Pretty rare M95

[Eaglelord17]

Hi all,

I recently acquired this rifle I thought I would share with you. It is a Bulgarian M95. Ya I know these aren't exactly common but what makes it rare? Well this one is still in the original caliber (8x50r) and is all matching except for the bolt (which is still a Bulgarian Contract bolt). To top it off this one is part of the 1903 contract manufactured by Steyr (which was the earliest contract). This rifle had the potential to be captured (as if it wasn't it wouldn't be in the original caliber) in either the First Balkan War, Second Balkan War, and WWI. Unfortunately after going over it with a fine tooth comb I have turned up no capture markings. There is no hints as to who captured it personally I am leaning towards Greece or Romania as I doubt it was Serbia as if it was it likely would have been converted to 8mm Mauser (to the M95/24 standard).

Well now for some pictures of this rifle.






That is the stock Cartouche which is still visible but pretty faint 112 years later.


Typical Bulgarian contract writing, showing the date and factory of manufacture


Stock serial number with the cartouche just above it


Bulgarian crest on the receiver. Note the foot holding up the rifle for a better picture


Bulgarian contract bolt with the gas vent hole (closer to the receiver). Also note the stamped numbers on the bolt handle, something the Bulgarians wanted for the contract (unfortunately not matching to the rifle).


Typical Bulgarian contract rear sight with the numbers on both sides, personally I feel this is much neater looking than the standard M95 rear sight (which seems kinda crammed on one side). Also interesting to note 600 schritt is approximately 420M, so the minimum sight setting before the combat sight is 420M.

Information

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[Eaglelord17]

Also I just wanted to add that the rear sight actually has a 300 Schritt measurement under the actual sider (it is milled into the ladder itself) which is approximately 225M. Can't wait until I get this shooting but I suspect it is going to be a while.

[ChuckS]

Congrats on finding a rare rifle!
i just bought a full length Austrian M-95. Have not received it yet. It is supposed to be all matching numbered. I looked long and hard. The full length rifles are very difficult to find as most have been cut down. The carbines are, as you know, plentiful. Now I am looking for the correct sling and bayonet. The hunt for these guns and accessories is almost as much fun as the find!

[Aragorn243]

Chuck, I picked up a repro sling from I think Northwest Supply, pretty nice slings. Bayonets are pretty easy, lots of them on ebay.

[ChuckS]

Thanx, I'll check it out.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Chuck, I picked up a repro sling from I think Northwest Supply, pretty nice slings. Bayonets are pretty easy, lots of them on ebay.

I believe Mountain State Supply has the slings as well. Bayonets are easy but a bit on the pricey side. The only one I found locally was damaged. Persistence paid off on e-bay $60 or so for a nice example.

[Eaglelord17]

Congrats on finding a rare rifle!
i just bought a full length Austrian M-95. Have not received it yet. It is supposed to be all matching numbered. I looked long and hard. The full length rifles are very difficult to find as most have been cut down. The carbines are, as you know, plentiful. Now I am looking for the correct sling and bayonet. The hunt for these guns and accessories is almost as much fun as the find!

The thing about original M95s is that originally they didn't number the bolt as they were considered completely interchangeable (not many rifles have ever been able to claim that). For the Bulgarian Contract the Bulgarians insisted for the bolts to be numbered (stamped) with the serial number. Those rifles converted to 8x56r or have spent time in Bulgaria's hands also had there bolts numbered (usually by electro-penciling) as far as I understand it. I haven't gotten my hands on any original rifles from say Czechoslovakia and such to compare (and see if they numbered there bolts) but maybe one day I will find one.

Personally I feel these are undervalued and appreciated rifles, though probably a fair bit of that has to do with the fact most the 8x56r conversions require some serious under aiming to hit the target at 100m (one I had to aim at the bottom of the stand (i.e. the ground) to hit the target). They also tend to be fairly inaccurate rifles (from what I have seen) because of the thin barrels which heat up fast. Another thing that sucks, but isn't the rifles fault is the fact it is difficult to find good reference material, as from what I understand there is only one decent book on the rifle in English.

Have the bayonets gone up that much? When I was searching for a couple two years ago you could get them for 50$ easily.