Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Steyr 1903 Mannlicher carbine

What's the good, bad and ugly? I found one for sale. Asking price is 750. I'd rate it overall at 70% finish remaining. Open sights are there. Scope bases are there but no rings. Give me your collective knowledge, please. The more I read about them, the more I want it. I think it's a prewar, but I can't swear to it yet.

I believe it is the 17.7 " barrel . The stock goes all the way to end of barrel like a a ruger international. The floor plate turns sideways to remove magazine.

Edit: went back today and bought it . It's not perfect ,but a cool rifle.independent Gunsmith checked it for me and said it's a 6.5 caliber still.

Been looking for one for years. Never seen one anywhere near that cheap

First thing to clarify is if you're talking about a commercial Mannlicher-Schoenauer M1903, or a Greek military M1903 that might have been sporterized? What are the exact markings on the receiver ring (if not obscured by the scope base) and along the side rail? Since it's identified as a 'Steyr 1903' instead of a 'Mannlicher Schoenauer 1903' makes me think it might be a Greek.

Washougal Chris

At $750 I'd think it is a good deal if the bore and chamber are shiny. Be careful of bores that are bad because to re-barrel a 1903 is not exactly a cheap job. I know, I just did one last year. Not a horror story, but not as easy as an 03 Springfield and no where near as easy as a 98 Mauser.




Look at the markings on this rifle. It's a Greek contract rifle made by Breda in Italy. The Greek cross is evident.
This is what Washougal Chris is talking about.



If the bore is bad you are not going to have a good shooter in many cases and then $750 may not be such a good deal. But if the bore is good I'd say $750 is a very good deal if everything else is in good condition.

It's not a round bolt knob if that answers the question. Or you could post pics of each?

I also added more info to my original post.

I don't recall if it had that Greek cross on it. Is that the only way to tell?

t

First of all,thank you. On the side it has about four words and the last one is Steyr. That's the only thing recognizable to me as far as markings go. It also says made in Austria if I recall correctly.

If it says Austria it's the real deal. Unless the bolt handle has been modified it's a commercial action. The military ones have a short handle with a large ball with a hole drilled in them which stands straight out from the action, not turned down like the one in the pictures I posted. That's how mine was before I made a new one.

It has the swept down flat type bolt handle.

Well if it were me, and the gun had a good bore I'd go back and buy it.

Commercial M/S actions have a spring just behind the bolt handle called the bolt tension spring. Military actions will not have this but, still are mighty fine actions.

Wipe your dick after running out the door with it tucked under your arm.

Does it say something like this on the side rail:

Oesterr Waffenfabr Ges Steyr

If so, along with the 'Made in Austria', it does sound like a true commercial M1903.

You can read more and see examples of typical proof marks here:

Mannlicher Markings

It does sound like a good deal. Just be aware, though, that in many cases the rings were custom-fit to the rifle. I believe NECG (New England Custom Gun Services) still makes custom rings, but you may end up spending as much as you did on the rifle. Of course, if you're happy with the open sights then your good to go!

Chris

I bought it. Pics coming

Possibly cigarette rifle

Pics added to original post

Well bought....

Excellent!
Now you need to go make meat with it.


Oh....how's the bore look?

The bore looks ok

You will like it!
Sent you a PM

It should be a 6.5x54 caliber. Ammunition is still available. Nice piece.