Budapest M95 carbine.

[Anzac15]

Picked up this Steyr/Budapest M95 carbine this weekend, non import marked. H marked barrel, signifying conversion to 8x56r. Couple of questions, could this have been converted from a long rifle? There is no side sling swivel next to the butt. There is a circled E marking at the woodline, with some other marking with it. Cant make it out. There is also a plus 15 and minus 15 marking on the bottom of receiver and barrel. Would appreciate any thoughts on it, thanks!

---------- Post added at 02:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:50 PM ----------

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[Aragorn243]

Probably an original carbine. Infantry version made prior to 1912. Date should be stamped on the top of the barrel right about where the H is. Could be elsewhere but will only be one or two numerals. If one, it was made in 190-, if two, 189- or 191-.

If it were a conversion, it would retain the long rifle sights. They would have been ground off and re-stamped on the bottom half. Yours has the original carbine sight. Prior to 1912 they had separate versions, one for infantry which had the swivels on the bottom, and one for the cavalry which had the swivels on the side. After 1912, they had both which is why most of the imports today have the bottom butt swivel removed and a block of wood inserted.

I can't see the left side of the middle band. It probably does not have the side ring for a sling on it.

The "H" simply means it was converted to the new caliber at the Budapest plant. My Budapest was converted at the Steyr plant and is stamped with an "S"

By coincidence, I purchased a Budapest M95 today. Mine is a re-arsenaled carbine made in 1917. I just purchased a book on them last Wednesday and finished reading it this morning.

My question which I came here to ask is:

Were the recent imports re-worked by the Soviets? My rifle appears to have shellac on it although a MUCH better grade shellac than was on both my Mosin Nagants and my RC K98. It also appears to have a small version of the "X" on the receiver which looks like the capture mark on my K98.

As the vast majority of these rifles were moved by Germany into territories which most likely would have been captured by the Soviets, this makes sense.

If that is the case, I will probably restore it to pre-capture conditions as closely as possible. I need the bottom butt stock sling swivel and the bottom middle band sling swivel.

What would you say is the finish on your rifle? BLO?

[Anzac15]

As far as the recent imports, as far as I can understand they came from Bulgaria. Does yours have any electro pencilled numbers on the bolt?
My carbine has no date on it of any kind. The only markings on it are the 'Budapest M95', two different numbers on barrel and receiver side, and a +15 and -15 on receiver and barrel bottom. Oh, and a circled E with something else below it.
I have never seen one of these with a numbered buttplate. Every one I have seen has had a numbered buttstock. This has none, but I can see two small 'starburst' markings on the left side of it. I would be very curious to know when this was built.

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Oh, and yes the barrel band does have a side sling swivel. Wrist does not.

[Anzac15]

Here's a closer look at the circle E marking, you can see something under it.....plus another marking I just found. Look familiar to anyone?

[Aragorn243]

Unfortunately, I don't think you'll be able to date this one. The date markings were stamped where the "H" is. They were stamped parallel to the barrel in a line of four or five symbols which include letters and sometimes a small crest. Your rifle is very worn in that area and it may have been polished off when it was reworked after WWI. I suspect the barrel is not original which may be one reason there is no date. The two numbers side by side on barrel and receiver should match. The stock may not be original either so can't date if from that. It was made prior to 1907 based on the lack of a bottom butt stock swivel. Rifle could have been made anywhere between 1895 and 1920.

The date markings on my rifle are faint but not overstamped with the "S". The "S" was stamped higher up on the barrel. Mine reads Bc. (Austro-Hungarian eagle crest)17. The "Bc" is difficult to read and could be something else. I have not taken it apart to see what other markings are on it but I can see numerous crest type stamps on it along the wood line. Four number serial with one letter following match on the barrel and receiver. Electro penciled number on bolt and stamped stock matching but with two older numbers lined out. I also have matching number (last two digits) on the bayonet lug which is a little unusual. These are stamped, not electroplated. Lots of "k"s and "R"s stamped all over the small parts.

[Aragorn243]

My marking is "Bp" not "Bc" Looked at it again. Probably for Budapest but who knows. Unfortunately, my book does not go into details on the markings or serial numbers, etc. It does say that serial numbers will not determine date as they are four digits and a series letter for each year. Will take it apart tonight maybe.

[Anzac15]

Aragorn, what is the book you just read on these rifles?

[Aragorn243]

Mannlicher Military Rifles by Paul S Scarlata

It's $32.50 with free shipping from Amazon which isn't bad for a gun book. It has a brief history of the Austro-Hungarian empire, Mannlicher and Steyr, and then goes into the rifle development. The portions on the M95 are a bit small in my opinion, but as I have one, I'd like as much information as I can get. There are a lot of photos in the book. Both period photos of troops with the rifles and photos of the rifle parts themselves. Line drawings too.

Just took mine apart and that was pretty uneventful. Not many markings on these I guess. Mine has a +2 and a -2 on it where yours has the 15. Condition under the wood was excellent. No wear, no rust.

[Aragorn243]

Since we seem to be the only two people interested in these, may as well combine them.

Here's what I picked up yesterday. 1917 Budapest carbine re-chambered at the Steyr plant.

















Bayonet is original but has been refurbished. Imperial eagle is mostly polished off the blade but the manufacturer is still clear. Scabbard has nice Imperial eagle. Blade with these is upward cutting. This is not the original bayonet to this type rifle. Prior to re-chambering they used a bayonet that had another sight attached to the round barrel connection at they shot high when the bayonet was attached. Looking at photos, I believe the front sight may have been replaced during the overhaul as it appears to be taller now than what the sight on the bayonet would have been making it obsolete. Reasons may have been that original sights were set for 300 yards/meters for battle sight and went up from there. Wartime experience showed they needed closer sights.









And last, the clips. Rifle will not work without them except as a very slow single shot. Five different manufacturers shown. German occupation Nazi eagle, Austro-Hungarian Imperial eagle, and three letter stampings. Ammo is Nazi marked 1938 and current manufacture Privi-Partisan.

[Anzac15]

Aragorn, thanks very much for the title of the book. I think I'll get a copy. Very nice rifle! I always had a thing for these firearms, but have been so wrapped up in Lee Enfields and Martini Henry's that the purchase of one just kept falling by the wayside. Now that I have one, my interest in them has really taken off. Alot of history can be had for minimal dollars! I do believe I am going to find more...oh, and definitely a long rifle. Again, thanks for all your input!-Mark