'Knute' - The truth be told, the German made Spanish Model 1893 rifles were gorgeous, when they left Berlin.

The magazine could be 'topped-up' with loose cartridges. You just had to have the bolt open to do so.

The Mauser fed by stripping cartridges from the magazine. Without a magazine cut-off, it could not meet the criteria of functioning as a single-shot, with magazine contents held in reserve. (The 1903 Springfield cleverly solved this situation).

By your tone, I think you fully understand the mental set of the 'decision makers', rather naïve with our hindsight.

Some pictures of my Oviedo Arsenal rebuilt model 1893 Mauser; it does shoot well. (I'd sure like to have a good example of a 'war capture' sold from Springfield Armory).

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