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...This whole question stems from a 1903 takedown project rifle I picked up that does not have any name on the barrel or otherwise. ... I am also just curious about a more in-depth understanding of British M-S’s in general. Thanks for any insight.

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From information that I have gathered over time and images viewed, I believe the majority of M1903, M1905, M1908, and M1910 Steyr built Take Down Models were sold 'through the British trade', many of them with fitted travel cases, yet without a retailer's name engraved on them.

The Steyr factory built takedown system was very similar to that used by Westley Richards, as on this WR Mauser in 1912 advert:





Many authors and sellers have long referred to them as the 'British Take Down Mannlicher' with some insisting that they were 'converted' in England. To confuse matters there were, indeed, conversions done in the land of Big Ben; often of the interrupted screw type (break open) and which often do have a retailer's mark.

The Steyr built MS Take Down Model worked thusly, as described in the 1939 Stoeger catalog:



My own M1910 Take Down Model, proofed 1922, bears no retailer's mark. It does have the British added proofs and stampings typical of MS takedowns of the period such as bullet weight, diameter, and maximum Cordite load. It has a fitted case that has long since lost its inner lid label and was purchased 'second hand' by my grandfather in the British colony of Ceylon in 1930 or 31.

An image swiped from the 'net, detail of an M1905 Take Down Model:



Steyr built MS Take Down Model in 'Army and Navy' (retailer) labeled case:



It seems the market for take down models was primarily to steamship travelers and 'Great White Hunters' or those who fancied themselves so.


M1910 Take Down Model afield.

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Thank you for the input and information Gentleman.

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Here's a bit more... .

Stoeger, 1927 - Take Down option was + $20, $5 more than in 1939.
Note the 'High Velocity' ('M1925') were not yet offered:



Sights, from 1936 Steyr katalog:



1939:



More British proofs:



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Citizen of the Cherokee Nation

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I’ll take some pictures of the sights on my project when I get home

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Here are MauserKid's images:









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Citizen of the Cherokee Nation

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I don’t see any Austrian proofing!

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Nothing like these?:



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Citizen of the Cherokee Nation

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OMG, not Grandad...again ( emoji shaking his head)

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Rothhammer

Im not wanting to start a war here.
I may well be alone here. However Im getting just a little tired of your same regurgitated pictures...in particular that of your purported grandfather and his Leopard.
It is no doubt a wonderful photo, in fact I have intentions of asking you if I might use it in an article Im writing.

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Rothhammer, well put.

Your own 1910, are we going to pictures of your Grandfathers 1910...yes or no

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My own M1910 was formerly his - they are one and the same.

I actually haven't taken any photos of the rifle, myself. I suppose someday I will, but I know what it looks like.

For posting, photographs of my / his cased M1910 Take Down Model would look nearly identical to those of many others as it is rather typical.

It bears Austrian proofs dated 1922 as well as the usual British proofs / load info found on 'factory' MS TD's. It has the 'special folding peep sight' option as well as removable grip cap, neither of which are unusual alone nor in combination with one another. The case lacks its inner label. The claw mounted Gerard B it wears is also not unique.

Again, I suppose someday I'll photograph it or have it done, but to me it looks far more interesting held afield by dear ol' (purported) Grand Dad.

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Citizen of the Cherokee Nation

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