First Semi-Automatic Rifle

[zinj]

What was the first viable semi-automatic rifle, both technically and commercially?

 

[Odd Job]

This is a great question. I also want to know.
I'm reckoning Jim Keenan can tell us.

 

[AZTOY]

Fusil Automatique Model 1917

OK Crufflers, pop quiz! Name the country that was the first in the world to issue a standard self loading rifle to its troops in the field, and name the rifle. If you said the United States and the Garand, you'd be wrong, and by almost 20 years!!! The country was France, and the rifle was the Fusil Automatique Modele 1917. Indeed, France had developed an autoloading rifle development program prior to the turn of the 20th century that was expansive in both the scope of resources allocated and the number of designs actually conceived and produced. The story of the M1917 rifle then, begins in the early years the 20th Century.

http://www.cruffler.com/historic-june00.html

 

[zinj]

There were civilian centerfire semis before 1917.

 

[Ohio Rifleman]

When I saw this one, the first rifle that sprang to my mind was the M1 Garand. Looks like I'm wrong.

 

[matt9052]

I think the Mondragon was issued by the mexican army in 19O7.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

1885 According to Wikipedia (so take that for what it's worth).

The first successful design for a semi-automatic rifle is attributed to German-born gunsmith Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher, who unveiled the design in 1885

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-automatic_firearm

 

[fatelk]

I'm nowhere near the expert, but I would think one of the early Remingtons would be about the first that was truly successful. I'm sure I will be corrected if I'm wrong.

 

[Ian]

If you include full-autos (since they share the same technological distinction of using the energy from firing to cycle a new cartridge into the chamber), then the first would probably be the Maxim. The first patents related to it were filed in 1883, and the first prototype was demonstrated publicly in 1884.

 

[JohnBT]

Viable?

Browning Patent 1900 - .35 Rem., similar to Rem Model 8, 4913 made between 1910 and 1929.

Remington Model 8 - .25 Rem., .30 Rem., .32 Rem., .35 Rem. 60,000 made between 1906 and 1936.

Remington Model 16 - .22 Rem., 17,738 made between 1914 and 1928.

Remington Model 24 - .22 rimfire, 131,000 made between '22 and '35.



And then there's always the...

Browning Auto-5 Standard 12 ga. introduced Sept. 1903. I'd say the A-5 was viable.

John

 

[.45Guy]

Just out of curiosity, didn't J.M.B. make a MacGyver special out of a soup spoon, a Winchester, and no doubt the progenitor of duct tape?

 

[Neo-Luddite]

Pedersen device for converting 1903 rifle to a blowback.

(not the first--but interesting).

 

[Old Time Hunter]

What 'bout the Winchester '05? Fired the 32WSL for Winchester Self Loading. They shortened the barrel and gave it a detachable magazine, along with reducing the caliber diameter then reintroduced as the MI CARBINE! Of course almost forty years later.

 

[Max Velocity]

Winchester 1907 & 1910 rifle issued by the French in 1914

The French purchased a large number of Winchester Model 1907 and 1910 self loading carbines in calibers .351 and .401 Winchester Self Loading respectively for issue to air crews. These blowback operated weapons were fed from five or ten round magazines, and were stamped ARMEE FRANCAISE, with two crossed flags, on the left side of the receiver.


More info:
http://www.cruffler.com/historic-june00.html

 

[gezzer]

JohnBT , Right on brother!

Winchester? JMB designed all their successful guns. Winchester’s own were crap.

Civilians had semi-autos long before the military.

 

[Old Time Hunter]

Hate to bust your bubble Gezzer, but the Winchester Self-Loaders were NOT entirely Mr. Brown's designs. A gentleman by the name of David Marshall Williams was the genius behind the adaptation of the "short-stroke piston" utilized in the M-1. The 1903 was the first commercially successful semi auto that was developed by Thomas Crossley Johnson starting in 1885, and yes he worked at Winchester. He also designed the '05 and '07 semi's. The "blow back" action was a gas generated adaptation to the "old" Winchester Hotchkiss bolt made back in the early '80s (1880s that is) which is the first "hammerless" center fire. Even though I would acknowledge that John Browning is probably the most proficient weapons designer of all time, there are few that did make innovative ideas into reality and some even worked for your "dreaded" Winchester.

 

[The_Antibubba]

I love Wiki!

The first successful design for a semi-automatic rifle is attributed to German-born gunsmith Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher, who unveiled the design in 1885

You can tell the entry was written by "one of us".

 

[gezzer]

Not bursting my bubble Old Time Hunter I stated successful designs.

The 1905 with it's weak cartridges were not a total success the Remington model 8 made them a weak second choice.

How many of the 1905’s are in the hunting woods today vs. the Remington M8? How available are the 1905’s cartridges?