being forced up by the lesser arm of the mainspring, pushes the cam into the slot in the under-surface of the breechblock slide, holding the action open. Because of this cam hold-open, the pistol does not close when the clip is removed. However, drawing back slightly on the breechblock will ride it over the cam, and releasing it will permit the recoil spring to close the action. As the breechblock goes forward, the extractor mounted in the top of the block will snap over the extracting groove of the cartridge as it is chambered. Discharging Movement of the trigger, linked to the trigger bar, releases the sear from the hammer notch. The compressed arm of the mainspring pushes against the hammer notch, rotating the hammer on its axis to strike the firing pin, discharging the cartridge. The breechblock starts back at the instant of discharge, carrying the empty cartridge case with the assistance of the extractor. The empty cartridge case is brought sharply against the ejector, which is a bar at the back of the magazine. The underside of the breechblock is slotted to travel over the ejector. The recoiling slide riding over the hammer causes the hammer to rotate on its axis, locking the sear in the notch of the left hammer fork. The magazine spring forces the next cartridge up into line. At the apex of the recoil stroke, the recoil spring acts to reverse the direction of the breechblock, chambering the fresh cartridge. Until trigger pressure is released, another discharge is not possible. Magazine unload lever A unique feature of this pistol is the unloading device. While the breechblock is held open, pulling down on the serrated lever on the right side at the top of the grip panel will withdraw the lip which is holding the cartridges in the magazine, enabling the magazine spring to move the platform up, forcing all the cartridges out of the magazine. Developmental versions After the disappointing reception of the Mannlicher M1894, the more conventional Mannlicher M1896 appeared, externally resembling the Mauser C96. The M1896 had a fixed magazine ahead of the trigger holding six or seven cartridges. However, most production of this design was an improved M1897/01 which used a detachable six-shot magazine in the same location. Both the M1896 and M1897/01 were chambered for the 7.65×25mm Mannlicher, and both could be fed from the top with a stripper clip.