Notes: The FMM (Fusil Mauser Mexicano) Model 1902 was a Mauser rifle, built for Mexico by the Germans, to replace the earlier FMM Model 1895. The Mexicans have had a long and fruitful relationship with the Germans, in many ways beginning with the Mauser-based military rifles. The Model 1902 used an action derived from the Gew-98, but used a straight-wrist stock and an 1895-pattern bayonet.

The Mexicans need more rifles however, and German production was not enough for them. They ordered some similar rifles from Austria-Hungary. The FMM Model 1907 used a pistol-grip-style stock and s short bayonet attachment bar (forcing a change in the design of the bayonet). The rear sight leaf was also changed to reflect improvements in ammunition. Physically, the rifle was some 5mm longer due to the change in the stock.

The Mexicans began to produce their own Mauser-pattern rifles with the FMM Model 1910. This weapon was almost identical to the FMM 1902, except for the bayonet used (a Model 1907 sword bayonet) and the sights. It did, however, begat two carbine variants – the CMM Model 1910 and CMM Model 1912. About 4000 of these carbines were built for cavalry, and were basically FMM Model 1910s with the barrels chopped to 17.5 inches. The two are identical for game purposes.

The Model 1912 rifle was an answer to the slow response of Mexican industry to the request for an indigenous rifle. The Mexicans ordered another batch of rifles from Austria-Hungary. These rifles are basically similar to the FMM Model 1907, but somewhat heavier due to design differences (mainly in the wood used for the stock). They also used the Model 1907 sword bayonet. Many of these rifles were seized by the Austro-Hungarian government before they could be shipped to Mexico and issued to their troops when World War 1 started. A short rifle version was also built, in small numbers; this version had a turned-down bolt handle and different sights.

Notes: Some of these weapons were purchased from FN in Belgium; others were built by Brno in Czechoslovakia. Czech-made versions are a bit shorter in the barrel. They are both, however, basically improved Model 1902 rifles, with pistol-grip stocks, turned-down bolt handles, and full-length handguards. They used the Model 1924 sword bayonet.

A carbine version was also built for Mexico by FN. They differed from standard FN-built rifles in the very short barrel length and the inability to mount a bayonet, as well as sights that were graduated way too high for the short barrel.

Notes: This is an indigenously-produced Mauser variant designed to replace the FMM Model 1902 and most of its variants. It is basically an 1898-pattern Mauser with the barrel bands, nose cap, and cocking piece from the US Springfield M-1903 (itself a Mauser-pattern rifle). It also had a pistol-grip stock, a slight swelling ahead of the magazine to produce a palm rest, a turned-down bolt handle, and US-style sling swivels.

After World War 2, the Mexicans modified the Model 1936 to fire .30-06 Springfield ammunition. This produced the Model 1954. Changes were made that were necessary to chamber the new caliber and to the magazine to hold the new rounds. The barrel was lengthened very slightly. However, since semiautomatic rifles became readily available after World War 2, the Mexicans stopped manufacturing the Model 1954 in 1956, and relegated the rifles to reserve use.