Belgian Mauser Model 1935

The Mauser Model 1935, officially the Fusil Modèle 1935, was a Belgian Mauser bolt-action rifle. Derived from the Belgian Mauser Model 1889 and the Mauser 1898, it was used during World War II.

Fusil Modèle 1935
Type	Rifle
Place of origin	Belgium
Service history
In service	1935-1960s
Used by	Belgium Argentina Nazi Germany
Wars	World War II
Production history
Designer	Mauser
Designed	1889
Manufacturer	Fabrique Nationale Manufacture d’Armes de L’Etat
Produced	1935-1940
Variants	Model 35/46
Specifications
Mass	4.3 kg (9.48 lb)
Length	1,100 mm (43 in)
Barrel length	600 mm (24 in)
Cartridge	7.65×53mm Mauser
Caliber	7.65mm
Action	Bolt-action
Muzzle velocity	2,755 feet per second (840 m/s)[1]
Feed system	5 round box magazine
Sights	Iron sights adjustable to 2,000 metres (2,200 yd)

History and design

The Belgian Armed Forces had adopted the Mauser Model 1889, locally produced. After the First World War, the defeated Germany gave numbers of Mauser G.98 and Kar 98AZ to the kingdom. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Fabrique Nationale was manufacturing the FN Model 24 and Model 30, but lack of funding prevented the Army from buying these modern short rifles. In 1935, a new rifle was designed to replace all the rifles and carbines used in the different units.[2]

The Model 1935 combined elements of the Mauser 1889 (breach, magazine and stock) and of the Gewehr 98, but it was shorter.[2] Some Model 35 rifles were modernised Mauser 98.[2] Both the Manufacture d’Armes de L’Etat and the FN Herstal produced it between 1935 and 1940.[3] A sniping version was also developed before the war.[2][4]

After the war, some Model 35 rifles were modified to fire in .30-06 Springfield, the cartridge of the American weapons used by the post-war Belgian Army. They were known as Model 35/46.[5]

Service

The Belgian Army adopted it in 1935 but the Model 1935 never went into large scale production. It served during World War II alongside the Fusil Modèle 1936, a Model 1889 upgraded with some features of the Modèle 1935.[2]

Nazi Germany captured many rifles after the invasion of Belgium. The standard Fusil 35 was designated Gewehr 262(b)[6] and the sniping rifle Zielfernrohrgewehr 264(b).[6] These rifles were used by second-line German units.[2]

The Argentine government purchased a batch of slightly modified Model 35s to equip the Buenos Aires Provincial Police.[7] Delivered in 1935-1936, they were kept in service into the 1960s.[8]

Users

•  Argentina: Buenos Aires Provincial Police[7]
•  Belgium[2]
•  Nazi Germany[2]

References

1. Smith, Joseph E. (1969). Small Arms of the World (11 ed.). Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: The Stackpole Company. p. 220.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
2. Guillou, Luc; Denamur, Patrick (January 2012). "Les fusils Mauser Belges modèle 1935 et 1936". Gazette des armes (in French). No. 38. pp. 36–41.
3. Ball 2011, p. 35.
4. Ball 2011, p. 45.
5. Ball 2011, p. 36.
6. Ball 2011, p. 422.
7. Ball 2011, p. 17.
8. Ball 2011, p. 44.

Bibliography

• Ball, Robert W. D. (2011). Mauser Military Rifles of the World. Iola: Gun Digest Books. ISBN 9781440228926.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)