Mannlicher Characteristics
|
Model |
Calibers |
Bolt Type |
Safety |
Stock Type |
Butt Type |
| Pre WWII 1900-1939 |
|||||
| 1900 | 6.5x54mm MS | Round Knob | Wing | carbine, rifle, and takedown | steel plate with trap |
| 1903 | 6.5x54mm MS | Straight Butterknife | " | carbine, rifle, and takedown | steel plate with trap |
| 1905 | 9x56mm MS | " | " | carbine, rifle, and takedown | steel plate with trap |
| 1908 | 8x56mm MS | " | " | carbine, rifle, and takedown | steel plate with trap |
| 1910 | 9.5x56mm MS | " | " | carbine, rifle, and takedown | steel plate with trap |
| 1924/1925 | .30-06, 7x57, 7x64, 8x57JS, 8x60S, 9.3x62mm, 10.75x68mm | " | " | carbine, rifle, and takedown | steel plate with trap |
| Post WWII 1950-1970 US Market |
|||||
| 1950 | 6.5x54mm, .257Roberts, 270 WCF, .30-06 US | Straight Butterknife | Wing & Side | Carbine & Rifle | Plastic |
| 1950 Improved | 6.5x54mm, .257 Roberts, .270 WCF, .30-06, 9.3x62mm | Straight Butterknife | Wing & Side | Carbine & Rifle | Plastic |
| 1952 and M1952 Improved | 6.5x54mm, .6.5x57mm, 257 Roberts 7x57mm, .270 WCF,.308 .30-06, 9.3x62mm | Swept Back Butterknife | Wing & Side | Carbine & Rifle | Plastic |
| 1956 MC | .243 WCF, .244 Rem., .257 Roberts, 6.5x54mm, .280 Rem, 7x57mm, .270, .308, .30-06, .358 WCF, 9.3x62mm | Swept Back Butterknife | Wing & Side | High Monte Carlo, Rifle and Carbine | White Line Spacer |
| Magnum (1958) | .257 WBY, 6.5x68mm, (1958) .264 Win, 8x68mm, .338 Win., and .458 Win | Swept Back Butterknife | Wing & Side | High Monte Carlo (MC style) rifle only | White Line Spacer |
| 1961 MCA | .243 WCF, 6.5x54mm, 6.5x57mm, .270 WCF, 7x57mm,.280 Rem, .308 WCF,.30-06, .358 WCF, 9.3x62mm(Euro) | Swept Back Butterknife | Wing & Side Wing & Tang after 1964 |
Low Monte Carlo (MCA style) | White Line Spacer |
Notes
- In 1960-61 Stoeger listed a 1960 MC model with the same stock as the 1956. MC models are also observed with MCA series stocks.
- Pre-WWII Mannlicher-Schoenauers existed in three action lengths, small (1900, 1903), medium (1905, 1908, 1910) , and large (1924, 1925). Post WWII actions are of the M1924/25 standard size, or the M1958 magnum. The 1925 is also called the “High Velocity” model.
- In the Pre WWII era, catalogues offered an unlimited range of variables of made to order rifles and carbines. The best place to see this huge range of options is in the 1939 issue of Stoeger’s Shooter’s Bible.
- In the M1950, the 6.5x54mm returned with an 18.5 inch carbine barrel that remained standard for that caliber throughout the Post War production.
- The clip guides were removed during the transition from M1950 to the M1952, same changes apply to the swept back bolt handle. The so-called “GK” stock design was standard during the 1950-1952 series.
- In 1964-65 US market MCAs began to be drilled and tapped for Redfield scope mounts
- Early in the Post WWII production Steyr began to list the M-S as “available in 6.5mm”, which was taken in the USA to mean 6.5x54mm. In reality, the weapons were available in 6.5x54mm, 6.5x55mm, and 6.5x57mm. All of the 6.5x55mm and 6.5x57mm appear to be European products, blued bolts, but an US market example may turn up someday. The same problem was listed in the 7mm option, when really the 7x57mm and 7x64mm were available.
- Through out the MCA production run, European market “NO” models with straight handled blued bolts and “GK” style stocks were produced in assorted metric calibers (6.5x55, 6.5x57, 7x64, 8x57, 9.3x62) and some US calibers.The NO may also have been available in the MC serial number series.
- Although Mannlicher-Schoenauer production officially ceased in 1968, some examples have been observed with proofmarks indicating 1970 and later as the final year of assembly.
- For a serious case of confusion, see the Mannlicher-Schoenauer section of the Shooter’s Bible #53 of 1962. Therein are listed the 1961-MCA, 1960-MC, 1952-GK, Magnum, and Premier, all have differences. This situation continued until the 1965 issue.
- The only metric calibers offered to the US market after 1960 are 6.5x54mm, 7x57mm, 6.5x68mm, and 8x68mm. However, unofficially, the 6.5x55mm, 6.5x57mm, 7x64mm and 8x57mm were offered as USA special orders throughout Post War era production.
- During the M1950-M1952 series production run, Stoegers listed 18 variations of the Mannlicher-Schoenauer in their catalogues.
- The M1950 NO series was listed by Albrecht Kind as being offered in 6.5x54, 6.5x55, 6.5x57, 6.5x68, 7x57, 7x64, 8x57JS, 8x60S, 8x68, 9.3x62, .243, .244, .270, .280, .308, .30-06.
- The Model MC appears in catalogues as both 1956-MC, and 1960-MC
- It is possible that either the M1924 or the NO series included the 9.3x57mm chambering. No factory Mannlicher-Schoenauer in that caliber has been formally observed.
- World War II era production was marked “Made in Germany”, complete with German proof marks.
- The latest observed proof date for a post WWII Mannlicher-Schoenauer is 1971, with rumors of 1972.
- As a group, the Magnum models probably make up the bulk of the true rarities among Mannlicher-Schoenauers. Listed for 10 years, that model is number 5 in relative rarity, but, individual calibers will surely take the lead in overall rarity. Unfortunately, no reliable record has been forthcoming from Steyr to validate the actual numbers thereof. To witness, in a recent discussion (3/30/2010) the number of .257 Weatherby Magnums was commented on as being 125, 50, and less than ten. We were able to write off the number of "ten" by being able to note the existence of five of them in our recent knowledge. Likewise, magnums in .458 Winchester were a drag on the market several years ago. Most probably the actual production totals will never be revealed.
- Do not accept this listing as all inclusive of Mannlicher-Schoenauer factory chamberings. Others are known to exist in limited quantity. The same situation exists within the subsequent Steyr-Mannlicher series of 1968.
- In 1951 Stoeger requested various changes or improvements to the original Model 1950 M.S.. These included: an ebony fore arm tip on rifles, removal of the clip guides, the forend was made fuller and wider, left side of the stock cut out for dummy filler plate for side mount scope applications and the left side of the receiver flattened to facilitate a gunsmith mounting the side mount, the bolt handle was brought down closer to the side of the rifle which required slot cut in the right side of the stock, and the addition of the side safety. So these features would constitute the 1950 “Improved” model.
Then in 1952 the bolt handle was swept back, the cheek piece was hand carved (what we refer to as the shadow line as opposed to the pancake style) 1” sling swivels replaced the 3/4” ones, adding wood to the left side of the stock at the filler place as most mounting plates were thicker then the dummy side plate so to strengthen the stock.
When all of these modifications began to come through Stoeger requested that the receiver now be marked Model 1952. There was never a Model 1950 Improved, just a transition, the Model 1952 was the completion of the improvements. Obviously there are some M.S. marked Model 1950 with all the improvements of the 1952 but it took time to catch up in the receiver marking. Conversely there are some early 1952 receiver guns that do not have the shadow line hand carved cheek rest. In 53 Stoeger called it the Improved Model 1952.
So basically a Model 1950 marked rifle with some or all of the improvements requested in 1951 would be a M.1950 ‘Improved’, up to and including a swept bolt, shadow line cheek, and such. - The standard barrel length for the 1905, 1908 and 1910 was 50 cm (19.685”), longer barrels of 60cm (23.622”) were an option. 1903 model had a 47 cm (18.5") barrel.
Dissassembly of a full stock Mannlicher-Schoenauer
Remove the bolt by pressing the bolt stop on the left side of the receiver and pulling the bolt all the way clear.
Remove the magazine by pushing a wooden pencil against the hole in the aft end of the floor plate and rotating the floor plate 90 degrees
When you have the floor plate rotated, pull out on the magazine assembly and remove the magazine.
With a narrow screw driver, unscrew the screws that hold the trigger guard in place. Be sure to use screw drivers that match the slots in the screws!!!!
Rotate the trigger guard 90 degrees when removing the aft screw, then lift the trigger guard free. Under the trigger guard you gain access to the second action screw, the one at the rear end of the action, remove it, then go to the large action screw in front of the magazine.
The large action screw is removed as per any Mauser style receiver
Remove the forward sling swivel bail by unscrewing the bail from the stock
(A) Will have to remove the nose cap from the stock also. A very small screw and a very small piece. Be Very Careful here!!
Now, just tap the muzzle and all should fall out.
You have taken down your Mannlicher. Reassemble in reverse order.
Note, step (A) only applies to full stock examples. It is not necessary with a half stock rifle or carbine as neither has a nose cap.
Remove the magazine by pushing a wooden pencil against the hole in the aft end of the floor plate and rotating the floor plate 90 degrees
When you have the floor plate rotated, pull out on the magazine assembly and remove the magazine.
With a narrow screw driver, unscrew the screws that hold the trigger guard in place. Be sure to use screw drivers that match the slots in the screws!!!!
Rotate the trigger guard 90 degrees when removing the aft screw, then lift the trigger guard free. Under the trigger guard you gain access to the second action screw, the one at the rear end of the action, remove it, then go to the large action screw in front of the magazine.
The large action screw is removed as per any Mauser style receiver
Remove the forward sling swivel bail by unscrewing the bail from the stock
(A) Will have to remove the nose cap from the stock also. A very small screw and a very small piece. Be Very Careful here!!
Now, just tap the muzzle and all should fall out.
You have taken down your Mannlicher. Reassemble in reverse order.
Note, step (A) only applies to full stock examples. It is not necessary with a half stock rifle or carbine as neither has a nose cap.