Now I'm curious & trying to find out???

[ElmerThud]

Recently I bought and now have in my possession a Mannlicher Schoenauer M1903 Takedown rifle. Oesterr. Waffenfabr.- Ges. Steyr

It is (as all M1903's are in 6.5x54MSch Cal.) it's not quite original in that the rifle was first supplied with a metal butt plate & trap with cleaning rods. The metal plate has been replaced many years ago with a composite butt pad & of course no cleaning rods. But, other than that, the rifle is absolutely original and in quite decent condition - both wood and barrel.
The action is slick as can be...the best!

I took it all to bits this morning and gave it a damn good cleaning.......I love the smell of bore cleaner in the morning! - ......PS....Ssssch....I haven't told my wife of this acquisition yet!! As far as she knows, 'it's an old rifle, been knocking about for years'....and that's the truth. Just not knocking about in my house. :twisted: :lol:

It has a serial number 16020 and a further code stamp underneath as follows: 1779 ' 22 further, underneath again, there is also a stamp: C6.5 ' 22

I am inclined to think, but do not know....1779 is (I think) the Austrian proof house stamp and the ' 22 is the year in which it was proofed - i.e. 1922
The rifle appears to have also been 'Nitroproofed' again in London, UK and has a scrolled
(fancy) GV stamp as well as four other 'crown' type stamps.

I am probably wrong & I understand that, but does anyone have a better idea?
There is very little real info. on the internet on MSch serial numbers...this is due to the unpleasantries of the 1939-1945 conflict when the factory and all its' records were destroyed during the bombing.

I haven't yet fired the rifle and currently am waiting arrival of reloading dies from the USA...also new Norma brass. I have some load data in mind and many thanks to Scotty and my previous records from 1985-1991 when I last owned a stutzen (carbine) version of M1903 MSch.
Cheers, ET

 

[Rigbymauser]

When does people learn to post Pictures instead of teasing other members with fine guns of interest?.

:wink:

 

[ElmerThud]

When does people learn to post Pictures instead of teasing other members with fine guns of interest?. :wink:

OK mister impatient....pics coming!! :lol:

 

[DrMike]

Indeed, you have one of the slickest actions ever built. Unfortunately, all I'm able to do is look and lust, since I have so little knowledge of the proofing marks used. Still, would I hesitate to pick a similar rifle up if it came available? I would own it in a heartbeat (though I confess that I passed on a similar rifle about ten years ago--lack of funds, etc.). A delightful piece of history chambered in a great (though woefully neglected) cartridge. Congratulations!

 

[ElmerThud]

Thank you so much Mike. It is indeed a sweet little rifle & has been sitting in a chaps gun cabinet unused for 18 years. There's so much info. about these rifles and yet also so very little following the factory destruction.
Of course, being a European product few loading data details are known about as originally, even in Europe the ammunition was never reloaded by more than just a few people until perhaps the 1960's.
Data from US propellant manufacturers is scarce to say the least....however, some does exist through collector/user sources.

Anyway, when my dies arrive that will be my next project...meantime it would be interesting just to know a little more about what I have.
ATB

 

[DrMike]

While there is scant reloading data available, QuickLoad should give some usable projections once you are ready to go. Give some particulars (bullet and weight, powder, etc.) and someone should be able to provide some pretty sound data for you.

 

[SJB358]

That's a beauty ET! Talk about a real piece of engineering! Can't wait to see it at work.

Looks to be in excellent condition for its age. Should be a sweet little stag slayer.

We will get you all the data you can stand when your ready buddy. QL has the cartridge so it shouldn't be too bad to get it sorted out.

 

[6mm Remington]

The craftsmanship in that thing is unreal!

 

[ElmerThud]

I have been in touch with Scotty who's been very helpful Mike. (talk of the devil & sure enough he'll appear) :lol: I have some data from when I previously owned a stutzen MSch back in 1985-1991. How stupid I was to sell that little rifle..it was very enjoyable to shoot.
Back then I learned that because of the short barrel length, the Scottish deer authorities had prohibited the use of such a rifle for the taking of deer & so they and the cartridge rapidly fell out of favour... also because of the split rear part of the receiver, mounting a scope isn't the easiest job in the world and with the later Steyr models being produced, these older models fell out of fashion.

Shame really, but there you have it........now I have a little gem of a collectors piece.

I have to escape & do a chore now, but I'll catch up later...cheers guys.

 

[Oldtrader3]

The MS did not change much over the years? My 1952 model looked jut like yours except for the chambering. Elmer, you might look up the online version of Powley's Computer which will give you a starting load for that rifle based on case capacity?

I agree with your assessment of the scope mount for MS rifles. They are somewhat of an abortion? Very nice find in beautiful condition for its age.

 

[ElmerThud]

Thanks OT3 I'll take a look. Plainly these rifles didn't change a lot back when they ere produced...it's more to do with legality in Scotland & fashion.
The history of them though is very interesting especially when you look through the list of early 1900's big game hunters that used the M1903 rifle. Most of the big names in dangerous game hunting are at the top of the list.

And....thankyou fellas for your very kind comments and helpfulness.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

I covet this rifle in the extremis my friend.

Good luck!

Take it hunting soon and tell us how it works out!

That 6.5x54 MS was a pretty good cartridge from what I've heard.

 

[wildgene]

...the 160gr. 'standard' 6.5X54 load didn't meet the minimum MV/ Energy required by the 1963 Deer Act (???) from the short carbine barrel, so they weren't legal for deer hunting anymore. I would guess modern powder & bullets would allow a legal load w/o pushing chamber pressures...

 

[Bruce Mc]

That rifle is a serious case of cool. I like old classics. I don't think I've ever seen a hideaway flip up tang sight.

 

[Rigbymauser]

It has a serial number 16020 and a further code stamp underneath as follows: 1779 ' 22 further, underneath again, there is also a stamp: C6.5 ' 22

I)

Beautiful rifle. Thanks for sharing.

if i recall correct from my Mannlicher Schönauer days the 1779-22 means it was made in 1922 and was the 1779th rifle made.

I do come a cross the carbine Model 1903 from time to time and I often feel I must have one again. They are lovely handling rifles and they look good too. It is a Classic rifle that is mentioned in many hunting stories throughout the world

 

[ElmerThud]

Thanks RigbyMauser, I kind of suspected that may be the code MSch used... however, I remain unsure because it could be the Austrian proof number & date stamp.

It's probable the serial number 16020 is the total number of all models of M1903 (sporting rifles between 1903 & 1922) that had been produced up to the time my particular rifle was made.

Again, I do not know, but am guessing. Either way it still makes it quite an old rifle if 1922 is correct.

Thanks also Bruce for your kind comments too.....indeed, for all kind comments made by you chaps.

 

[ElmerThud]

I just discovered the NPV proof mark is a UK proof mark. The fancy EV is not EV, but is GV and apparently signifies the reigning monarch at that time who was King George V. So the rifle was proofed in the UK while he was the King & around 1922/1923.

My belief therefore is that this rifle was indeed manufactured in 1922.