I have just bought, but have not yet taken delivery of, a 1903 M/S which has been converted to 7X57. Although I have the parts to convert it back, I am hoping that it will prove to be a well executed conversion, because I already have several 1903's in 6.5X54 M/S.

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The Griffin & Howe side mount is a plus for me. In my opinion it is among the best options for mounting a scope on a Mannlicher Schoenauer. There is also what appears to be the base for Lyman 36 receiver sight mounted on the bolt stop. I have another such sight and it will be interesting to see if the slide will fit this base.

The stock could certainly use some improvement, and I have already gotten suggestions on how that could be done.

Among the other features of the rifle I would like to alter is the trigger. I much prefer the double set trigger arrangement I have on my other M/S rifles and carbines, as well as on several of my Oberndorf Mauser sporting rifles.

I know that at some point Styer changed the method of fastening the trigger guard to the trigger plate from a sort of hook arrangement to the more conventional threaded connector. I wonder if anyone can tell me when the change took place, with the approximate serial number range.