Oops--got so caught up in my description I forgot to mention caliber. It's .30-06. In that era a company called Sequoia Importing specialized in European guns and sporting equipment. Sequoia persuaded Steyr to build a run of rifles for the US market in .30-06, which became this model. Steyr had to lengthen the action slightly, and in the process changed the bolt release lever to the rectangular pattern. The 1924 was only made for a year, then morphed into the High Velocity model for a host of non-proprietary chamberings. My rifle is very light--barely 7 pounds--and kicks like three mules with modern premium ammo (you can't see it in the photos, but it still has the original trapdoor buttplate). I've heard that all the 1924 rifles are configured like mine--half-stock sporters--but don't know for sure. If anyone knows more about the Sequoia rifles, or about factory-scoped pre-war guns, I'd like to learn more about both. Thanks for your interest!
Malcolm