Ash, the Haenel M1900 and M1909 actions are not “merely modified M88 actions”, but complete redesigns made from scratch in Suhl. See again this thread, bottom of page:
http://forums.nitroexpress.com/printthre...amp;type=thread
These Haenels used a staggered column magazine, same size and capacity like the standard Mauser one, loaded from top with single cartridges or stripper clips. But as the now common W-type follower spring was still protected by Mauser’s patents, Haenel had to design and patent his own magazine follower leverwork. Remember, the USA had to pay heavy royalties to Mauser until they entered WW1 because their “new” M03 Springfield rifle infringed on several valid Mauser patents, among them the W-type follower spring. BTW, the contemporary Mannlicher-Schoenauer spool type magazine was originally meant to be a flush, 5 shot capacity magazine that did not infringe on Mauser’s patents.
The 1910 Haenel catalog mentioned a “10.75” chambering as an extra cost option, but warned about the magazine capacity being reduced to 4 shot. So this offering was apparently for a fatter cartridge, either the x63 or x68.