The M1901 Mannlicher Self-Loading, Semi-Automatic Pistol was an early semi-automatic pistol design. The Bundeswehr Museum of German Defense Technology in Koblenz has one of these specimen in its collection.

General features

This pistol is one of the most simple of blow-back semi-automatic pistols ever designed. The lockwork is essentially that of an elementary single action revolver. While technically listed as a 'hesitation' lock because of a delaying cam which has some theoretical tendency to slow down the opening of the breech, in actual practice it functions as an unlocked pistol. This cover is installed on the frame from the front, and is retained by a spring catch forward of the trigger-guard.

The trigger is connected on the left side of the frame to a trigger bar, which, as the trigger is pulled, moves rearward, pushing against the sear tail, which is under the control of the V-spring that serves as both trigger spring and sear spring. The sear nose engages in a notch in the left fork of the hammer (which is external) to provide a smooth trigger pull that is very unusual in an automatic pistol.

Mounted on the frame under the right portion of the side cover housing is the mainspring, a heavy V-spring. Its greater arm (lower) engages a notch in the right fork of the hammer to drive it forward when released by the sear. Its lesser arm (upper) continuously presses a cam upward that engages a slot in the under-surface of the breechblock slide when the action is closed.

Users

  • : As "Modelo 1905".
  • : Was purchased privately by many officers of the Austro-Hungarian army, though rejected officially after trials in 1904–1905.

See also

  • Steyr Mannlicher M1894
  • Roth-Steyr M1907
  • Steyr M1912
  • Mannlicher M1905

References

  • Mannlicher Pistol Model 1901