The Mannlicher-Schönauer Model 1952 Carbine

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Mannlicher Schoenauer Rifle Serial Numbers. 8/21/2017 0 Comments Steyr daimler puch mannlicher schoenauer model 61 mca.243 win bolt action rifle with scope. Mannlicher Schoenauer Rifle S Series Of Numbers; The Mannlicher-Schoenauer is a strong action but not quite equal to the Model 98 Mauser. Yet beneath the chops and changes, the splayed head of the flat bolt handle at the middle of the rifles receiver and rotary magazine identified it as a Mannlicher-Schoenauer. The serial number on the gun is 9857 and the serial number on the scope is 6581. (This is an original M-S in 6.5x54 with the original Zeiss Zeilvier 4x scope in claw mounts. ) Once I got the gun apart I did not find the date code (or at least the date code in the form I expected to find it.).

By the Guns and Shooting Online Staff

'The World's FinestRifle' was introduced in 1903 and manufactured without fundamental changeuntil 1971. The action was designed by Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher and thefamous spool magazine by Otto Schönauer. The Model 1903 military model wasadopted as the standard service rifle of Austria and Greece, chambered for the6.5x54mm M-S cartridge. Model 1903 civilian versions were offered as rifles orcarbines. Rifles came with typical sporting rifle half-stocks and23.5' barrels, while carbines were supplied with slender full lengthstocks and 17.7' barrels. Throughout its long production life Steyr ofAustria owned the rights to manufacture the rifle.

The 1903 Carbine was manufacturedonly in 6.5x54 caliber and became the inspiration for what are today known as'mountain rifles.' Its full length stock gave rise to the term'Mannlicher stock,' which is still used today to describe a sportingrifle with a full length stock.

There were numerous detail changes,including the shape of the buttstock, over the years. These changes accounted for thevarious models, which included the pre Second World War Models 1903, 1905, 1908,1910 and 1924 (High Velocity Sporting Rifle). There was a gap in the productionof Mannlicher-Schoenauer sporting rifles extending from the late 1930's to1950, due to Adolf Hitler and World War II. Post war models included the Model1950, Model 1952, Model 1956-MC, Magnum Rifle and Model 1961-MCA.

The signature Mannlicher-Schoenauercartridge was always the 6.5x54mm, but over the years the rifle was also chambered for manyother cartridges. The early actions were sized to the 6.5x54mm cartridge and were not longenough to accommodate the Mauser '57mm' cartridges (7x57, 8x57, etc.)or the even longer .30-06 Springfield and its descendents. As these became thedominant sporting cartridges around the world, the M-S action was lengthened toaccommodate them, hence the Model 1924, introduced in 1925 as the High Velocity Rifle.

The rifle that is the subject of this article is a Model 1952 Carbine in .270 WinchestercaIiber. In the U.S., Stoeger Arms Corporation was the official Mannlicher-Schoenauer importer and Steyr worked closely with Stoeger to produce rifles suitable for the American market. OurCarbine is marked, reading from front to back, 'Made in Austria / Original / Mannlicher / Schoenauer / Mod. 1952 / Kal. .270' in six lines on the top of the front receiverring. The right side of the front receiver ring is stamped with the serial number, as are the right rear side of the barrel andthe underside of the bolt handle. 'Stoeger Arms Corporation New-York SoleU.S. agents' is stamped in a circle on the bottom of the magazine floorplate, above a small Steyr logo. The left front of the receiver and left rear sideof the barrel show proof marks and the left side of the receiver is stamped,'Steyr - Daimler - Puch A.G., Steyr' followed by the bullseye Steyr logo.

The Model 1952 was the last M-Swith a straight comb designed for use with open, iron sights. The comb is highand thin with quite a bit of drop at heel, in the European style. The Model1956-MC introduced a high Monte Carlo comb designed for use only withtelescopic sights. The final Mannlicher-Schoenauer, the Model 1961-MCA, wore alower, compromise Monte Carlo stock that was intended to allow the use ofeither the supplied iron sights or a scope. (A full review of a Model 1961-MCACarbine can be found on the Product Reviews index page.) Because of itstraditional style stock, absence of stripper clip receiver cuts, steel safetylever at the right rear of the action (which became a plastic tang safety onthe 1961-MCA), swept back bolt handle (introduced with the Model 1952) and availabilityin modern calibers, some Mannlicher-Schoenauer fans consider the Model 1952 tobe the apex of the sporting rifle series.

The Mannlicher-Schoenauer actionhas been described in previous articles, but we will review it here. The M-S isa cock on opening, controlled feed, turn bolt action with dual front lockinglugs. Bolt rotation is approximately 90-degrees. The extractor is a large clawmounted at the right front of the bolt, while the sliding ejector is mounted atthe front left side of the bolt. The ejector flips the fired case clear of theaction when it contacts the husky bolt stop in the left side of the split rearreceiver ring. The force of ejection depends on how hard and fast the bolt isoperated, so fired cases can be thrown well clear of the action or depositedgently in the hand, as desired.

The M-S controlled feeding system is completelydifferent from the familiar Mauser 98 system also used in Winchester Model 70,Kimber 84 and similar modern rifles. The machined M-S extraction/ejection partsare smaller, tidier and probably stronger, but more expensive to fabricate and fit. Aswith a Model 98 Mauser, cartridges should normally be fed from the magazine,not single loaded directly into the chamber, although the extractor is beveledenough to allow it to over-ride the rim of a chambered cartridge if the bolt isclosed smartly.

The Schoenauer rotary magazine is easily removed, without tools, for cleaning. It holds five .270 Winchester cartridges and is loaded from the top, through the receiver's generous ejection port. Its 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. These magazines are machined for a specific cartridge, in this case .270 Winchester only. A button at the top right side of the receiver's ejection port allows ejecting all of the cartridges from the magazine at once.

The bolt release is a convenientlever at the left rear of the receiver. Bolt disassembly can be accomplishedwithout tools, merely by removing the bolt from the receiver and turning thecocking piece. All screws, even the rear sling swivel screw, are indexed andthis was done throughout the entire production life of M-S rifles and carbines.The barreled action, including the bolt, wears a highly polished, bluedexternal finish, while the interior of the contoured barrel is hand lapped to amirror finish. After 1952, the bolt handle was polished and left in the white.

All models came with a flat'butter knife' bolt handle that was located well forward of thetrigger guard. This was due to the design of the action, which has a split rearreceiver ring through which the bolt handle passed as it was drawn back. Thismostly eliminated the bolt wobble that plagued the Mauser 98 action. However,the split rear receiver ring was to cause trouble later, when the use oftelescopic sights became widespread, as it prevented the use of conventionalscope mounts on top of the receiver. Scoped M-S Rifles and Carbines are usuallyfitted with side mounts or, later, the specially designed Redfield top mount.

The buyer had the option of anexternally adjustable double set trigger or an internally adjustable singletrigger. (Stock removal is required to adjust the single trigger.) The double set triggerwas the more popular option. The single and double set trigger models camewith different trigger guards. Our Model 1952 came with a single stage triggerthat was set to release at a clean four pounds, so we left it alone.

Like all M-S rifles, there is awing safety at the back of the bolt that blocks the striker. In addition, theModel 1952 has a scope friendly, two position 'shotgun' safety at theright rear of the receiver. The bolt's wing safety locks the bolt closed whenin the safe position; the receiver safety does not, allowing the magazine to beemptied with the safety on.

The front receiver ring and the topof the striker wear very fine stippling to break-up light reflections thatmight interfere with using the open sights. Both the front and rear sights aredovetail mounted, allowing great latitude for drift windage adjustment. Indexmarks allow centering both the front and rear sights. There is a second, hinged, taller rear sightblade, which is all the elevation adjustment provided.The taller of the two rear sight leaves is marked '300,' supposedly indicatingyards, but no load is specified.

Like many European sighting systems, a greatdeal of innocent ignorance on the part of the shooter is assumed by this vaguerange marking. We discovered at the rifle range that the lower rear sight leafput the 145 grain bullet from the Federal Fusion Light (low recoil) cartridges (MV2200 fps) that we were testing about 1.0' below the point of aim at 50yards, which is tolerable. The high (300) blade printed about 5.5' high at50 yards with this load.

Unlike almost all modern rifles,Mannlicher-Schoenauers were supplied with European walnut stocks that do notneed slenderizing. The forend and pistol grip are oval in cross section andpetite in circumference. The three panel, hand checkering is cut at around 20lines per inch and wraps around the forearm. The hand finished stockincorporates a shadow line cheek piece, fluted comb and a moderately curved pistol grip with a black cap. 1.0' sling swivels are supplied. Our test rifle'soriginal black butt plate was replaced by a ventilated, white line recoilpad for a rather short 13-1/4' length of pull. We used a PachmayrDecelerator slip-on pad to increase the length of pull to 14-3/8' duringour time at the range.

Specifications

·Type: Bolt action repeater

·Model: 1952 Carbine

·Caliber: .270 Winchester

·Magazine capacity: 5 cartridges

·Barrel length: 20'; hand lapped bore

·Trigger: Single stage, adjustable; 4 lb. pull

·Metal finish: High polished bluing

·Sights: Dual leaf 'U' notch rear, rampmounted silver front bead; removable side plate for side scope mounts

·Safety: Dual,

·Stock: Full length stock of European walnut w/cheekpiece; hand checkered with high luster oil finish

·Weight: Approx. 7 lbs. (empty)

·Overall length: 40.5'

·MSRP (1955): Standard grade $205.75; Deluxegrade $245.75; Super Deluxe grade $345.75

The standard grade M-S Carbine was generallyequivalent to a deluxe grade modern rifle. Special stock dimensions to ordercould be supplied on the standard Model 1952 for an additional charge of $35. Notwithout reason was the Mannlicher-Schoenauer known as the 'Gentleman'sRifle' and the 'World's Finest Rifle.' However, true high grade Mannlicher-Schoenauerrifles and carbines were available with factory engraving and stock carving inDeluxe, Super Deluxe and Custom grades (the latter to customer suppliedpatterns, including gold and silver inlays at extra cost). The Super Deluxegrade included essentially 100% engraving coverage on the receiver, magazinefloor plate, bolt handle and trigger guard.

The retail prices for these fine Mannlicher-Schoenauerrifles seem absurdly low by today's inflated standards. However, it should beremembered that in 1955 the Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in .270 calibercarried an MSRP of $120.95 and a Remington Model 721A was only $79.00. Thingswere different in the years immediately following the Korean War! TheThirty-Third Edition of Fjestad's BlueBook of Gun Values (the current edition as of this writing) quotes the usedprice of a Model 1952 Carbine as $2000 in 100% condition and $1300 in 95%condition.

The rapid increase in the cost ofmanufacturing Mannlicher-Schoenauer rifles throughout the 1950's and 1960'seventually drove the retail price above what the average shooter could affordand sales declined. After 1971, Steyr could no longer afford to produce traditionalMannlicher-Schoenauer rifles. Steyr still makes Mannlicher rifles, but they nolonger use the Schoenauer spool magazine or the action designed by FerdinandRitter von Mannlicher. They are good rifles with many modern improvements, butthey are not the same. (You can read a review of a modern Steyr Mannlicher FullStock Carbine on the Product Review Page.)

Anyone who has used a classicM-S rifle understands the appeal of this fine firearm. Its bolt action isthe smoothest ever made. It is the only bolt action we know of thatwill close and lock itself if themuzzle of an empty rifle with a open bolt is swung down to point at theground while the trigger is held back. This is partly because of theoutstanding workmanship put into these rifles and partly because the Schoenauerspool magazine does not drag against the bolt, as does the follower in the boxmagazine of a Mauser style rifle. Shooting one of these M-S rifles brings back echoesof an earlier, more gracious age.

Note: The review of this rifle, including shooting results, can be found on the Product Reviews page.

The Mannlicher–Schönauer (sometimes Anglicized as 'Mannlicher Schoenauer', Hellenized as Τυφέκιον/Όπλον Μάνλιχερ, Óplon/Tyfékion Mannlicher) is a type of rotary-magazinebolt-action rifle produced by Steyr Mannlicher for the Greek Army in 1903 and later was also used in small numbers by the Austro-Hungarian Army. It was the main rifle of the Hellenic Army during the first half of the 20th century. Post war use was for civilian use, such as hunting and target practice.

Design characteristics[edit]

In the late 19th century, the classic Mannlicher designs for the Austro-Hungarian army were based on the en-bloc magazine, a straight-pull bolt mechanism and were designed for obsolete large caliber cartridges. Following the introduction of smokeless powder in the Lebel rifle at the end of the century, the Steyr factory worked on new Mannlicher designs, using more effective modern cartridges. These were offered for the consideration of the Austro-Hungarian Army, for export to other armies and for the civilian market.

The Mannlicher–Schönauer rifle was one of these novel designs. The rifle action was designed by Ferdinand Mannlicher and the rotary magazine by his protégé Otto Schönauer of the Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft (Austrian Arms-Manufacturing Company; now Steyr Mannlicher). While the more famous Mannlicher M1895 used the less common straight-pull bolt, the Mannlicher–Schönauer had a conventional turn-bolt, more reminiscent of the Gewehr 88 and other typical military bolt-action rifles. At first sight many confuse it with a Mauser rifle, due to the similar bolt and handguards. The Mannlicher–Schönauer may be identified by the split in the rear of the receiver which allows the bolt handle to pass through, and double as an emergency locking lug when closed, in case of failure of the primary locking lugs. The characteristic that sets this design apart from others of the era though was the innovative Schönauer rotating spool magazine.

The original design, introduced at the World Fair as the Model 1900, allowed the development of either service or sport versions depending on market response. While small sporting concerns, such as William Evans of London, purchased actions for their rifles, only the Greek Army expressed interest in the design for military use. Their specifications may have dictated some of the rifle's characteristics. The Greek Army requested two main versions, one long rifle of 1230 mm (this length is the total length of the arm, not the barrel) length and a carbine of 950 mm (length of arm, not barrel) length for use by cavalry and non-infantry troops. Both types were termed Model 1903. The weight was around 3.75 kg, the magazine capacity was five rounds and was fed by a stripper clip system, or by single rounds if need arose. The 6.5×54mm MS cartridge had traits of a hunting round; even though it had a projectile with a rounded point, it was ballistically efficient, improving accuracy at moderate ranges. The rotary magazine contributed to the smooth feeding and high rate of fire without jamming. The rifle was manufactured to a high standard and was made with tight tolerances, raising costs but improving reliability and durability. The 1903 Mannlicher–Schönauer carbine's light recoil, familiar iron sights—similar to those of the Mannlicher M1895; graduated up to 2000 m—and its quick-handling properties brought it widespread praise.

Service history[edit]

The military Mannlicher–Schönauer was not commercially successful, in the sense that it did not attract many contracts for export. The unusual design and calibre, the high quality, high cost, and the fact that no major power adopted it, contributed to the results. Other foreign Mannlicher clients opted instead for versions of the issue rifle of Austria-Hungary, the M1895, or simpler turn-bolt rifles like the M1893 and the Dutch M1895. The Mannlicher–Schönauer M1903 though fulfilled the specifications of the Greek Army and the first major contract was signed by the Greek Government in 1903. This contract was part of a major modernisation plan; until then the Greeks were using single-shot, black powderGras rifles. Most of the Greek Gras were made by the Steyr factory and that might partly explain how Mannlicher advertised their new design.

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The Mannlicher–Schönauer rifle was the main small arm for the Greek military for some of the most active years of its modern history. Greece was almost continuously in state of war between the years 1904–1922 and 1940–1948. The version history of this rifle is rather confusing. It appears that the Greeks issued four main contracts. The original Steyr-made Y1903 ('Y' stands for model in Greek), started being supplied in 1906–07 to a total of about 130,000 long rifles and carbines. This was the main weapon during the victorious Balkan Wars of 1912–13

The Greeks seemed satisfied with the rifle's performance and their armoury was increased with a new batch of 50,000 rifles from Steyr in 1914, with the model Y1903/14, presenting minor improvements, most obviously the addition of a full handguard. These rifles were used for the first time in World War I. When the war broke out, the Austrians stopped the delivery of the rifles, as Greece chose to be neutral for the first three years.

Following the Asia Minor Campaign (1919–22), the Greeks were in urgent need of serviceable weapons and tried to get Mannlicher–Schönauer rifles from every possible source in order to replace war losses (almost 50% were captured by the Turks). Starting in 1927, Greece received about 105,000 'Breda' marked Y1903/14/27 rifles. This Italian factory might have used Austrian captured parts and machinery, or more likely, might have just mediated on behalf of the Steyr factory, due to treaty restrictions with the Austrian weapons manufacturer. These rifles saw extensive use against the Italians and Germans in World War II and many passed to the resistance fighters and thence to the combatants of the Greek Civil War that followed. The last official contract was in 1930, when they received 25,000 more Y1903/14/30 carbines, this time directly from the Steyr factory.

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Despite its good performance, it was only the Greek government that chose the Mannlicher–Schönauer as official service rifle. The Portuguese military also favored the Mannlicher–Schönauer, but it was deemed too expensive and the locally-designed Mauser-Vergueiro, which paired a bolt based on that of the Mannlicher–Schönauer with an action based on the Mauser 98, was adopted instead. However, due to expediency other countries made limited use of them too. At the outbreak of World War I, a significant number of 6.5 mm Mannlicher–Schönauer rifles manufactured for Greece under the 1914 contract were sequestered and, due to urgent needs, used by the Austrian Army. After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, these were passed on as war reparations to the original intended recipient, the Greek Army. Small numbers also saw occasional use by Greece's enemies as captured war booty, but mainly by reserve units.

Philippidis gun and Rigopoulos gun[edit]

The weapon was chosen instead of the Greek-designed 'Philippidis gun' ('Οπλον Φιλιππίδου), itself based on an earlier model of the same Austrian manufacturer, after intense lobbying against the Greek design in 1905. This caused a serious political crisis, with accusations about 'national treason' heard in the Greek Parliament.^[1] The Philippidis gun was officially approved for a 1925 order, but, again, the Mannlicher–Schönauer was produced (by Breda in Italy), due to (reportedly) late submission of the Greek designs to the Italian manufacturer and/or cost factors.^[1][2]

An improvement of the Mannlicher–Schönauer was designed by Lieutenant Rigas Rigopoulos during World War II (spring 1941), incorporating both modified and totally redesigned parts to enable automatic fire. Though approved by the Greek military to be produced in Volos, the improvement never went into production, due to Greece's invasion by the Germans.^[2][3]

Sporting use[edit]

A civilian version of the rifle, also introduced in 1903, proved very popular with deer and big game hunters worldwide. In the UK, along with the 7×57mm Mauser, the 6.5×54 MS probably accounted for more red deer during the 20th century than all other rifle cartridges put together.^{[citation needed]} British sportsmen generally preferred a single-trigger mechanism, rather than the double set triggers popular in Europe. The 6.5×54 cartridge fell into disfavour with British deer-stalkers after the passage of the 1963 Deer Act because the bullet's muzzle velocity failed to reach the legally required minimum when fired from typically short, carbine-type MS barrels. The rifle continued to be manufactured in various forms (full, half-stock and take-down models) until 1972, and although production was interrupted during the Second World War, it eventually re-commenced in 1950. The most significant modification to be made to the rifle, during its period of manufacture, was introduced in 1925 when the action was lengthened to accommodate such cartridges as the .30-06 Springfield, .243 Winchester (carbine models), and .270 Winchester. Additionally, a magnum length version was produced in .257 Weatherby Magnum,.264 Winchester Magnum, .338 Winchester Magnum and .458 Winchester Magnum for the U.S. market, as well as 6.5×68mm, 8×68mm S, and others for the world market. The rifle remains popular due to its aesthetic qualities, compactness, the smoothness of its action and its precision and quality of manufacture. The rifle is also known for its low recoil when chambered for the original 6.5×54 cartridge.

The early years of the 20th century saw what was fundamentally the same rifle being offered in various other, larger Mannlicher–Schönauer calibres including the 8×56mm Mannlicher–Schönauer Model 1908, the 9×56mm Mannlicher–Schönauer Model 1905 and the 9.5×57mm Mannlicher–Schönauer Model 1910, but none of these sold as well as the 1903 Model in 6.5mm.

Legendary American writer Ernest Hemingway frequently used the rifle, and mentions it in some of his writings, most notably The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber. WDM 'Karamojo' Bell, a prominent elephant (ivory) hunter in Africa in the early 20th century, also used the rifle in its original 6.5×54 chambering with considerable success. The ability of the diminutive 6.5×54 cartridge to take the largest and most dangerous of the big game species, such as African elephant and Cape Buffalo, was due in the main to the high sectional density of the 6.5mm projectiles used in the rifle, although precise placing of the shot was imperative. Because the original factory loads for the 6.5×54 used projectiles that were long and heavy (160 grains) relative to their diameter, they proved capable (in solid form) of very deep penetration through muscle and bone. This, coupled with the relatively low recoil of the fired cartridge, facilitated accurate shot placement into vital organs such as the heart and particularly the brain.

Steyr-Mannlicher currently manufactures a rifle known as the 'Classic Mannlicher', which it bills on its website as 'a direct descendant of the world famous MANNLICHER [sic] Schoenauer models'. In fact, this rifle is available in almost every modern calibres. A limited edition called the 150 year anniversary Ritter Von Mannlicher were run in 1998 in the original 6.5×54mm M.S.cartridge. Although the modern 'Classic' Steyr-Mannlicher rifles still incorporate some original features, like the butter-knife bolt handle, the distinctive actions and rotary (spool) magazines of the original Mannlicher–Schönauer rifles are no longer used.

High production costs and the difficulty of fitting telescopic sights to the rifle's split receivers eventually resulted in a decision to terminate production in 1972. Models produced had been: 1900, 1903, 1905, 1908, 1910, 1924 High Velocity Sporting Rifle, 1950, 1952, 1956 Monte Carlo, 1961 Monte Carlo All-Purpose, Magnum.

Due to its popularity, the rifle is still manufactured by independent gunsmiths (such as Erich Schöder) in its country of origin. Spare parts are also still widely available.

Users[edit]

• Kingdom of Greece^[4]
• Austria-Hungary
• Albania
• Republic of China: Used by some warlord armies.^[5]

Notes[edit]

1. ^ ^abL.S. Skartsis,Greek Vehicle & Machine Manufacturers 1800 to present: A Pictorial History, Marathon (2012)ISBN978-960-93-4452-4 (p. 222)
2. ^ ^abChristos Sazanidis, Ta Opla ton Ellinon (Arms of the Greeks), Maiandros, Thessaloniki (1995)
3. ^Rigas Rigopoulos (2003). Secret War: Greece-Middle East, 1940–1945 : the Events Surrounding the Story of Service 5-16-5(PDF). Turner Publishing Company. ISBN978-1-56311-886-9. Archived from the original(PDF) on 4 September 2014.
4. ^http://www.hungariae.com/Mann03.htm
5. ^Chinese Warlord Armies 1911–30 by Philip Jowett, page 22.

External links[edit]