Spanish Mauser M1893
A major step in the evolution of Paul Mauser’s iconic series of military rifles, the M1893 would be the final arm of Imperial Spain as well the inspiration behind an American icon.
The History
Although still considered a major world power, the Spanish Empire was nearing the end of a state of terminal decline as the last decade of the nineteenth century dawned. After throwing in her lot with Napoleonic France and being decisively defeated, Spain had spent the century losing control of her various colonies in America to revolutions. With what remained destabilized, the outlook was grim, but the Empire had no intention of falling behind in military technology.
The simple front sight of the M1893
While Spain declined, the French had spurred a revolution in small arms design with the adoption of the smokeless powder M1886 Lebel rifle, and the Germans had been quick to respond with their own design. Meanwhile, the spurned German arms designer Paul Mauser took his own designs to the Belgians, leading to their Model 1889 rifle in that year. This prompted officials in Madrid to examine the developments coming out of Oberndorf, leading to the adoption of a new design from Mauser in a new 7x57mm cartridge.
After a short lived M1892 rifle and carbine were trailed, but within months Mauser himself offered an improved model, mainly differing with the replacement of the older single stack magazine with a more advanced flush fitting double stack model. This was adopted as the M1893 in that year, and production began on contract by Ludwig Loewe (Mauser’s parent company, this occurring due to the main Mauser factory being busy with Ottoman contracts).
The rear sight of the M1893 is a conventional ladder type with a battlesight notch for quick acquisition
In all contacts would be made for approximately a quarter million rifles and carbines, which would immediately be sent into action against local resistance in Spanish Morocco. Additional contracts would soon follow, as would production rights to the rifle in domestic arsenals. Production began in scale in 1896 at the Spanish arsenal at Oviedo, but it would still take years to supplant German production. Meanwhile, increasing insurgent activity in Cuba and the Philippines drew increasing Spanish resources, as well as the ire of the neighboring United States.
In February of 1898 the American battleship USS Maine exploded in Havana harbor. This event, although likely due to an accident aboard the ship, triggered outrage in the US, and resulted in war with Spain. As a result the Mauser M1893 found itself deployed against the American Krag rifle (and antiquated Trapdoor Springfield rifles) and quickly demonstrated the superiority of both the rifle and its cartrige over the American weapons. Despite this, the war ended within months with a crushing US victory and the effective end of Spain as a major imperial power. (Interestingly, despite this, the Americans used captured examples of the M1893 rifle to reverse engineer their own iconic M1903 Springfield, replacing the Krag within two years of the end of the war.)
When extended, the ladder sight allows aiming at up to 2,000 meters
Spain remained neutral during the Great War of 1914-1918, and although large quantities of handguns were produced for the Entente during the conflict the Mauser M1893 did not see service in any meaningful manner. It would, however, see extensive use in the turbulent decades to follow. The political fallout of the loss to the Americans caused yet more destabilization at home, and escalaating conflicts in Morocco led first to a military dictatorship and eventually with the fall of the monarchy.
This would in turn lead to a civil war between the new Republican government and Nationalist forces led by General Francisco Franco. The M1893 and its various carbine variants would see significant use on both side of the conflict, although by the end it was showing its age. As a result the weapon was eventually replaced by the M43 Mauser, a variant of the German Mauser Standardmodell in 7.92x57mm. The last descendent of the M1893, the FR7, would see service as a training and reserve weapon for some time, before disappearing from service in the late 1970s.
The small-ring Mauser action, seen here with its long claw extractor, flag safety and straight bolt handle on full display
The Design
The M1893 is a conventional full length infantry rifle of a type commonly used around the world at the end of the nineteenth century. Mechanically, the rifle is a major step on the evolutionary progression of the Mauser action. The M1893 represents the first major appearance of the famous Mauser long claw extractor system, with its controlled feed operation allowing for consistent and smooth operation.
The receiver ring bears the crest of Imperial Spain, along with the location and year of production
The rifle also features the first appearance of a third position to the Mauser flag safety, allowing the weapon to be safely loaded with the firing mechanism disengaged. Also innovative was its staggered internal magazine, which was able to fit flush inside the stock, improving balance, reliability and manufacture time.
Also of note was the new, high performance 7mm cartridge designed by Mauser as a step up from his earlier 7.65mm round. This was a flat shooting cartridge that produced manageable recoil, and gained the nickname “Spanish Hornet” during the Spanish American War from the sound it made passing overhead. The cartridge remains a popular choice today, with modern hunting rifles still in production in the caliber.
The receiver wall features Ludwig Loewe proofs, as well as the designation “Mauser Espanol Modelo 1893, Manufactera Loewe Berlin” (Mauser Spanish Model 1893, Manufactured by Loewe, Berlin)
This Example
The example in the reference collection was manufactured by Ludwig Loewe of Berlin in 1896. As a result, this is a more desirable variation than those made by Oviedo after the conclusion of the Spanish American War in 1898, and notably also features a large (albeit faded) Spanish Royal Coat of Arms on the receiver ring. It also features its original period sling.
The rifle is in generally good overall condition, with a bright bore and smooth mechanical operation.
The 7x57mm cartridge in its charger, which provided a significant advantage to Spanish forces in the 1898 war with the United States
Opinions
The M1893 is a utilitarian design, with simple lines and few bells and whistles when compared to many of its contemporaries. The success of the design shows through in its mundane appearance, as it served as an important step in the evolution of the Mauser as well as military rifles as a whole. The weapon is very comfortable shooter, with its 7mm cartridge mating well to the size and heft of the rifle, while its sights and controls are both familiar and efficient.
Spanish King Alfonso XIII inspects troops armed with the M1893 rifle, circa 1910
Observed Values and Frequency
Updated: May, 2024
AVERAGE VALUE (USD): $500-$750
FREQUENCY: Rare
COLLECTOR’S NOTES: Post-1898 examples are more often encountered, but still uncommon on the market