Mannlicher Schoenauer Rifle Serial Numbers

 

Mannlicher

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. Steyr Mannlicher Schoenauer 7x57 Custom GI#: 101557025 ON LAYAWAY THRU 12/2/20 Single trigger rifle, probably a 1952 (markings removed SN 24xxx), with custom scope mounts and custom scope safety. Rebarreled in the UK with modern proof marks, cal 7.Click for more info. MANNLICHER SCHOENAUER. Location: Steyr, Austria. Model 1956 Carbine Model 1961 MCA Rifle Model 1961 MCA Carbine. Key to the Mannlicher-Schoenauer's action was its detachable, rotary-style 'spool' magazine, shown here loaded with 6.5 mm M-S cartridges containing their characteristically long projectiles.

​A Mannlicher Introduction

Mannlicher-Schoenauers and their proprietary cartridges have lived in a world of song and story since 1903, and they are still going strong today as can be discerned by the advent of the .376 Steyr in the 1990s and the addition of the impressive .450 Marlin to the product line in the early 2000s. Traditional interest remains high concerning the 6.5x54mm Mannlicher-Schoenauer of 1903, the 8x56mm Mannlicher-Schoenauer of 1908, and the 9.5x57mm Mannlicher-Schoenauer of 1910, even in this day of high velocity ammunition, new stubby magnums and high intensity cartridges. So, what is the mystique of the Mannlicher that keeps these 110 year old firearms in the sporting interest? A writer can launch himself into page upon page of superlatives, legends, old hunting tales, personalities, and notorieties, such as Bell, Taylor, Stigand, Hemingway, and Sheldon, but, the mission of describing the mystique of the Mannlicher remains elusive, for there will always be one more incident, one more person, or one more characteristic to describe and discuss. After all, with so many years to develop an intense following from a world often populated with intense and energetic people, the chance for a specific firearm to gain a famous and peculiar niche in history is only natural.
This commentary is not intended to be a historical account of the Mannlicher-Schoenauer (M-S) and Steyr-Mannlicher (S-M) cartridges, but rather a listing of the cartridges chambered for these rifles and a description of the assorted models for information purposes, nor does this writer profess to describe every variation of these Steyr rifles and carbines, as the factory continually produced uncatalogued limited production runs for special customers. Various models of commercial Mannlicher-Schoenauer rifles and carbines were officially manufactured at the Steyr factory in Austria from 1900 to 1968, with clean up production adding approximately two years (1969 and 1970) of additional production to the noted manufacture dates. It may be argued that the origination dates should be extended into the early 1890s, as far as cartridges go, for the 6.5x53mmR, rimmed, was indeed the first of the famous 6.5mm Mannlicher rounds to be sold commercially. However, these earlier rifles did not utilize the rotary magazine for which the Mannlicher-Schoenauer and Steyr-Mannlicher firearms are famous.
What then, are the “Mannlicher-Schoenauer” cartridges? The pure Mannlicher-Schoenauer proprietary cartridges as chambered in the firearms of the SteyrWerke are as follows, (1) 6.5x54mm M-S of 1903, (2) 9x56mm M-S of 1905, (3) 8x56mm M-S of 1908, (4) 9.5x56mm M-S of 1910 (more on the names of this cartridge in its own section.) Other cartridges that are reputed to be Mannlicher, such as the 9.3x57mm, 10.75x57mm and 10.75x68mm, are more likely Mauser developments and rarely if ever seen in the M-S or S-M. The 9.3x57mm and 10.75x57mm being mentioned largely because some sources believe they were once Steyr cartridges, although specimens of such rifles have yet to emerge.
The total listing of known chamberings for M-S and S-M is given in Table 1, with an additional list of chamberings for the pre-M-S style firearms of 1890s vintage. Please note that this listing may not be all inclusive, as new chamberings for all models continue to appear, some catalogued and some uncatalogued.
Now to examine the Mannlicher-Schoenauers and their cartridges. The original 6.5mm examples are interesting because of the difference and compatibility of the same. The 6.5x53.5mm Rimmed and the 6.5x54mm are the only example of a rimmed and rimless cartridge being loaded to the same performance level, something that probably explains the use of the 6.5mm Rimmed by explorers such as Charles Sheldon well into the twentieth century, when the more modern rimless 6.5x54mm was already well established. Somehow, I don’t believe that modern power or design ever entered into Sheldon’s mind. He wanted performance and CHEAP, and the 6.5x53.5mm rimmed gave both to him, there is no accounting for taste! On the other side of the coin, the 6.5x54mm was widely accepted by the hunting establishment when they discovered the potency of the long nosed 160 grain FMJ bullets when used upon dangerous game. Of course, a large part of this success was also related to the changes in firearms, marksmanship, and hunting styles as well. The changeover from big bore black powder arms, to the modern small bore power house rounds like the .375 H&H and the .416 Rigby was tantamount to a complete changing of the rules in Africa and India, with the highly effective Mannlicher successfully hanging on to the coat tails of the larger bore cartridges. The main feature of the Mannlicher was that the users of the Mannlicher had to be excellent marksmen to achieve the goals they wanted. The professionals, and indeed, these men were professional, did achieve their goals with the 6.5x54mm Mannlicher.
Going past the 6.5x54mm, one starts to find another set of examples. The 8x56mm made a very successful image of itself in what a North American hunter would describe as a woods rifle, a bolt action .30-30 Winchester, and it did this work in both North America and in Europe. There’s not a lot to say about the 8x56mm, except that it was, and is, a superb deer rifle cartridge.
The M1905 rifle in 9x56mm is another case. A rifle designed for heavier European game, although its use was just too insular to become a world class player. Instead, the 9x56mm seems to have been a popular Austrian item, with little service outside of that zone.
The 9.5x56mm (9.5x57mm) provided another peculiar case. It is also known in England as the .375 Rimless Nitro Express 2 1/4, .375 Mannlicher and 9.5mm Mannlicher, but wait, there is another cartridge called the .375 Mannlicher Rimmed which is entirely different and made for the M1895 Sporting Mannlichers, just to muddy the waters a bit. Somehow this M1910 Mannlicher-Schoenauer became a de rigor firearm in a proper African safari suite of weapons. It was not an all around choice like a 9.3x62mm which was indeed its running mate in those early African days, but the rifles were light weight and inexpensive, which endeared them to the hunting fraternity. The 9.5mm could take any of the popular plains game antelope, and possibly a Lion if the shooter was proficient, and lucky. You can pick out the 9.5mm Mannlichers in the old movies by looking for the mannlicher stocked rifle with the BIG hole in the muzzle. They just stand out that way.
Finally, the pre WWII Mannlicher-Schoenauer tops its chamberings with a Mauser product, the 10.75x68mm. I purchased one in 1972 and sold it off in 1974 because I could find no ammunition for it. A well-known gun dealer and often outspoken Mannlicher-Collector once even went on record that the M-S could never have been chambered in the cartridge. Too bad he did not explore the issue in more detail. The MCA archives have photos of a 10.75x68mm Model 1910 in Australia, and another has been reported floating about in collections in the Pacific Northwest. You can also see them for sale in the European version online gun auctions. See the Mannlicher characteristics section for a complete listing of catalogued chamberings.
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The Zephyr
This is the very classic .22 long rifle version of the Mannlicher family, cataloged from 1954 to 1969, but don't look for it in The Shooter's Bible under any listing as a Zephyr. It was cataloged as the Steyr Custom .22 Carbine. As .22 rifles go, there is hardly a more comfortable or more accurate sporting .22 sporter than the Zephyr. Unfortunately, they arrived on the market to compete against Winchester and Remington rifles selling for far less, not to mention the H&Rs and Mossbergs of the day, thus the Zephyr is quite rare in the USA, and if you lose a magazine you are going to pay most dearly for a replacement, if ever you find one. Once the shooter does have the opportunity to handle and shoot a Zephyr, they are then stricken with a terrible case of 'I gotta have one!', it's a sad state of affairs. Fortunately Steyr introduced the Zephyr II line a few years ago in case you cannot get one of the old ones.

​Date of Manufacture

Many people have contacted us to find out when their rifle was made. For Post WW-II models it is very easy. The number marked on the barrel and receiver in line with the proof marks is the two digit year of manufacture. For Pre WW-II models it is more difficult.
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Here is a link to some excerpts from TMC newsletters that hopefully will help you identify when your rifle was made.

​About Mannlicher Links

​Mannlicher Gallery

World famous Kynoch ammunition in various Mannlicher calibers. The British were very fond of Mannlicher rifles. Note the two bottom boxes are for rimmed and rimless chamberings. The Mannlicher being rimmed and the Mannlicher Schönauer being the rimless variety.

Mannlicher-Schoenauer Improved Model 1952 Deluxe Carbine

By the Guns and Shooting Online Staff


Mannlicher-Schoenauer Model 1952 Deluxe Carbine. Photo by Chuck Hawks.

Regular Guns and Shooting Online readers probably realize that the classic Mannlicher-Schoenauers are among our favorite rifles and the Carbines are our favorite M-S models. They are so beautifully manufactured and finished, not to mention extremely accurate, it would be hard for any serious rifleman not to appreciate their quality and performance.

Many Mannlicher-Schoenauer aficionados consider the Improved Model 1952 (as it was officially known) to be the premier M-S sporting rifle. Heavily influenced by the US distributor, Stoeger Arms Corporation, the Improved Model 1952 was the last M-S with a straight comb stock. Its features included the absence of the military inspired stripper clip cuts in the receiver, steel safety lever at the right rear of the receiver (in addition to the traditional wing safety at the rear of the bolt) and swept-back bolt handle.

Improved Model 1952 carbines were offered in calibers .257 Roberts, 6.5x54mm M-S, .270 Winchester, 7x57mm Mauser, .308 Winchester (new 1953) and .30-06 Springfield. Full length rifles were also available in 9.3x62mm. The 6.5x54 came with an 18-1/4 inch barrel, the other calibers with a 20 inch barrel. Of these, the .257, 6.5x54 and 7x57 are our particular favorites, because they are highly effective hunting cartridges and their moderate recoil and muzzle blast make them particularly suitable for use in a carbine.

Our copyright 1954 Stoeger Shooter's Bible shows the Improved Model 1952 Carbine's list price as $205.75. This seems absurdly low by modern standards for a rifle with a full length European walnut stock, carved cheekpiece, hand checkering, high luster bluing, contoured barrel, mirror polished bore, adjustable trigger, rotary magazine, controlled feeding, timed screws, hand fitted and polished action. However, bear in mind that same year a Winchester Model 70 Super Grade rifle carried a $179.45 list price.

In addition to standard grade rifles and carbines, Mannlicher-Schoenauers were available in Deluxe and Super Deluxe grades from 1952-1955. Custom guns, made to measure, were also available to special order. These high grade M-S rifles and carbines are seldom seen and naturally command high prices on the used market today. In 1954, the Deluxe Carbine that is the subject of this article carried a list price of $245.75, or only about a 20% premium for a hand engraved rifle with upgraded walnut. Those were the days!

Deluxe receiver engraving. Photo by Chuck Hawks.

M-S Deluxe models were advertised as featuring unusually fine, select grained walnut. Light English style scroll engraving was found on the receiver, bolt, bolt release, magazine floor plate, bottom tang, trigger guard and all screws. This hand engraving was very well executed on our rifle; we were impressed.

Deluxe magazine floor plate engraving. Photo by Chuck Hawks.

Stoeger summarized the Deluxe model this way, 'Where a man not only wants the finest in a firearm, but also something which he can enjoy as a thing of unusual beauty, we offer the Deluxe model.' Today, M-S Deluxe Carbines are so rare that four hours of online research for this article failed to find even one for sale. Fjestad's mentions the Deluxe models, but does not include prices for them.

The example featured in this article was discovered at an estate sale. The deceased owned an extensive firearms collection and Guns and Shooting Online Gunsmithing Editor Rocky Hays was enlisted to help evaluate the collection, which included several M-S rifles, including this Deluxe 7x57mm Carbine.

Mannlicher

The Mannlicher-Schoenauer action

The Mannlicher-Schoenauer action has been described in previous articles, but for those who are not regular G&S Online readers we will review it here. If you are familiar with the M-S action, feel free to skip down to 'Specifications.'

The M-S is a cock on opening, controlled feed, turn bolt action with dual front locking lugs. Bolt rotation is approximately 90-degrees.

The extractor is a large claw mounted at the right front of the bolt, while the sliding ejector is mounted at the front left side of the bolt. The ejector flips the fired case clear of the action when it contacts the husky bolt stop in the left side of the split rear receiver ring. The force of ejection depends on how hard and fast the bolt is operated, so fired cases can be thrown well clear of the action or deposited gently in the hand, as desired.

The M-S controlled feeding system is completely different from the familiar Mauser 98 system. The machined M-S extraction/ejection parts are smaller, tidier and probably stronger. As with a Model 98 Mauser, cartridges should normally be fed from the magazine, not single loaded directly into the chamber, although the extractor is beveled enough to allow it to over-ride the rim of a chambered cartridge if the bolt is closed smartly.

The Schoenauer rotary magazine is easily removed, without tools. Depress the recessed, steel button with a cartridge tip (or something similar) and rotate the magazine floor plate 90 degrees, then lift the magazine out.

Mannlicher Schoenauer 1950

It holds five standard diameter (7x57mm in this case) cartridges and is loaded from the top, through the receiver's generous ejection port. Load in a straight line downward, not in staggered fashion as with a Mauser type box magazine. The rotary magazine's design positively retains each cartridge in place, preventing the battering of bullet tips due to recoil.

Cartridges are fed from directly below the bolt in a straight line for optimum feeding reliability. Schoenauer rotary magazines are machined for a specific cartridge, in this case 7x57 Mauser. They are not 'one size fits all.'

A button at the top right side of the receiver's ejection port allows ejecting all of the cartridges from the magazine at once. Depressing the button allows the rotary magazine to spin backward, ejecting the cartridges from the ejection port.

The bolt release is a convenient lever at the left rear of the receiver. Bolt disassembly can be accomplished without tools, merely by removing the bolt from the receiver and turning the cocking piece.

Mannlicher-Schoenauers were known as, 'The Gentleman's Rifle' for a reason. All screws, even on standard models, were indexed and this was done throughout the entire production life of M-S rifles and carbines. The barreled action, including the bolt, wears a highly polished, blued external finish, while the interior of the stepped barrel is hand lapped to a mirror finish.

All models came with a flat 'butter knife' bolt handle that was located forward of the trigger guard. This was due to the design of the action, which has a split rear receiver ring through which the bolt handle passed as it was drawn back. This mostly eliminated the bolt wobble that plagued Mauser 98 pattern actions.

However, the split rear receiver ring was to cause trouble later, when the use of telescopic sights became widespread, as it prevented the use of conventional scope mounts on top of the receiver. Scoped M-S 1952 Carbines are usually fitted with side mounts, of which there were several available.

Our Deluxe came with a Paul Jaeger side mount that is rigid, detachable and extremely cleverly designed. It holds the scope low and centered over the top of the receiver.

The buyer had the option of an externally adjustable double set trigger, or an internally adjustable single trigger. (Stock removal is required to adjust the single trigger.) The double set trigger was the more popular option and this is how our Deluxe is equipped.

The set trigger is externally user adjustable for pull by means of a screw and we set ours for the maximum pull weight, which turned out to be 1.5 pounds per our RCBS trigger scale. (The set trigger can be adjusted so light the weight of the trigger itself will fire the rifle if the muzzle is pointed up!)

Like all M-S rifles, there is a wing safety at the back of the bolt that blocks the striker. Mounting a scope blocks this safety, so the Model 1952 also has a scope friendly, two position 'shotgun' safety at the right rear of the receiver.

The front receiver ring and the top of the striker wear very fine stippling to break-up light reflections that might interfere with using the open sights. Both the front and rear sights are dovetail mounted, allowing great latitude for drift windage adjustment. Index marks allow centering both the front and rear sights.

The open rear sight has a low, fixed blade and a taller, folding blade, which is all the elevation adjustment provided. The taller of the two rear sight leaves is marked '300,' supposedly indicating yards/meters.

Mannlicher-Schoenauers were supplied with European walnut stocks that do not need slenderizing. The fore end and pistol grip are oval in cross section and petite in circumference. The three panel, hand checkering wraps around the forearm on both standard and Deluxe models.

The hand finished stock incorporates a shadow line cheek piece, fluted comb and a moderately curved pistol grip with a black cap. There is a grooved, black bakelite butt plate. 1.0 inch sling swivels are supplied.

Specifications

  • Model: 1952 Deluxe Carbine
  • Caliber: 7x57mm
  • Magazine capacity: 5
  • Barrel length: 20 in.
  • Trigger: Adjustable double Set
  • Metal finish: High luster blue
  • Sights: Dual leaf 'U' notch rear, hooded bead front; removable side plate for scope mounting
  • Safeties: Bolt wing and receiver mounted 'shotgun' type
  • Stock: Full length, select European walnut
  • Stock finish: Hand-rubbed oil
  • Weight: Approx. 7 lbs. (empty)
  • Overall length: 40.5 in.
  • Country of origin: Austria
  • 1954 MSRP: $245.75

Finding a Riflescope

Our Deluxe Carbine came with a low Paul Jaeger scope mount, but no riflescope. Scopes were very different in the early 1950s. In particular, they typically had much smaller objective and ocular bells and the Jaeger scope mount on our test rifle was designed for such scopes, rather than the bloated models popular today. We were unable to find a modern riflescope with an ocular bell of sufficiently petite diameter to clear the bolt handle when the bolt was cycled.

Fortunately, we had an old Bushnell Sportview 3-9x32mm variable that we had pulled from another rifle. This inexpensive scope barely cleared the bolt handle, but it worked, so we went with it.

As it turned out, the Sportview's windage and elevation adjustments worked properly and the optics were entirely adequate, as long as the magnification was not increased above about 4.5x. Above that level, the optical clarity rapidly degraded, which is typical of vintage zoom optics. Fixed power 4x scopes were the best sellers when this rifle was manufactured, so we set the Sportview to 4x and left it there for all of our test shooting. 4x magnification is, in fact, appropriate for almost all big game hunting.

Mannlicher Schoenauer 1952 Serial Numbers

Shooting the M-S Deluxe

This Deluxe Carbine is a collectors' rifle, but we believe fine things (and especially fine firearms) should be used. High grade Mannlicher-Schoenauer rifles were meant to be used and enjoyed.

Mannlicher Schoenauer Scope Mount

Consequently, we looked forward to getting the Deluxe Carbine to the range. We did our shooting at the Izaak Walton rifle range south of Eugene, Oregon. This outdoor range offers target stands at 25, 50, 100 and 200 yards and covered bench rests. Guns and Shooting Online staff members Chuck Hawks, Rocky Hays, Jim Fleck and Bob Fleck were present to shoot the M-S Deluxe.

After optical bore sighting, we refined the rifle's zero at 25 yards. This took only three rounds to accomplish. We then moved back to 100 yards for final zeroing and to see what this Deluxe carbine could do. As usual with centerfire rifles, we fired three shot groups, allowing the barrel to cool between groups.

For most of our 100 yard shooting we used a Lead Sled DFT and Redfield Precision Sight-in targets. We also fired a few groups using just a Caldwell sand bag for support.

The factory loaded hunting ammunition we use for our personal 7x57 rifles is the Hornady Custom load using a 139 grain BTSP bullet at a muzzle velocity of 2700 fps. Since this is the ammo we had on hand, it is what we used in the little Mannlicher.

From the very beginning this rifle shot tight groups. The average three shot group size was about 1-1/16 inches, but half of our groups were under one inch at 100 yards. This is superb performance, especially for a carbine manufactured in the early 1950s. The Deluxe actually out-shot a new Weatherby Mark V Sporter we were reviewing at the same time.

Mannlicher Schoenauer Rifle Serial Numbers For Sale

The Mannlicher's accuracy can be attributed primarily to a beautifully made barrel and the superb double set trigger that makes accurate shooting easy. A super clean 1.5 pound trigger certainly makes it easier for experienced shooters to get the most out of a hunting rifle!

The 7x57 is a relatively mild, although potent, cartridge. Its moderate recoil and muzzle blast allows shooters to do their best work. Although slender and compact in overall length, the M-S Carbine is not particularly lightweight. With a sling, Bushnell Sportview scope and mount it weighs 8 pounds 5.3 ounces (empty). We enjoyed shooting the rifle directly from the shoulder, without the Lead Sled.

As is typical of classic Mannlicher sporting rifles, the Model 1952 Carbine feeds very reliably from its Schoenauer spool magazine. It is also easy to load and unload. We wish that all bolt action rifles could incorporate this superior magazine system.

The M-S action has a comparatively slow lock time by modern standards, but that is more of a theoretical, rather than practical, consideration. The sling swivels are of the permanent type, installed by the factory, rather than the detachable sling swivel studs common today.

The handling of Mannlicher-Schoenauer Carbines is legendary. The short overall length and slender stock design definitely contribute to fast handling and sure pointing, as does the little gun's excellent balance. It is a rifle designed to be fired offhand.

Mannlicher Schoenauer Rifle Serial Numbers Diagram

The Mannlicher-Schoenauer bolt action is the smoothest ever made and even when fully retracted there is very little bolt wobble. It is the only bolt action we know of that will close and lock itself if the muzzle of an empty rifle with an open bolt is swung down to point at the ground while the trigger is held back.

Mannlicher Schoenauer Rifle Serial Numbers Chart

This is partly because of the outstanding workmanship put into these rifles and partly because the Schoenauer spool magazine does not drag against the bolt, as does the follower in the box magazine of a Mauser style rifle. As we commented in an earlier M-S review, shooting a classic M-S rifle transports one to an earlier, more gracious age.