| 35M Puska (35M Rifle) | |
|---|---|
 35M Rifle from theSwedish Army Museum. | |
| Type | Bolt-actionservice rifle |
| Place of origin | Kingdom of Hungary |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1935–1950s |
| Used by | Kingdom of Hungary Soviet Union Nazi Germany People's Republic of Hungary |
| Wars | World War II Hungarian Revolution of 1956 |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1935 |
| Produced | 1935–1950s |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.98 kilograms (8.8 lb) |
| Length | 1,110 millimetres (44 in) |
| Barrel length | 600 millimetres (24 in) |
| Cartridge | 8×56mmR,7.92×57mm Mauser |
| Action | Bolt-action |
| Muzzle velocity | 730 m/s (2,395 ft/s) |
| Feed system | 5-rounden bloc clip, internalbox magazine |
| Sights | open Partridge rear sight, square post front sight |
TheFÉG 35M was abolt-action rifle chambered in8×56mmR. Though superficially still resembling the95/31M Carbine, it was a new design with a cock-on-close bolt. An easily recognizable distinguishing feature was the placement of the bolt handle, which was further forward than in the 1895 design. It was used byHungary in the years leading up to and duringWorld War II, as well as after World War II, yet was gradually phased out by bothRed Army surplus, and locally producedMosin–Nagant carbines in the years after.
After theGreat War, modifications were made on the 95Mcarbines, recalibrating the sights to the newly adopted metric system, and later adopting the Austrian-developed8x56mmR. Analysing the performance of the 95M in World War I had revealed several deficiencies: thestraight-pull Mannlicher could freeze in cold; the bolts were hand-fitted, thus non-interchangeable - being replaced only by trained gunsmiths; and the cock-on-opening operation. In the end, it was decided that the new rifle should use a simpler, more conventionalrotating bolt, as well as a betterbayonet.
For the new requirements, the Hungarian military andFÉG took theMannlicher–Schönauer action, derived from the bolt of theGewehr 88, which was also used onRomanian andDutch Mannlichers. A prototype, known as 33.M, was produced in small series for trials in 1933.[1] The prototype differed from the final 35.M in the following ways:[2]
At around the same time, Steyr-Solothurn proposed a competitive design based on theŒWG 1917 G98 modernization, which wasserially produced in China, yet never adopted.[5]
All the springs in the rifle except the one in the sight arecoil springs. The new safety could be engaged both when the rifle was cocked and uncocked. The barrel was lengthened and the distance between front and rear sights was increased. A British-style two-piece stock avoided the need to import extremely dimensionally stable wood.[6]
DuringWorld War II, military cooperation withGermany and a shortage of standard Mauser K98k rifles in theWehrmacht led to modifications to the 35M. It was rechambered to the standard German 7.92×57 IS cartridge with a fully enclosed flush magazine, the bolt handle was made angled, the bayonet socket was changed to accept German bayonets and some alterations were made to the sling mount. In addition, the rifle was adopted to use standard Mauser5-round charger clips and its sights were recalibrated to match the ballistics of the 7.92mm IS cartridge.[7]
In German service this modified weapon was known as theGewehr 98/40.[7] Hungary also adopted this version, slightly modified, as the43M.
