug are absent.

Stutzen

This variant features sling swivels on the underside, a stacking rod and bayonet lugs. It was used by the Austro-Hungarian Navy.

Gendarmerie carbine

The Austro-Hungarian Gendarmarie was also in need of a carbine. It adopted a version which featured a bayonet lug but no stacking rod.

Conversions

M90/30 was a conversion of these rifles done in the First Austrian Republic. They carry the letter S stamped on the barrel. ^[4]

M90/31 was a conversion of these rifles done in the Kingdom of Hungary. They carry the letter H stamped on the barrel. ^[5]

M90/95 was a conversion of these rifles done in Ethiopian Empire. Unlike other conversions, these were done by putting existing M90 carbines in M95 pattern furniture. ^[6]

Afghan contract

A small number of these carbines made for the Afghan contract were ordered by Abdur Rahman Khan for the Emirate of Afghanistan. ^[7]

Users

•   Afghanistan ^[7]
•   Austria-Hungary
•   Austria ^[8]
•   Bulgaria ^[9]
•   Ethiopia ^[10]
•   Hungary ^[8]
•   Siam ^[11]

References

1. Walter, John (2006). Rifles of the World (3rd ed.). 700 E. State Street Iola, WI 54990: Krause Publications. p. 265. ISBN   9780896892415.
2. Deutsche militärärztliche Zeitschrift: Vierteljährliche Mittellungen aus dem Gebiet des Militär-Sanitäts- und Versorgungswesens. ... . I.-49. Jahrgang. [1872–1920.]. E. S. Mittler & Sohn. 1894. pp. 72–.
3. Impact of Science on Society. Vol. 26–27. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. 1976. p. 64.
4. "Mannlicher M90/30 Rifle and Carbine Austro-Hungary".
5. "Mannlicher M90/31 Austro-Hungarian Weapons".
6. "Ethiopian M90/95 Hybrid Mannlicher Carbine". 15 September 2020.
7. "Afghan Contract Mannlicher M1890 Carbines Austro-Hungarian Weapons".
8. "Austro-Hungarian Mannlicher M1890 Short Rifles and Carbines". Manowar's Hungarian Weapons & History. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
9. Philip Jowett (20 March 2012). Armies of the Balkan Wars 1912–13: The priming charge for the Great War. Osprey Publishing. pp. 43–. ISBN   978-1-78096-528-4.
10. Keefe, Mark A. (15 July 2020). "Emperor Selassie's Treasure: The Guns of Royal Tiger Imports". American Rifleman. National Rifle Association. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
11. "Siamese Mannlicher Model 1888-90 Carbine". Manowar's Hungarian Weapons & History. Retrieved 19 June 2025.

Further reading

• United States. Office of Naval Intelligence (1892). "Mannlicher Carbine (Model 1890)". General Information Series: Information from Abroad. U.S. Government Printing Office. pp.  117–.
• Austro-Hungarian Mannlicher M1890 Short Rifles and Carbines. Hungariae.com