At the beginning of the 20th century it was still formidable if not cutting edge. It was smooth and fast, and worked great with moderately powerful cartridges. Its action is pure M1893, which to refresh your memory, is a 'small ring' Mauser design that cocks on closing (which I prefer to the later, stronger 98 action which cocked on opening). Originally chambered in the hot-for-its-day 7x57mm Mauser cartridge, the M1893 wasn't the strongest bolt action on the block, but it didn't really need to be. I've blogged about two Spanish Mausers before: the very important M1893, and the interesting FR-8. Think of the M1916 as the M1893's little brother, so to speak.
