Mannlicher M1886

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	Weapon: Mannlicher M1886 Type: Infantry Rifle Country of Origin: Austria-Hungary Year Adopted: 1886 Overall Length (mm): 1100.0 Overall Length (in): 43.31 Weight (kg): 4.00 Weight (pounds): 8.82

The Mannlicher M1886 rifle was one of the earliest bolt-action rifles to adopt a smokeless powder cartridge, representing a major advancement in firearm technology. Designed by Ferdinand Mannlicher, it utilized an innovative straight-pull bolt mechanism, which simplified operation and allowed for faster cycling compared to conventional turn-bolt designs. The rifle was chambered for the 11mm Werndl-Mannlicher cartridge, a rimmed black powder round later updated to smokeless powder configurations, and featured Mannlicher's distinctive en-bloc clip system for feeding ammunition.

Produced primarily by Osterreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft (OEWG) in Steyr, Austria, the Mannlicher M1886 was manufactured in significant numbers to equip the Austro-Hungarian military. While exact production figures remain unclear, it is estimated that tens of thousands of units were made during its initial production run. Although it was soon replaced by more modern rifles like the Mannlicher M1888 and M1895, the M1886 remained in service for several years and saw limited use in colonial conflicts and as a reserve weapon during later periods.

The Mannlicher M1886 was notable for its forward-thinking design, particularly its use of a straight-pull bolt and en-bloc clip system, which influenced subsequent rifle designs in Europe and beyond. While it was relatively short-lived in frontline service due to rapid advancements in firearm technology, the M1886 played a pivotal role in transitioning military rifles from black powder to smokeless powder ammunition. Today, it is regarded as a historically significant firearm, appreciated by collectors and historians for its innovative engineering and role in the evolution of bolt-action rifles.