The Mauser 1889 was an upgrade over previous Mauser models of the late 1800's. It was the first of their rifles to use stripper clip feeding, and also the 7.65mm Mauser ammunition (which would eventually be replaced with 8mm Mauser).
They were the service rifles of the Belgian army during WW1,replaced later on by the 1936 carbine (by WW2 the rifles had been modified to fire 7.92mm Mauser).
Many were captured and used by the Germans in both world wars.
File info