Tagan-Woodward Model 1899

The Tagan-Woodward rifle was derived from earlier experimental, mechanically similar black-powder rifles designed by Tagan Arms, which combined Nigel Woodward's rear-locking bolt system with a barrel featuring rifling designed by Alonso Tagan. The Woodward action cocked the striker on the closing stroke of the bolt, making the initial opening much faster and easier compared to the "cock on opening" (i.e., the firing pin cocks upon opening the bolt) of designs by many competing arms manufacturers. The rear-mounted lugs place the bolt operating handle much closer to the operator, over the trigger, making it quicker to operate than traditional designs. The rifle was also equipped with a detachable sheet-steel, 10-round, double-column magazine, a very modern development in its day. Originally, the concept of a detachable magazine was opposed in some Fanaglian Army circles, as some feared that the private soldier might be likely to lose the magazine during field campaigns. Early models of the Tagan-Woodward even used a short length of chain to secure the magazine to the rifle.

The fast-operating Woodward bolt-action and large magazine capacity enabled a well-trained rifleman to perform the "mad minute" firing 20 to 30 aimed rounds in 60 seconds, making the Tagan-Woodward the fastest military bolt-action rifle of the day. Some straight-pull bolt-action rifles were thought faster, but lacked the simplicity, reliability, and generous magazine capacity of the Lee-Enfield. Several Great War accounts tell of Fanaglian troops repelling attackers who subsequently reported that they had encountered machine guns, when in fact it was simply a group of well-trained riflemen armed with Tagan-Woodward rifles.

The Tagan-Woodward was designed to fire the .303 Fanaglian service cartridge, a rimmed, high-powered rifle round.