| |
Austro-Hungarian Früwirth Model 1872 Carbines |
 |
Made by Osterreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft, Steyr, 1870-74 Quantity: 12000? both variants combined (overestimate by several books, which do not differentiate between the variants) Quantity of this variant: 4100 (estimate based on my serial number research) Short Action - Caliber: 11.15x36mm rimmed Tube magazine under barrel, 8 rounds Turning-bolt action, locked by the bolt-handle rib abutting the receiver ahead of the bridge 1038mm [40.9"] overall, 3.69kg [8.1 lbs] 570mm [22.4"] barrel, 6-groove rifling, RH, concentric Muzzle velocity 298 m/sec with M1867 Carbine round |
 |
Ramp-and-leaf sight graduated to 600 schritt |
 |
This early bolt-action repeating mechanism originally from 1869 is credited to a Viennese gunsmith, Ferdinand Früwirth. The basic Werndl-Holub drum breech was soon seen as cumbersome and incapable of transformation into a magazine-loader. Though experiments with quickloaders were undertaken throughout the 1870s, none was deemed acceptable; nor did the younger Krnka's experiments with 'Schnell-lader' rifles in the early 1870's provide lasting results. Shortly after the first Werndls had been introduced, the Früwirth rifle appeared with a tubular magazine beneath the barrel. Apparently it was based on the then-new Swiss Vetterli M1869 rifle, the Fruwirth carbine had sufficient merit to be issued to Gendarmerie units. |
 |
On May 23, 1872 the Früwirth was officially adopted for the Cisleithanischen Gendarmerie. The bolt-handle rib sufficed as a lock; no ejector was fitted; and the cocking piece had a prominent spur. The straight-wrist stock had a trigger-guard with a spurred rearward extension, similar to that of the Werndl carbine. There was a small nose cap, a swivel on the under-edge of the butt, and a sling loop anchored laterally through the fore-end. |
In 1873 the army briefly considered the gun as an Extra-Corps-Gewehr, but it proved to be too fragile.
In 1874 issue of the Früwirth was extended to the Tiroler Landesschutzen.
 |
Made by Osterreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft, Steyr, 1874-75? Quantity: 12000? both variants combined (overestimate by several books, which do not differentiate between the variants) Quantity of this variant: 900 (estimate based on my serial number research) Long Action - Caliber: 11.15x42mm rimmed A few were made, apparently an attempt to improve the carbine Action was lengthened by 6mm for the longer cartridge Tube magazine under barrel, 7 rounds Top of receiver is marked OEWG for Steyr, replacing the Fruwirth legend Most OEWG marked Fruwirths lack the serial numbers, except one reported: a 1875 dated one has the serial 280 |
 |
Bolt handle is approx. 16mm shorter on these Long Action Fruwirths. |
This model appears to be a transitional design between the Short Action Fruwirth M1872 and the Kropatschek M1881
Manufacturing / Serial data:
Based on my serial number research I am questioning the 12000 manufacturing number claimed by books and collectors and they never mention the OEWG made Variant 2.
14 Fruwirth made serials were reported in the 1xx - 4060 serial range. 3 OEWG made ones were reported, 2 unserialized, one serial 280.
These are to few numbers for reliable statistics, but the best estimate based on currently available numbers:
5000 made total, 4100 (82%) by Fruwirth and 900 (18%) by OEWG.
Please report your Fruwirth serials to update this info.
Photos courtesy of John Wall, Stan Zielinski and Peter Wildschut.