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
TypeService rifle
Place of originKingdom of Serbia
Service history
In service1881–1918
Used byKingdom of Serbia
WarsSerbo-Bulgarian War
Balkan Wars
World War I (limited)
World War II (limited)
Production history
DesignerMauser
Designed1871, 1880
ManufacturerMauser, Zastava Arms
VariantsMauser-Koka-Đurić
Specifications
Mass4.5 kg (9.92 lbs)
Length1350 mm (53.15 in)
Barrel length855 mm (33.66 in)

Cartridge10.15×63 mm
Caliber.43
ActionBolt action
Muzzle velocity1,680 feet per second (510 m/s)
Feed systemSingle-shot
SightsIron sights

Mauser-Koka 1884

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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

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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

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References

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  1. ^ Поповић, Оливера. "Заборављени конструктори српског оружја". Politika Online. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  2. ^ 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 ...
  3. ^ a b Ball 2011, pp. 311–312.
  4. ^ Ball 2011, pp. 313–314.
  5. ^ Ball 2011, p. 314.
  6. ^ Ball 2011, p. 425.
  7. ^ Ball 2011, pp. 312–313.
  8. ^ Ball 2011, pp. 317–318.
  9. ^ Ball 2011, pp. 318–320.
  10. ^ a b Ball 2011, pp. 320–321.
  11. ^ Ball 2011, pp. 321–324.
  12. ^ Ball 2011, pp. 323.
  13. ^ Ball 2011, pp. 326.

Sources

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