Steyr Mannlicher-Schoenauer Model 1908 Carbine .30-06 SPRG Bolt Rifle, C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,150.00

WOA#: WY240508BR025

Make: Oesterreichische Waffenfabrik- Gesellschaft Steyr

Model: 1908 Mannlicher Schoenauer Carbine

Serial Number: 16452

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1939

Caliber: Originally chambered for 8x56mm Mannlicher-Schoenauer, the barrel has been re-chambered for .30-06 Springfield.

Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Internal Rotary Magazine and Double Set-Triggers

Markings: The left of the chamber has been marked “30 06”. The top of the chamber ring is marked “MADE IN AUSTRIA / KAL: 8 NORM.”, the right is marked “16452”. The left of the receiver is marked “OESTERR. WAFFENFABR. – GES. STEYR”. The bottom of the bolt handle is marked “16452”.

Barrel Length: 20”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade dovetailed to a checkered, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “U” notch with a folding “U”-notched leaf marked “300” dovetailed to a banded base at the rear of the barrel. Mounts have been installed on the chamber ring and the left-rear of the receiver for a quick-detach scope with a Hensoldt Wetzlar Diatal 4x scope installed with German post reticle. The body has some scattered small marks, the glass is fairly clear but could use a good cleaning.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one-piece full-length checkered walnut with nosecap, capped pistol grip, straight comb, European-style cheekpiece, sling swivels front and rear, and a serrated steel buttplate with a door over a storage compartment (there is nothing in the compartment. The stock has several scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are a few more notable scrapes and dings. There is a repaired chip at the toe. The checkering is generally well defined. The LOP measures 14 1/4″ and 13 1/4″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some wear and surface oxidation, most notable at the heel, with well defined serrations. The stock rates in Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: The receiver finish appears Original. The barrel has been refinished.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some minor erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7 or 8 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. The most notable finish wear is on the trigger guard and toward the muzzle-end on the barrel and nosecap. There is infrequent minor surface oxidation. There are some minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the chamber-ring markings are interrupted by the scope mount. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good condition as re-chambered.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has a Mauser style safety on the back of the bolt which blocks the trigger and locks the bolt. The rifle has a rotary magazine with a push-button release on the right side of the receiver at the port. There is a bolt release on the left rear of the receiver. 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: This rifle comes with the installed scope.

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. 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. There were a number of variations, most being differentiated by chambering, and the basic design was in use well into the post-war era. This rifle is a Model 1908, essentially the same design as a 1903 but chambered in 8x56mm M-S. This rifle has been re-chambered for the more common .30-06 Springfield cartridge.

When the rifle was re-chambered, it appears that the barrel was refinished, removing the Austrian proof marks. We were able to find another 1908 Carbine with a very close serial number that was proofed in 1939. The rifle is in Very Good overall condition retaining much of its metal finish, a decent bore, and strong mechanics. This is a nice-looking rifle built with typical German-Austrian craftsmanship during the inter-war years. It has provision for a claw-style quick-detach scope with a Hensoldt Wetzlar 4x scope with post reticle installed, about as stereotypically Austrian as a sporting rifle can get. This rifle would be a nice addition to any collection of Germanic bolt action sporting rifles. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud