View source for Mauser Model 1908

{{about|the rifle produced for Brazil|the Serbian Mauser M1908|Mauser Model 1895#Serbian M1899}}
{{Infobox weapon
|name= Mauser Model 1908
| image=File:Mauser-1908.jpg
|caption= A Mauser Model 1908
| image_size = 325
|origin=Germany
|type=[[Bolt-action]] [[rifle]]
|service= 1908-present
|used_by=[[Brazil]]<br>[[Uruguay]]<br>[[Dominican Republic]]
|manufacturer= [[Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken|DWM]]<br>[[IMBEL|Itajuba arms factory]]
|wars= [[Contestado War]]<br>[[Constitutionalist Revolution]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Douglas de Souza Aguiar Junior|url=https://armasonline.org/armas-on-line/o-museu-da-pm-de-sao-paulo/|title=O Museu de Polícia Militar de São Paulo|website=Armas On-Line|date=25 June 2017|language=pt-BR}}</ref><br>[[Cangaço]] conflict<br>[[Dominican Civil War]]<br>[[Araguaia Guerrilla War]]
|is_ranged=yes
|design_date=
|production_date=1908-1968
|variants=Model 1908/34<br>Model 1935<br>M1949<br>M954<br>M968
|number= 
|weight={{convert|3.8|kg|lbs}}
|length={{convert|125|cm|in}}
|part_length={{convert|74.3|cm|in}}
|cartridge=[[7×57mm Mauser]]<br>
|action=[[Bolt-action]]
|velocity=
|range=
|feed=5-round [[stripper clip]], internal [[Magazine (firearm)|magazine]]
|sights= [[Iron sight]]s adjustable to {{convert|2000|m|yd}}
}}

The '''Mauser Model 1908''' were series of [[Gewehr 98]] pattern bolt-action rifles. First produced by [[Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken]] (DWM) and [[Mauser]], they were exported to [[Uruguay]] and [[Brazil]]. In this latter country, [[IMBEL|Brazilian War Material Industry]] produced upgraded versions until the rifle was replaced by the [[FN FAL]].

== Design ==
=== Model 1908 ===
[[File:Details of rifle 1908.jpg|thumb|left|details of rifle 1908]]
The Model 1908 rifle was a copy of the Mauser Gewehr 98, chambered in [[7×57mm Mauser]]{{sfn|Ball|2011|p=65}} and with a simple tangent-leaf sight and a longer upper hand-guard.{{sfn|Out|1992|p=17}} A variant was also shortened to a {{convert|1.19|m|in|abbr=on}}-short rifle configuration.{{sfn|Ball|2011|p=66}}

=== Models 1935 and 08/34 ===
[[File:Ministério agracia quase 300 personalidades com Ordem do Mérito da Defesa (9517559872).jpg|thumb|left|Brazilian soldiers in 2013 with Mauser 1935 or 08/34 short rifles.]]
The 7mm Mauser-made '''Model 1935 rifle''' was similar to the Model 1908 but featured grasping grooves.{{sfn|Out|1992|p=18}} A short rifle variant also existed.{{sfn|Ball|2011|p=70}} Not to be confused with the Czech-made Model 1908/34 police carbine ([[Vz. 33#Vz. 12/33|Vz. 12/33]]), the '''Model 1908/34 short rifle''' was an upgraded version of the Model 1908 using local wood.<ref name="armasonline"/>

=== Later variants ===
The '''Mosquetão Itajubá M1949''' was a 08/34 short rifle chambered in [[.30-06 Springfield]]. The '''Mosquetão Itajubá M954'''<ref name="armasonline">{{cite web|title=Fuzís Mauser no Brasil e as Espingardas da Fábrica de Itajubá (Rev. 2)|url=https://armasonline.org/armas-on-line/as-espingardas-da-fabrica-de-itajuba/|date=5 April 2011|first=Carlos F. P.|last= Neto|website=armasonline.org|language=pt}}</ref> was a variant fitted with a threaded muzzle, that enabled the use of a [[flash suppressor]] or of a [[rifle grenade|grenade launcher]]. Its buttplate was inspired by the one of the [[Gewehr 43]] (a copy of which was manufactured under the same {{ill|Itajubá M954 Mosquetão|pt}} designation).{{sfn|Ball|2011|p=73}}
[[File:Carcará (4968096673).jpg|thumb|left|A Mauser M968 in a ceremony of the [[Military Police (Brazil)|Military Police]] in 2010.]]
The '''Mosquetão 7,62mm Modelo 968'''<ref name="armasonline"/> or M968 was one of the last Mauser service rifles produced. This rifle fired the [[7.62×51mm NATO]] cartridge, a grenade launcher was fixed to its barrel and its stock was reinforced with [[Natural rubber|rubber]]. These features were also used on the FN FAL,{{sfn|Out|1992|p=21}} hence the ''Mosquefal'' nickname.<ref name="armasonline"/>

== History and service ==
[[File:Embarque de primeiro escalão da Força Expedicionária Brasileira para a Itália (6).jpg|thumb|A Brazilian soldier (left) with a Mauser M1908 (or M1908/34), standing in front of an American sailor with a [[M1903 Springfield]] rifle.]]
Large numbers of Model 1908 rifles and short rifles was purchased between 1908 and 1914.{{sfn|Ball|2011|p=65}} While DWM was the main manufacturer, Mauser produced 100,000 Model 1908 with ''DWM Oberndorf'' stamps.{{sfn|Ball|2011|p=235}} Some Mauser 1908 saw combat during the [[Contestado War]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Aureliano|last= Pinto de Moura  |title=Seminário 100 Anos da Guerra do Contestado |date=1 August 2012|language=pt|url=https://www.mpsc.mp.br/noticias/seminario-100-anos-da-guerra-do-contestado|website=mpsc.mp.br|publisher=Ministério Público de Santa Catarina}}</ref> Later, Model 1935 rifles and short rifles were purchased in unknown quantities from Mauser.{{sfn|Ball|2011|p=69}}{{sfn|Ball|2011|p=70}} They were fielded against the [[Cangaço]] bandits.<ref name="armasonline"/> To improve the country's independence from foreign suppliers, the Model 08/34 was produced in [[Itajuba]].{{sfn|Ball|2011|p=70}}

Uruguay received DWM-made Model 1908 rifles and short rifles before 1914 and used them into the 1950s.{{sfn|Ball|2011|p=391}} Several ''Mystery Mausers'', similar to the Model 1908 but chambered in [[7.92×57mm Mauser]], can be found with Arabic markings or an [[hexagram]].{{sfn|Ball|2011|p=405}}

In the early 1950s, surplus Brazilian 1908 rifles and short rifles were exported to the [[Dominican Republic]].{{sfn|Ball|2011|p=125}} The Brazilian markings were replaced by Dominican markings and the rifles were designated Model 1953.{{sfn|Ball|2011|p=126}} During the US intervention in the [[Dominican Civil War]], these Mauser rifles were found to be very effective since they had longer range than the [[M16 rifle]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Power Pack: U.S. Intervention in the Dominican Republic, 1965-1966 |series=Leavenworth Papers, Number 15|last=Yates|first= Lawrence A. |date=July 1988|page= 123|publisher= [[United States Army Command and General Staff College]]|url= https://history.army.mil/html/bookshelves/resmat/dom_republic/Power_Pack-US_Intervention_Dominican_Republic_1965-1966.pdf}}</ref>

Post-war, Itajuba plant produced the M1949 and M954 short rifles for the Brazilian armed forces.{{snf|Ball|2011|p=71}} During the [[Araguaia Guerrilla War]], the rebels were able to acquire 7.62 Mausers from the state police of [[Pará]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Conflito do Araguaia: Guerrilheiros e Soldados|first=Matias |last=Mendes|url=https://www.gentedeopiniao.com.br/colunista/matias-mendes/conflito-do-araguaia-guerrilheiros-e-soldados|website=Gente de Opinião|language=pt|date=24 September 2012}}</ref> The M968 was produced for the Brazilian police.{{sfn|Out|1992|p=21}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
* {{cite book|last=Ball|first=Robert W. D.|title=Mauser Military Rifles of the World|year=2011|location=Iola|publisher=Gun Digest Books|isbn=9781440228926}}
* {{cite magazine|title= Les Mauser brésiliens|first=Roger|last=Out|language=fr|date=December 1992|magazine=[[Gazette des Armes]]|issue=228|pages=17–21}}
{{Mauser Firearms}}

[[Category:7×57mm Mauser rifles]]
[[Category:Rifles of Brazil]]
[[Category:Weapons of the Dominican Republic]]
[[Category:Mauser rifles]]
[[Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1908]]
[[Category:World War II infantry weapons of Brazil]]