Mauser Model 1917 ‘Trench Carbine’
In 1917, Mauser Werke responded to a request from the German Army’s Gewehr-Prufungs-Kommission (GPK) to submit a new weapon to equip Sturmtruppen. This weapon would later become known as the submachine gun. The GPK began its search in 1915, with a number of manufacturers developing designs including Rhinemetall, Walther, Bergmann and Schwarzlose.
Mauser’s submission consisted of a development from their popular C96 pistol. Chambered in 9x19mm the Model 1917 ‘Trench Carbine’ was semi-automatic only so did not completely meet the GPK’s specification for a close-bolt automatic submachine gun. The Model 1917, unlike the C96 pistol, fed from an impressive double stack, double feed 40-round detachable magazine - 10 and 20 round magazines were also made. The carbine’s receiver has no stripper clip guide like the pistols it was based on.
From the few available images of the surviving examples it appears that the later serial number guns (including #31, see images #2 & #3) had extended magazine housings when compared to the earlier Model 1917 prototypes (such as serial #5, see image #4). As a result the shorter magazines (see in image #4) would not have fitted the later guns. The shape of the hammers and the design of the sights as well as the shape of the ejection port also varies between the early and late examples.
Pre-war commercial C96 carbine with front sight protector and detachable stock (source)
The carbine had a full fixed stock and a foregrip similar to earlier Mauser C96 carbines such as the commercial Jagdkarabiner. One clear difference from other C96s is that Mauser extended the rear of the receiver to prevent hammer bite. The carbine also had a disassembly plunger inside the trigger guard. The small magazine release was located below the trigger guard. The Model 1917 may have been a better fit for Sturmtruppen than the Lange Pistole 08 with its more ergonomic stock, however, Mauser’s carbine would certainly not have been a cheap weapon to manufacture.
While the GPK considered the Mauser carbine it did not adopt the weapon. Instead, the Bergmann MP18,I was later selected, despite firing from an open bolt, as it met the fully automatic requirement and its simplicity impressed the GPK. Mauser’s 40-round box magazine was certainly superior, however, the MP18,I fed from the 32-round Trommelmagazin as this was had been in production since late 1916. Mauser made an estimated 40 Model 1917 carbines and while tested none were issued. Perhaps as few as four examples survive today.
Sources:
Images: 1 2 3 4
The Schmeisser Myth - German Submachine Guns Through Two World Wars, M. Helebrant (2016)
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