Quote:

---

Pop up peep sight or pop up diopter sight? I suspect that it is a diopter to sharpen focus on the iron sights.

Nice rifle though.

What would fit in the grip cap?

Vlad

---

First, the listing refers to the takedown as being 'British built'. Though it has British proofs (as does mine, in addition to Austrian), these takedown MS were built as such at the Steyr factory in Austria. The flip up sight, though perhaps a diopter, is referred to in the 1939 Stoeger (U.S.) Catalog (third 'cost option' from end of the list) as a "special folding peep sight" and added $12.00 to the cost:




They were also available on Mauser built rifles for $20:


The grip cap storage (not listed in Stoeger with the options) was for extra sight beads, which mine still contains. There are different bead diameters.

--------------------
Citizen of the Cherokee Nation

Post Extras:

Quote:

---

Thank you Rothhammer1.

Vlad

---

No problem - glad to share!


--------------------
Citizen of the Cherokee Nation

Post Extras:

Quote:

---

Regarding these rear peep or diopter sights. Is the bolt cocking piece prone to catching on it when pushing the bolt closed. Or is this expected to be a one shot opportunity. Clearance must be pretty slim. Somebody with experience I would like to be enlightened, they are lovely rifles.

---

It slides right over it on opening and on closing. That 'hump' shape on the top (front, when open) of the peep sight makes a nice little cam of sorts.

It's very easy to work with the right thumb while maintaining hand position. It clicks shut neatly and opens with a slight rightward shift of that little button, allowing it to spring forward. Once open, it will reset itself as you work the bolt unless you press the sight closed.

When I've used the peep while target shooting (taking my time), I often close it, then work the bolt, but only to preserve the finish.

'Prewar' Mannlicher Schönauer rifles were made like fine watches. The bolt and magazine are smoother than grease on hot glass. The single trigger on the takedown model is an adjustable 'military pull' two stage. Doubles can be set to a 'hair'.

Post Extras:

Quote:

---

Thanks for the reply. I only asked due to the picture in the Stoeger catalog the hump is not in contact with any part of the bolt and cocking piece in contact with the sight. Artists rendition maybe.

---

It contacts firing pin nut and cocking piece (rearward portion of bolt assembly) throughout its operation, but does not bind or 'catch'.

When the peep is open and the bolt is operated rearward, the firing pin retaining nut, then the cocking piece make contact with the 'hump' on the peep as the bolt is pushed back against its spring tension. They slide over one another very smoothly. The cam design of that 'hump' precludes binding.

On return, again no binding. As the bolt is driven home, the spring tension pushes the 'peep' back to its upright position, ready to use.

I have just had mine 'in hand' to verify this.

The image of the bolt open over the 'peep sight' is accurate and shows the bolt at full rearward extension. The 'hump' atop the peep sight is in direct contact with the cocking piece.

Imagine that bolt being pushed forward; as it slides forward along the gradually ramped side of the 'hump', it pushes the sight downward. As the cocking piece comes clear of the hump altogether, the sight springs upward against the 'tab' that extends downward fore of the nut. When clear of that, the hump encounters the firing pin nut itself, when clear of that, it is free to return to its upward position. Unless done very s l o w l y, this entire operation is quite smooth and nothing 'binds'.

It takes a little more effort to open the bolt against the peep than with the sight closed, but remember, these 'prewar' MS bolts operate so smoothly that they will close, seat fully and lock tightly by merely lowering the stock with trigger pulled.




The cocking piece

Post Extras:

Quote:

---

Wish I had one of these rifles for stalking the dark timber.

---

Stalking is precisely what the 'sporting' Mannlicher Schönauer was designed for.

The stock geometry; light, svelt forend, drop of comb and cast off of stock at the butt make for instant sight acquisition through the iron sights when quickly brought to the shoulder ('snap shooting').



This geometry differs from what is now typical a century later.

Use of scope, especially as they tend to be mounted high to clear the bolt handle (early MS really weren't designed for scope use), can be a bit awkward which is what inspired the design of comb risers such as the one on Dorleac's fine example shown on a concurrent thread. Scope mounts for MS tend to be 'see through' so there is an unobstructed view of the iron sights for 'snap shooting', even with scope mounted. Claw mounts allow for quick removal of scope and instant 'return to zero' when replaced.

Not long after MS production resumed in the 1950s, the 'Monte Carlo' style stocks were offered to facilitate scope use.

For a description of MS stock 'cast off', click this link and scroll down to the article,"Cast in Mannlicher-Schoenauer Stocks": MS Cast Off

--------------------
Citizen of the Cherokee Nation

Post Extras:

Quote:

---

On the rear peepsight, (I have one on my takedown) the flat knurled blade at the top may be pulled up to adjust for range.
Apologies if you guys knew this, just saying for those who don’t know.
The bolt does indeed slide over, pushing the peepsight down, then allowing it to spring back into position as it’s being cycled, even when the range blade is pulled up for use.
.

---

Post Extras:

Quote:

---

You'll share updates on your 'cheap' M1903?

---

Post Extras:

Quote:

---

I’ll open a different thread on this in due course Rothhammer1, it’s a 1936 proofed stutzen all completely stripped down at present. I need to work out how to post pics on this site though.
Cheers, d

---

Post Extras: