Steyr Model 1903 Mannlicher Shoenauer 6.5×54 MS 22″ Bolt Action Rifle C&R
Sold For: $2,032
LSB#: 200728GC29
Make: Oesterreichische Waffenfabrik- Gesellschaft Steyr
Model: 1903 Mannlicher Schoenauer
Serial Number: 22751
Year of Manufacture: 1903-1924, C&R
Caliber: 6.5x54mm Mannlicher Schoenauer
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Internal Rotary Magazine
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked “MADE IN AUSTRIA / Patent / Mannlicher / Schoenauer / M1903”. The left side of the receiver is marked “OESTERR WAFFENFABRIK-GES STEYR” and has a proof. The top of the chamber is marked “MADE / IN / AUSTRIA”. The left side of the chamber is marked “NOT ENGLISH MAKE” and has proofs. The right side of the receiver, the right side of the chamber, and underside of the bolt handle are marked with the serial number. The bottom of the bolt plug and front face of the safety are both marked “51”. The top of the bolt handle has a proof. The bottom of the barrel is marked “GUNSHOP INC LANCASTER CA”. The belly of the stock is marked with markings wee cannot decipher.
Barrel Length: Approximately 22 1/2”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a small beaded dovetailed into a finely checkered ramped base that is fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” notched leaf with a flip-up “V” notch leaf behind it which is marked “300”. The sight assembly is dovetailed into a barrel band. The top of the receiver has two empty drilled and tapped holes. The left side of the receiver has a pair of drilled, tapped, and filled holes and another pair that is empty.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one-piece checkered walnut with a capped pistol grip, cheekpiece, monte carlo comb, shotgun-style metal buttplate, and sling swivels front and rear. The monte carlo comb is an aftermarket addition to the stock and the seam lines are easily observed. The stock has been bedde by a previous owner. There are some scattered draglines, compressions, a few little scrapes. The defects are most noticeable on the bottom of the forend, and sides of the butt. The LOP measures approximately 14 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the serrated buttplate. The buttplate has a hinged door that reveals storage compartments. The buttplate has finish loss, some scratches, light scabbing, and a bit of light erosion. Overall, the stock is in about Fine condition as modified.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is deep and sharp and there is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning on the edges. The receiver has some nicks and some little scratches, the scratches are most noticeable on the left side at the rear. The barrel has some scattered scuffs, rubs, draglines, a few nicks, and a few scrapes. The scrapes are most noticeable on the bottom. The barrel has some rubs which have taken on a light discoloration. The barrel has finish loss and pinprick erosion at the muzzle. The bottom metal assembly has some scuffs, a few spots of light frost, and thinning. The front stock screw appears aftermarket. The screw heads range from sharp to slightly disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: 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 as 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 M-S and the bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. The rifle is in about Very Good overall condition with about 87% of its finish remaining. This is a nice-looking rifle built with typical German-Austrian craftsmanship just after the turn of the century. This rifle has had some aftermarket modifications performed like the monte carlo comb, bedding job, and drilled and tapped holes but is ready to go shooting and be every bit the performer it was when it left the factory! Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable? (THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS): This C&R rifle CAN be transferred in California. All C&R firearms must be transferred through your local dealer OR at our Simi Valley location; we cannot ship directly to a C&R holder in California. Out of state residents can disregard this section – your local laws apply.
