Kropatschek rifle

Kropatschek/Steyr-Kropatschek
Kropatschek Models
TypeRifle
Place of originAustria-Hungary
Service history
In service1886 – 1961 (Portugal)
Used bySee Users
WarsWar of the Pacific
French conquest of Tunisia
Mandingo Wars
First Madagascar expedition
Tonkin campaign
Sino-French War
Revolta da Armada
Federalist Revolution
First Italo-Ethiopian War
War of Canudos
Second Boer War
World War I
Spanish Civil War
World War II (Portuguese colonies)
1959 Viqueque rebellion
Annexation of Goa
Portuguese Colonial War
Production history
DesignerAlfred von Kropatschek
Designed1886
Produced1886–circa 1898
VariantsLong rifle, short rifle
Specifications
Mass4.3 kg (9.5 lb)
Length1320 mm (4 ft)
Barrel length820 mm (32.3 in)

Cartridge11.15x58mmR
11×.15x36mmR
11×59mmR Gras
8×56mmR Kropatschek Corto
8×60mmR Guedes
8x50mmR Mannlicher
Caliber8mm (.329 in)
ActionBolt action
Muzzle velocity609 m/s (2,000 ft/s)
Effective firing range2406 yd (2,200 m)
Feed system8-round integral tubular magazine

A Kropatschek is any variant of a rifle designed by Alfred von Kropatschek. Kropatschek's rifles used a tubular magazine (constructed of nickel-plated steel) of his design, of the same type used in the Japanese Murata Type 22 and the German Mauser Gewehr 1871/84. While designed for black powder, the Kropatschek action proved to be strong enough to handle smokeless powder.

The Kropatschek was the basis for the French Lebel M1886.