Hello from Montana. I stumbled on Nitroexpress while looking for Mannlicher info online, and I've come to regard it as the best meeting ground I've seen for people dedicated to real hunting and fine arms--sort of a modern version of an old-fashioned colonial sporting club. Things seem to have quieted down on the Mannlicher front, so I'm posting pictures and descriptions of the two I own, both of which are unique in relation to any of the rifles previously featured. One is a Model 1924, the first MS produced specifically for the American market (and in a non-proprietary cartridge), the other a factory-scoped 1903 carbine wearing its original Oigee 4x. Here's a picture of the two together.

I lucked into the 1924 first, when I worked in a gun shop during college. We saw very few MS rifles of any type, but I'd wanted one for a long time. When a guy brought this in looking to trade it, I had no idea it was as rare a model as it is. Apparently only a thousand were produced, all for the US market. A friend had the 1903, and sold it to me last summer (grudgingly!) to finance some other gun trades. He described it to me on the phone as factory-scoped, but I didn't actually believe it until I saw a picture he sent. I'd seen a number of claw-mounted pre-war Mannlichers, all with the front base dovetailed into action ring, but this was the first true Steyr mount to cross my path. Here's the mounting system:

Some of the wood detail:

My friend also described an add-on peep sight, which I later learned to be a Lyman Model 36, a cult favorite amongst American Mannlicher fans. The peep is mounted on a spring-loaded arm that pivots out of the way when the bolt handle passes. As you can see, the Lyman is nearly as intricate as the rifle itself.

Both rifles shoot well. I've killed several deer and a pronghorn with the 1924, and plan to hunt with the 1903 this year, now that I've figured out how to load for it. I am curious to know more about the pre-war scoped rifles--did Steyr ever dovetail the action ring for claw mounts, or was this strictly a retrofitted arrangement? Does anyone know the percentage of factory-scoped guns? My rifle was sold new through Abercrombie and Fitch in 1929, and the A&F and Sequoia ads I've seen show the same pincer-mount I've got, although a pre-war Stoeger catalog seems to show a mount on the action ring. If anyone has any info, I'd love to learn more! In the meantime, a parting shot.

Best,
Malcolm