In 1880, Serbian Major Kosta "Koka" Milovanović (Коста "Кока" Миловановић) developed an updated version of the Mauser Model 1871, still single-shot, but chambered in its unique 10.15×63R caliber. It had unique additions in that it had a bolt guide (much like the M1870 Italian Vetterli) and the "progressive rifling" that was developed by Koka. The Kingdom of Serbia adopted the rifle in 1880.[1] It was designated Serbian Model 1878/80, also known as Mauser-Koka, Mauser-Milovanović,[2] and known in Serbian as Kokinka (Кокинка). The grooves reduced in diameter from breech to muzzle. The muzzle velocity of the Mauser-Milanović was 1,680 feet per second (510 m/s). It saw first combat in the Serbo-Bulgarian War. Approximately 110,000 Mauser-Milovanović rifles entered the Serbian arsenal. It was further developed in 1907.
| Serbian Model 1878/80 (Mauser-Koka) | |
|---|---|
 Serbian cadets with Mauser-Koka | |
| Type | Service rifle |
| Place of origin | Kingdom of Serbia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1881–1918 |
| Used by | Kingdom of Serbia |
| Wars | Serbo-Bulgarian War Balkan Wars World War I (limited) World War II (limited) |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Mauser |
| Designed | 1871, 1880 |
| Manufacturer | Mauser, Zastava Arms |
| Variants | Mauser-Koka-Đurić |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4.5 kg (9.92 lbs) |
| Length | 1350 mm (53.15 in) |
| Barrel length | 855 mm (33.66 in) |
| Cartridge | 10.15×63 mm |
| Caliber | .43 |
| Action | Bolt action |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,680 feet per second (510 m/s) |
| Feed system | Single-shot |
| Sights | Iron sights |
Mauser-Koka 1884 edit
The Mauser Model 1884 "Artillery Carbine" was produced in 1884 in 4,000 units at the Oberndorf plant for the use of the Serbian cavalry.[3] It was based on the M71/84 and had a five-round tubular magazine.[3] In the late 1930s, all remaining Model 1884 carbines were converted to the 1870s vintage 13.78mm "LAK" cartridge, which was in good supply in Yugoslav Army depots.[4]
Mauser-Koka-Đurić edit
Starting 1907, about half of the Mauser-Koka inventory was converted in Kragujevac to shoot the 7×57mm from a 5-shot magazine; the new barrels were purchased from Steyr. Both the old and new guns (designated M80/07) saw action in the Balkan Wars and World War I. The converted M80/07 are often referred to as "Đurić Mausers" (Ђурић-Маузер).[5] The M80/07 C rifles captured from the Royal Yugoslav Army by the Nazi Germany during the World War II were designated Gewehr 223 (j).[6]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Поповић, Оливера. "Заборављени конструктори српског оружја". Politika Online. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ Donald J. Stocker; Jonathan A. Grant (2003). Girding for Battle: The Arms Trade in a Global Perspective, 1815-1940. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 27–. ISBN 978-0-275-97339-1.
Designated as Serbian Model 1878/80, but also known as the Mauser-Koka or the Mauser-Milanovic after the Serbian officer who ...
- ^ a b Ball 2011, pp. 311–312.
- ^ Ball 2011, pp. 313–314.
- ^ Ball 2011, p. 314.
- ^ Ball 2011, p. 425.
- ^ Ball 2011, pp. 312–313.
- ^ Ball 2011, pp. 317–318.
- ^ Ball 2011, pp. 318–320.
- ^ a b Ball 2011, pp. 320–321.
- ^ Ball 2011, pp. 321–324.
- ^ Ball 2011, pp. 323.
- ^ Ball 2011, pp. 326.
Sources edit
- Ball, Robert W.D. (2 August 2011). Mauser Military Rifles of the World. Gun Digest Books. pp. 311–314. ISBN 978-1-4402-1544-5.
- John Sheehan, 1 of 110,000. The Serbian M78/80 is one of the Rarest of Mauser Rifles", Guns magazine, May 2012, pp. 36-39
- Viktor Kovačević (August 1998). "KOKA POPRAVLJA MAUZERA". Srpsko nasleđe, Istorijske sveske, broj 8 (in Serbian). NIP „GLAS“.