
Österreichische · Rifle
Werndl-Holub M1867
11x42mmR Werndl · introduced 1867
Also known as Werndl rifle, Infanteriegewehr M1867, M1867/77
About the Werndl-Holub M1867
The Werndl-Holub M1867 was the Austro-Hungarian Empire's first standard metallic-cartridge service rifle, designed by Josef Werndl and Karel Holub. Its distinctive feature was a rotating cylindrical breechblock (the 'Tabernakelverschluss' or drum breech) turned by a thumb-lever on the right of the receiver, giving a strong, well-sealed action. Originally chambered for an 11x42mmR rimfire cartridge, the design was reengineered in 1877 to the more powerful 11x58mmR centerfire round. Its commercial success built Steyr into one of Europe's largest arms makers.
Josef Werndl's M1867 contract transformed his Steyr workshop into the vast Österreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft, eventually the largest arms factory in Europe and the ancestor of today's Steyr Arms.
Werndl-Holub M1867 specifications
General
- Type
- Rifle
- Firing mechanism
- Hammer-fired
- Trigger
- Single stage
- Calibres
- 11x42mmR Werndl
- Magazine capacity
- 1 rounds
- Magazine
- Internal
Dimensions
- Barrel length
- 840 mm (33.1 in)
- Overall length
- 1305 mm (51.4 in)
- Weight (empty)
- 4.50 kg (9.92 lb)
Barrel
- Rifling
- Right hand
Materials
- Barrel
- Steel
- Receiver / frame
- Steel
- Stock
- Wood
- Finish
- blued
Performance
- Muzzle velocity (typical)
- 440 m/s (1444 fps)
- Effective range
- 600 m
History
- Introduced
- 1867
- Discontinued
- 1886
- Production status
- Out of production
- Country of origin
- AT
- Designer
- Josef Werndl
Features
- Rotating breechblock
- Tabernakelverschluss drum breech
- Back action lock
- External hammer
- Metallic cartridge
Safety
- Half cock notch
Initial M1867 rifles used 11x42mmR rimfire; the M1867/77 upgrade adopted the 11x58mmR centerfire cartridge. Variants included infantry rifles, short rifles, and cavalry carbines.
Werndl-Holub M1867 variants
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