The M.95 Loopgraafgeweer (Dutch

Dutch language

Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...

: M.95 Trench rifle) was a Dutch periscope rifle

Periscope rifle

A periscope rifle was first invented by Sergeant William Beech, a builder's foreman in civilian life, of the 2nd Battalion NSW, Australian Imperial Force, in May 1915...

, designed in 1916 for the Royal Dutch Army, based on the M.95 (Model 1895), the standard issue rifle of the Dutch armed forces between 1895 and 1942. Though the Netherlands

Netherlands

The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...

 remained neutral during World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

, the Dutch military observed the Western Front

Western Front (World War I)

Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...

 with great interest. Following the invention of the periscope rifle in 1915 by Australian troops fighting in Gallipoli, and its subsequent spread to Europe

Europe

Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...

, the Dutch supreme command decided such rifles would be a welcome asset should the Netherlands be dragged into the war. Within the Dutch Army's tactical doctrine the M.95's role would be similar to a sniper

Sniper

A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....

s; proving a constant threat to the enemy.