Rolland, The British generally built Mannlichers with no scope mounts however scopes were not completely uncommon. Some were offset as you said but many were also mounted centrally with QD rings which were usually custom made as were the bases. As the rifle was designed as a stalking rifle having five shots was considered plenty as needing more than five rounds on one animal would have been considered un-sportsman like. Having said that removing and replacing the scope can be done in seconds if the rings and bases are designed properly. The Europeans used mainly claw mounts or Vienna Springer type mounts whereas the British had quite a variety of custom made mounts. If you check out this post there a quite a number with scopes.

http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=197170&an=0&page=1#Post197170

As for using the Steyr factory mounts as made after the war, these wont work on an 1895 as the receiver is round at the bridge whereas the Mannlicher Schoenauer, for which these mounts were designed, has a bridge which has flats on either side. The Steyr factory mounts are made for this type of bridge and the rear base is designed to sit on a flat surface rather than curved. Having said that that system could be copied and the rear base made with a curved surface. That particular set-up works very well and returns to zero perfectly, and allows you to swing the scope slightly to the side to load another clip, however it is definitely post war in styling.

Another option is some H&H style mounts as seen her on a magnificent little H&H MS1903 owned by Paradox. These a very classic British.

http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat....true#Post311228

A one piece side mount is another option but a custom base may have to be made to fit the receiver.

I am in the same boat as you at the moment deciding what to do as far as optics.

Matt.