Hi there chaps!

I'm real, really - not bogus. Just managed to forget my password, but the temporary one has got me in.

Yes Casper50, looks like you have bought my much-lover 6.5 x 54 Mannlicher Schoenauer. From the beginning: It was made in 1938 or 39 because it is engraved "Made in Germany", which dates it after March 1938 when Austria was 'annexed' by Germany. I have never disturbed the full-length to look for the proof marks, which might give more details.

It was liberated in Austria after 1945 by a Scottish officer who returned to Scotland and used for deer stalking in the Highlands. This is when it was put into the green canvas waterproof cover with shoulder strap that should be still with it when it arrives in Alaska.

At some point in the 1960s the legal experts decided that all deer stalking must be undertaken with rifles having a minimum velocity of 2450 fps, so making most double rifles and also the Mann. Sch. obsolete.

It was purchased somehow by the late Derek Fearn, a master gunsmith who lived and worked near Derby in the English Midlands. He also used to go stalking in Scotland. He developed reloads with the 140 grain bullet that were JUST fast enough to be used in Scotland, but I know he also favoured the 7 x 57 round.

I got to know Derek through my interest in Rook rifles, begun in 1997 after all pistols were banned in Britain. Derek was a mine of information about these and their obscure cartridges. He was also a Guardian of the Birmingham Proof House, with hundreds of contacts in the Birmingham Gun Trade. In about 2002 Derek was diagnosed with colon cancer, which later developed into liver cancer, killing him five years later. During this period he was offered a rare 6.5mm K Mauser, and so asked me if I would like to purchase the Mann. Sch. I had never owned a bolt action rifle at that point so jumped into the deep end and bought it. Since then I only fired about 200 rounds through it.

After surviving the Covid lockdown and reassessing my priorities, I decided to put four items into Gavin Gardiner's auction (good bloke). So enjoy it when you receive it!

If you (Mike?)send me a Private Message I can send you some photographs plus my shooting records.

Historic Bore