Rescuing a Rusty Gun that Survived 2 World Wars

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This set of rifle, sling and bayonet came together, and was about the be scrapped (as usual😑). It's not in terrible condition, but definitely deserves some care.
It is a Mannlicher M95 in its original configuration (8x50R caliber), made in 1915, meaning it survived both WWI and WWII.
Being a WWI-era weapon, with genuine wear on it, I used a very conservative approach, trying to keep things as original as possible while getting it back in shape.
A special thanks goes to Michelangelo Neri Orliani for helping in the making of this project
If you can and want to help me making videos like this, you can directly support me on Patreon, to cover some of the expenses of running this channel:
/ backyardballistics

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

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[@thelaughinghyenas8465]

A beautiful job. Question: have you tried using brass wool for delicate de-rusting? I've had some good luck with it, but I may be missing something. I found it didn't hurt the finished areas when taking off that bit of rot in otherwise good finish.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

@@thelaughinghyenas8465 i've used bronze brushes, but didn't really see any advantage over steel wool

[@thelaughinghyenas8465]

@@Backyard.Ballistics Thank you for the fast answer. I really love seeing your restores! They have inspired me to do some here that actually turned out successful. Not as beautiful as yours of course. You really explain steps, chemicals, etc. VERY appreciated.

[@ddoherty5956]

Fantastic as usual, thanks for the video and sharing the skills and knowledge. 👍🇬🇧

[@Lavachips]

Try restoring an bigger gun, like a cannon or a small artillery piece

[@denniswolf7588]

no real need to deactivate this firearm since the ammo is rarer than unicorns. Great restoration as always.

[@scottkrafft6830]

That's actually not true, they still make the round in India as .315 Indian. A REAL unicorn would be 11.15×58mmR, used in the M1886 Mannlicher and older Werndl-Holub rifle.

[@MarioJurjevic]

imagine flying unicorn who farts rainbow colors,what a view,lol

[@andersjjensen]

Unfortunately that is usually a matter of legal requirement, not practical relevance. Which just makes me extra happy that our hero is firm as concrete on only giving firearms to museums that are in countries that do not require their destruction.

[@captianmorgan7627]

@@andersjjensen Not 100% about this case but but in many European countries what makes a gun easier to own and not needing to be deactivated or having hard to get licenses to own is availability of ammunition. eta: Looks like Italy is similar to the US in that antique is designated by age (pre 1890). Though, unlike the US, antique does not mean 'not a gun'.

[@bryanjensen2614]

As a unicorn I can confirm this.

[@MTK7578]

Wake up babe, new backyard ballistics restoration just dropped

[@kinuawakai5972]

😂😂😂

[@4192362]

wake up babe, this meme is shit

[@Micunymosmakesstuff]

me too tho

[@Micunymosmakesstuff]

here is this comment about this meme being shit, i reported that for misinformation

[@Sauzeisawesome]

​@4192362 wake up babe, your attitude is shit.

[@bolinfan1519]

My great-great uncle, Korp. Leopold Wadas, k.u.k. 57.Infanterieregiment (Tarnów), II.Bataillon, 7.Kompanie, used this rifle in the late war on the Serbian and Italian fronts. He was wounded in 1918 and survived the war.

[@q1q2q23]

He was lucky then! My great grandfather, Wojciech Magda, was with the Polish Legion (Haller's) in Austro-Hungary, and apparently they were mostly issued single-shot rifles.

[@bolinfan1519]

I believe the Polish Legion was suspected by the Austro-Hungarians to be a nationalist organization and therefore limited their access to the best weapons. The Poles in Galicia associated with Józef Piłsudski set up rifle clubs before the war to teach military-age men how to shoot, and the Austro-Hungarian government allowed them to do it. But they kept an eye on them. During the war, some k.u.k. infantry regiments were issued older rifles. All units in the k.k. landswehr had the most modern rifles and sidearms.

[@manitoba-op4jx]

this specific rifle? if so, i'd love to know what tipped you off.

[@bolinfan1519]

@@manitoba-op4jx No, not this specific rifle. Same kind.

[@q1q2q23]

​@@bolinfan1519 Yes, it would make a lot of sense to view them with suspicion, from the perspective of an empire participating in the partition of Poland. Such units would usually be worse equipped and provisioned. Anyway - Polish Legions - fascinating history 👍

[@rogerramjet3083]

Your channel is the gold standard of gun restoration.

[@therogers4432]

Yup... ^THIS^ I refuse to watch any of the US "restoration" channels beccause somehow *things just never quite stack-up* and also because Carlo explains *every step, every process and every chemical* that he uses, and most importantly *why* in such great detail 😁👍

[@andersjjensen]

WOOOOOW! That's an "Ian McCullum wants to visit you"-rare rifle right there. And I'm SO glad it was in a condition where a super respectful restoration/touch-up was possible. Some museum custodian somewhere is going to be salivating when this comes in, for sure!

[@kentuckyfriedpepespeaks1550]

RTI actually has a bunch of these for sale coming out of Ethiopia for relatively cheap, but expect them to be in around the same condition of that This one is.

[@therogers4432]

I'd love to see a collaboration between Carlo and Forgotten Weapons someday, because both creators are at the absolute peak of their respective fields and geek like me would go into paroxysms of joy...

[@blanklystaring9270]

Wow, this was a really impressive video. I love that you not only restored the rifle but also made ammo for it, something I'd never seen before for a restoration. You are quite honestly the only gun restoration channel I watch these days, and I hope to see more great videos in the future!

[@wolfgangkoeppen52]

Good news for those who still have unconverted m.95's, there's a company called Millsurp Munitions in the US that's starting up and its going to be making 8x50r along with 6.5 Vetterli and 6.5 Carcano for the first run in a few weeks. Im not too sure what pricing is going to be, but he has said is going to be competitive with PPU's pricing

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

That's good news! Will they be shipping components overseas though?

[@wolfgangkoeppen52]

@@Backyard.Ballistics it wouldn’t hurt to ask, and also if your local FFL’s can import ammunition

[@M.M.83-U]

Nice, but are we speaking of loaded rounds or empty brasses? The second would be much easyer to import in the EU.

[@kingofhearts3185]

​@@M.M.83-UI doubt they would mind selling the brass if they make them if it would be easier to get approved for export and cut out the expense of making a complete round.

[@KuruGDI]

"[...] no silly deactivation" - Amen, brother! 🙌

[@dunkirchen1940]

Amen indeed!

[@WurledPeas]

It’s always good to see a bit of history saved from the scrap heap and brought back to life.

[@LarryDeSilva64]

Another beautiful restoration not overly done preserving the historical aspect of this rifle. A working shooting museum quality piece for sure. Thanks for another great video Carlo.

[@DavidP751]

Always a good day when backyard ballistics uploads.

[@cooperwilliams9140]

Never clicked on a video faster. Love M.95's. I've got 4 ❤

[@roberts1938]

A very interesting family story. My grandfather volunteered for the Legions - a Polish formation fighting alongside Austria-Hungary - because it was under Russian occupation. He fought in the Carpathians during World War I. Later, after the fall of Austria-Hungary, he fought for Poland in the Polish-Bolshevik war on various fronts of the war. He even received a Latvian decoration for fighting for the country's independence. He was a professional non-commissioned officer who was awarded the Cross of Valor four times for outstanding military deeds. During World War II he fought against the Germans in Polish Kampain 1939. Later he wanted to join the conspiracy, but he was caught, taken to the concentration camp in Auschwitz and murdered there. In Poland, lanolin is used to renovate stiff leather. Lanolin is an emulsifier intended for very dry and dry leather.

[@ambisinisterengineering5242]

tried your caustic hot bluing solution it worked really impressively, blued an engraved lock plate from a scrapped shotgun that I repurposed into a rotary tattoo machine and it came out perfectly. thanks cant wait for the parkerising video as i tried it once and got marginal results. keep up the good work

[@davidvisser4446]

As an engineer i really enjoy these videos and the technical aspect of it. Great to see an expert at work.

[@jamesbecker3203]

This is the only gun restoration channel I trust to be real

[@duurnamets9678]

Their are more

[@Cloudstrife112233]

I believe the straight-pull was also adopted as it was considered easier to operate and required less training time of new troops. Excellent restoration as always.

[@davidhandyman7571]

Great to see you again. I look forward to witnessing your handywork. I appreciate the "tasteful" restoration to preserve such a good example.

[@HK94]

Lovely restoration. Awesome to see that you decided to preserve as much as you could of the original and weathered look.👍

[@LordQuintix]

Keep up the good work! The History of our Wars cannot be understated, the fact that you're decided on preserving such heritage. I applaud your efforts and pray that you make this your full time job!

[@fkakasumi9713]

I've been binge watching these videos lately and let me tell you, it's such a relief seeing an honest youtuber who gets to the point and doesn't fake his restorations

[@johnmoore8599]

Very beautiful restoration. Glad it went to a museum. Happy New Year!

[@bagatuuri8070]

Best gun restorer at youtube for sure, great info aswell and nice that you comment what you do in different stages of restorations and also if guns is safe to fire you test them, great work and great content. Just one more thing make more of these !

[@gunedict]

Perfect as always 👍👍

[@geemanamatin8383]

Ballistics coming along to save some more historical relics once again. Always a pleasure to watch.

[@Gunbudder]

I've just discovered that the SKS that i restored actually came with a leather pouch! its all still soaked in cosmoline, but i look forward to restoring it. your videos have inspired me to restore more of the older 40's to 60's stuff that i have (including a WWII used M1911A1).

[@hosonitz]

Loved the leather refinishing. It’s crazy what you’re able to do with the right knowledge and materials!

[@barnabasbujaki2844]

The Hungarian army used the weapon itself and the 8x56mm ammo too in the second world war, even developed new guns to use it but at the end they started using 8x57mm mauser too.

[@IsaardP]

Your work is amazing to watch! It inspired and helped me to work on one of my old guns a BRNO ZH 201 o/u shotgun - I made up a long vat to boil pieces, figured out a good cleaning and rusting process, it's been a lot of work but really satisfying. Thanks for all the great videos! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@draguladriver]

It's amazing how well it looks and fires after over a century, great job!

[@gradh3123]

You are a hero for doing these restorations

[@Eye_Make]

As a leatherworker it's very nice to see someone not ignoring the leatherwork :)

[@michaelpeck1346]

Absolutely fantastic work.

[@BudFranks-fu9ye]

Beautiful work. Great job👍💯

[@MarcusBurkenhare]

Now that looks magnificent. Good job.

[@REXOB9]

Love your channel. Thanks for taking such care of this piece of history. Amazing that you hand crafted new ammunition and that it shot so well. Thanks.

[@colinblick8946]

Hadn’t seen this model thanks for repairing an demo’ing it😎👌🏽

[@neilfriesland634]

Beautiful restoration! Thank you!

[@AjackLee4]

I restored one of these myself, an 8x50R long rifle they're very well made and stood up to abuse surprisingly well!

[@jacobworth4584]

It's so cool seeing you restore 2 guns that I have models of my own from somewhere completely different in the world.

[@nqgamer]

When are we gonna see the collab we all need? Backyard Ballistics and Forgotten Weapons.

[@dazza0018]

Yet another great restoration on a historically valuable rifle !

[@kjamison5951]

Happy New Year and thank you for this video!

[@sgtbuckwheat]

You did a beautiful restoration on that carbine. It is a shame nobody can get ammo for such firearms. The museum it goes to is lucky to have it.

[@Peaceful_Gojira]

Nice work, man. That is an amazing find. So glad to see it was in such good condition, and has survived 2 World Wars! Cheers. Stay safe, shoot straight.

[@deadredherring]

Awesome work. It's always a pleasure to watch you work on these guns.

[@jeff911p]

once again, awesome video and beautiful work.

[@bsimpson6204]

Another good and honest restoration, well done 👍

[@luthfieraditya4041]

I used this gun on BF1 and BF V a lot, I love the straight pull mechanism

[@theaggiefan54]

Wow that finish you applied made that stock jump to life!

[@josephlemieux5981]

Great content, thanks for sharing!

[@robertmcpeak2462]

Absolutely beautiful restoration!

[@slavicboi7714]

Hope you're doing well man, always glad to see a new video of yours.

[@davidjblythe]

I love the air tool sounds.

[@TheBrubaker2]

Another great restoration! Strangely I get more enjoyment watching it be dismantled than put back together. I think it is the anticipation of what condition each part is in.

[@jacobfaris3492]

The commitment is truly impressive, love your content

[@johndread2286]

nice....well done.....thanks for sharing

[@sethyboi5013]

one of your best restorations yet! love it

[@chriskylo323]

Love watching your vids. Always very informative and interesting.

[@Juan_Doooh]

Very nice work, never thought it could’ve been a hidden gem.

[@silasprinothmetaldetecting2310]

Nice video good restauration

[@sirbollocks609]

Many thanks for posting this I very much enjoyed watching your presentation

[@chrisgosling6083]

interesting rifle, i think its the easiest restoration you have has for a while !! i have a 1886 11mm mannlicher rifle , super interesting action , another one saved you should keep a tally like on the ww2 fighter ace with the outline of the fire arms you have saved , thanks for the interesting content nice to see it back shooting again

[@bigaudioal]

I just watched ALL your restoration videos after coming across one of them in my KZbin feed. They are spectacular! Well done, with tons of useful information and tips. Thanks for putting this content out there. Really great stuff! Hope to see more videos soon.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

Thank you for watching!

[@VolkswagenGamer]

I've been to the Great War memorial in Asiago. It's very striking in person and also seeing the rolling hills behind it.

[@spektakelkd]

Fantastic video as per usual. You are one of the few creators I watch every video from start to finish, hanging on every word.

[@Xtoxinlolinecronomicon]

Always looking forward to your restoration videos.

[@Vikingwerk]

Always interesting and informative, thanks!

[@frankjonesy]

Awesome resto and great video. My Great Grandfather was fighting in the Dolomites on the Austrian side. He was a Junior Officer in the Hussars but they were employed as infantry in the mountains. Perhaps our ancestors exchanged some fire. Thanks very much for another great video.

[@jesscobb2279]

I restored a 1916 French Berthier all by hand. It was found behind a wall in an old barn. My buddy didn't know what to do with it so he let me have it. I rust blued everything by hand and it took 8 coats to finish. The 8mm Lebel ammunition was very hard to find, but I eventually found some. It's surprisingly a fantastic and accurate rifle. Very long and cumbersome and I can see why the French ditched it after WWI. Great video as always. God bless

[@hot_coldman]

Gorgeous work. No gun should be deactivated in my opinion.

[@travisspalding8337]

I own a m95 in 8x50r. it's what got me into reloading. I bought dies and can consistently hit the gong at 300 yards with iron sights. the longest range available to me

[@3vildroidcreations940]

Reminds me of a WW1 mannlicher my nanna passed down to me (1918 Hembrug). It took a lot of research to find out cause it looked drastically different from others, and it turned out to be an Indian modified mannlicher (modified in the 1950's). Shortened barrel, muzzle brake, converted to .303. Great stuff!

[@dannyboy5514]

Great video man!

[@michaelw.urbansr.8617]

thanks for the video it was awesome!

[@anotherjones5384]

Just got back from being out in the boat fishing all day and discover Backyard Ballistics dropped a new video. Brilliant day

[@robertjessen1554]

Very nice work.

[@antiares1684]

That was a great restoration video! Thank you for preserving history!

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

Thank you for watching!

[@projecteaspl6373]

interesting piece of history. Also nice restoration!

[@douglaskerr6813]

Great video its great to see an un modified example return to service

[@AndrewForsyth-ck6yx]

very interesting. Thank you.

[@filipigo]

It is a pleasure watching your work. Thank you for sharing this history!

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

Thank you for watching! And commenting!

[@500mos]

A wonderful old rifle from the war in the Dolomites. I have a diary of a Italian Officer who fought there in WW1. great job you did. I have had several of those but in 8x56r. I had one in 8mm. I like that design alot.

[@Otton2206]

I found one of these many years ago on the bottom of a bog in Poland by chance. Full wood, working action after use of penetrator and even with leather strap. Nice video as always!

[@AjackLee4]

Very glad to see she won't be deactivated! These rifles are a forgetten gem!

[@rogiervis2306]

Together with Forgotten Weapons and 9 holes Review and Bloke on the Range, the best gun content videos on You Tube.

[@Veritas419]

Another excellent restoration.

[@hendriktonisson2915]

Yugoslavia adopted an interesting conversion of this rifle in the 1930s known as M.95M which changed the cartridge to 7.92mm Mauser and changed the feed system from enbloc clips to stripper clip feed by permanently fixing an enbloc clip in the magazine to act as feed lips and cutting a stripper clip guide into the receiver.

[@gaveintothedarkness]

Congrats on 300K subs!!!!

[@andrewblock5087]

You're videos are always worth the wait

[@avtomatkalash3888]

great timing dude, i just got a relic gun today haha (Mosin M91/30). altough mine is beyond renovatable i still love it

[@alyssatipton5080]

I absolutely love your videos

[@avd-wd9581]

Congrats on 300k. Well-deserved.

[@miketeeveedub5779]

What a joy and an honor to restore such a historical technological relic from a by-gone era! That was a wonderful restoration and preservation, still full of character after 110 years. A show piece for a museum to be sure! Thanks for sharing that experience with us! BTW - my father's side of the family is from that region of Italy/Slovenia/Croatia. Hope there weren't any TeeVeeDubs battling the Backyard Ballistics. That would break my heart! Cheers friend!

[@szinyovszky]

Nice vid! Rifle says "Budapest" which is the capital of Hungary. Should look at the bayonet too. If it says "FGGY" it is a Hungarian made too. Interesring part is our ancestors were shooting at each others now we are here interested in the same thing!

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

Sadly the footage about the markings didn't make it into the video, but the bayonet was made by Steyr, and the rifle by FEG in Budapest.

[@szinyovszky]

@@Backyard.Ballistics thank you for the answer!

[@ronaldhowdeshell8628]

It must be greatly satisfying to take old garbage and restore it to a functioning, beautiful historic firearm and to be able to fire it. Love your channel.

[@Subdood04]

As always, super cool!

[@imayala1705]

First off, great to see you again! Second, i have an original Steyr maker M95 in 8x50R Mannlicher, getting ammo for it is the worst. custom reloads are so expensive and finding components for reloading by hand is exactly as hard in the states as it probably is for you all the way over in italy. Im glad at the very least to have a good example of a Long rifle variant still in good and functional condition

[@therabbitcanada]

When I worked at Century Arms in Montreal we sold a crap ton of these. Had a few in this and worse condition that we had to sell at the end.