Steyr 1903 Mannlicher Schoenauer 6.5×54 MS Bolt Action Rifle Scope C&R
SOLD FOR: $1575
LSB#: 210611TP44
Make: Steyr. Oesterreichische Waffenfabrik- Gesellschaft Steyr
Model: 1903 Mannlicher Schoenauer
Serial Number: 15130
Year of Manufacture: 1903-1924
Caliber: 6.5x54mm Mannlicher Schoenauer (6.5 M-S)
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Internal Rotary Magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is covered by the scope base. It should be marked “OESTERR. WAFFENFABR.-GES.STEYR”. Only the first letter “O” is visible. The right side of the barrel shank is marked with the serial number. The top of the receiver is marked “Patent / Mannlicher / Schoenauer / M1903”. The left side of the barrel shank is marked with an Austrian “NPv” smokeless proof mark and an Austrian “Eagle” Black Powder proof.
The scope is marked “WEAVER / KV 60 / EL PASO TEXAS / U.S.A. PAT’D”. The top of the scope mount is marked “GRIFFIN & HOWE INC. NEW YORK” and with patent info.
Barrel Length: Approximately 17 ¾ Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a steel bead set atop a ramped base. The rear sight is made up of 2 “V” notched blades. One blade is stationary and the other flips up to sight farther distances. The front blade is marked “300”.
A 2 piece Griffin & Howe scope base is mounted to the side of the receiver. It uses 2 compression levers. The upper mount holds the Weaver scope. The scope is 3 or 5 power. The rear knob selects the power setting. The power knob & adjustment knobs turn. The glass appears clear but is slightly dim. The scope rings & base show scuffs & light handling marks and are in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition. The scope tube shows scrapes, areas of discoloration from oxidation, and a few scratches. Overall the scope is in about Very Good condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The wood stock has hand checkering and a raised cheek piece. The wood shows several scrapes & scratches. Some of these marks have damaged small portions of the finish and/or surface wood. These marks have been oiled over. The buttplate shows scrapes & light surface erosion. The LOP measures 14 ½ inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock is in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The lands are bright. The muzzle & grooves are light grey. There is fouling and intermittent light erosion in the grooves and at the muzzle.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 88% of its metal finish.The metal shows scrapes & small scratches. The barrel and trigger guard show light surface erosion. The screw heads show light use. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with a scope assembly; see above. The rifle has a 4 piece cleaning rod stored in the butt. It is about Very Good Plus condition.
Our Assessment: This Steyr 1903 Mannlicher Schoenauer comes with a scope assembly that consists of a 2 piece Griffin & Howe mount and a Weaver scope. The rifle and scope are in good shape for their age.
The Mannlicher-Schoenauer rifle dates to 1903 when the 6.5x54mm cartridge and both military and civilian rifles to shoot it were introduced. Austria and Greece adopted the 1903 military rifle and the 6.5×54 cartridge that same year. The 1903 Mannlicher rifles and carbines were the last designs of Ferdinand Ritter Von Mannlicher, who died the next year, and his friend Otto Schönauer who designed the exceptional rotary drum magazine intrinsic to all Mannlicher-Schoenauer rifles. Mannlicher-Schoenauer rifles and carbines were exclusively manufactured at Oesterreichische Waffenfabrik Gesellschaft Steyr in Steyr, Austria. The Model 1903 rifle was the first of the famous M-S Rifles and Carbines and it established the basic design of all the models that were to follow. The rifles were equipped with flat “butter knife” bolt handles and rotary magazines. This rifle is chambered in 6.5x54mm Mannlicher Schoenauer.