Questions on M95 carbine

[mwells72774]

Wondering age and general info. It's been taken all the way down to look for markings and there are so few. Bore after measuring swaged lead plug is .331

Scraped away crud on side and found the same last 4 of SN, very very faint but there. Couldn't get a picture to show them

Information

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[Eaglelord17]

Very nice example of a Hungarian M95/31 Carbine! Full length photos would be able to tell me a bit more, of both sides if possible otherwise I will just tell the story with what information I have here.

So as to manufacture date the Austrian-Hungarians (the people who would have originally made this carbine) didn't mark the dates on the rifles, instead they marked them with a acceptance marking which would in a two letter code-crest-date configuration (e.g. WN-double headed eagle crest-14 which would mean it was accepted into Austrian service in 1914, if it is a BP-shield crest-14 it would be accepted into Hungarian service in 1914). Those stamps were placed right around where the 'H' stamp is on your barrel shank (more on that in a moment).

So in 1931-1935 Hungary went about updating those M95s in service to the new 8x56r round that Austria had just developed. Those conversions for Hungary included stamping a 'H' on the receiver which signified the conversion to 8x56r (I can't remember the Hungarian word the 'H' stands for but the meaning was 'pointed bullet'), a modification of the rear sights to 2000m, the front sight protector added, and the cutting down of the long rifles to make carbines. The 'H' stamp was generally placed over the acceptance stamp, so sometimes you lose that bit of information. I don't think it was a active attempt to destroy that information, as some would have the stamp directly on the acceptance date, and others are still clear. Odds are they just simply didn't care because it wasn't like it was their nations acceptance date and the nation it belonged to no longer existed.

The K.A.B. on your buttstock is to show the carbine passed inspection when it was converted. Those patches of wood in the stock is where there used to be sling swivels from when it was a Austrian-Hungarian pattern carbine.

It is very uncommon to say the least to see a actual Hungarian converted M95/31 still in its conversion configuration. Many were lost on the Eastern Front, and those that weren't were generally sold to Bulgaria post-WWII where any Hungarian features were replaced with the originals (such as the original style of sights and removing the front sight protector). Presumably this was done as both a make work project and allowing them to have a standard pattern for there war stock. Since yours hasn't had that happen to it, who knows where it has been, odds are it could have possibly been a vet bringback or some other sort of capture.

[mwells72774]

Few things I've noticed that aren't on other carbines, the elaborate front sight hood, the absence of "date" markings, and on the trigger guard by front action screw is stamped a small "K" or "R"

Also, what would an appropriate value be? We got it with lee dies, mold, brass for $110

[Eaglelord17]

Those date markings weren't always the deepest, and as I mentioned they were sometimes stamped over with the caliber modification marking (in this case the big 'H'). The only M95s which were actually dated were the Bulgarian M95s and that was with the specific contract on the side of the receiver.

The stamping on the trigger guard/magazine is where it was manufactured. 'K' for Steyr, and 'R' for Budapest, both were inspection markings from the factory.

Value wise I can't help you, the prices are very different between Canada and the US of A, here I suspect you could easily get 350$ maybe a bit more, but again that is in Canada.

[Aragorn243]

Value as with anything are what two people are willing to negotiate for. This particular rifle is in rough shape, very worn, cracked stock. Pluses include some interesting unit markings and the sight hood. The US market was flooded with these a few years ago with them selling for roughly $100-$150. Most were like new, reconditioned. I have not seen the market change too much since them. A slight uptick but not much. I do not often see them at the shows so the source has dried up. Prices should continue to inch up but it's not a particularly popular rifle or caliber. To a collector, that yours is basically original is a bonus. To a shooter, not so much. I'd say you got a deal. I wouldn't have passed on it. The dies are worth $30-$40 alone.

[mwells72774]

Value as with anything are what two people are willing to negotiate for. This particular rifle is in rough shape, very worn, cracked stock. Pluses include some interesting unit markings and the sight hood. The US market was flooded with these a few years ago with them selling for roughly $100-$150. Most were like new, reconditioned. I have not seen the market change too much since them. A slight uptick but not much. I do not often see them at the shows so the source has dried up. Prices should continue to inch up but it's not a particularly popular rifle or caliber. To a collector, that yours is basically original is a bonus. To a shooter, not so much. I'd say you got a deal. I wouldn't have passed on it. The dies are worth $30-$40 alone.

I agree and it's a very fair assessment. Locally they're not too common and without an import mark, is uncommon.

It's got character, and a good bit of it. The butt plate dents aren't new, most of the scuffs in general don't seem to be new marks. Plus it fills a niche in the WW1/2 collection.

[grandaddydean]

My grandson was given a Mauser M95 Budapest carbine by the other grand father. We are trying to locate a supply of the 7mm X 56 ammo indicated as needed for this rifle. Does any one have recommendations as to sites or companies that may carry this round and the needed clips?

Thanks in advance for information.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

That's a keeper. Very nice example. I have never see one not import marked.

[Merle]

I thought those were 8x56 not 7x56?
IIRC, Graf & son has new made ammo, from time to time.....

[grandaddydean]

The 8x56 was after modification.

Eaglelord17,

So in 1931-1935 Hungaryicon went about updating those M95s in service to the new 8x56r round that Austria had just developed. Those conversions for Hungary included stamping a 'H' on the receiver which signified the conversion to 8x56r (I can't remember the Hungarian word the 'H' stands for but the meaning was 'pointed bullet'), a modification of the rear sights to 2000m, the front sight protector added, and the cutting down of the long rifles to make carbines. The 'H' stamp was generally placed over the acceptance stamp, so sometimes you lose that bit of information. I don't think it was a active attempt to destroy that information, as some would have the stamp directly on the acceptance date, and others are still clear. Odds are they just simply didn't care because it wasn't like it was their nations acceptance date and the nation it belonged to no longer existed.