DORLEAC
.333 member
Reged: 22/01/12
Posts: 468
Loc: Perpignan, France
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I owe to the true to admit that we were somewhat skeptical when Mike asked us if we agreed to build a big game rifle using a 1958 proofed Mannlicher-Schöenauer Mod.1956 cal. 458 WM as a foundation. The challenge was to do the rifle in DORLEAC fashion with the following requirements: wide field of view removable classic scope, express sights and some sort of ghost ring for quick shoot. We selected a S&B 1,25-4x24 scope with prismatic rail under main tube and mounted it on special made claw mounts. For us it appears that it's the best way to scope the split bridge Schöenauer action when you want an easy detachable mount with perfect zero return. In order to adapt our stock pattern we machined a new solid trigger guard and fitted a newly made adjustable trigger that goes slightly further to the rear allowing a more confortable grip. On the bolt we have inletted a small buffalo horn tip dovetailed in the spoon handle. We have seen that conversion done on pre WW1 Westley-Richards M-S and we believe that it was done for an easier operation of the bolt without being hurt by the edges of the spoon. We have completed the fitting with a period Parker-Hale folding peep sight brazed on the bolt shroud. It has been made so it can be used as a ghost ring without interference in handling with the low mounted scope and it benefits of the option of two apertures, a wide ghost and a more accurate one. The last problem was with the stock and the walnut blank. The Mannlicher stock is heavily relieved and as the rifle will be stocked DORLEAC style it will get some form of slim stock. Indeed the action is bedded but our experience with such heavy recoiling rifles that will be used in Africa is to select a walnut blank with good grain flow. We have preferred to use well-seasoned French walnut (Juglans Regia) even if it doesn't display as much figures than Turkish woods. Here is the near completed rifle in the white.
Best regards.
Regards to all.
DORLEAC www.dorleac-dorleac.com






















TAG: Powweb backup needed
Edited by NitroX (03/08/17 08:29 AM)
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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40623
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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That is truly one super beautiful rifle!
I think the change to the bolt spoon handle was also excellent. I like the look of the Mannlicher spoon handles but do not actually like using them. And on a DGR I think they are far from ideal if needed for quick use. Well done on the alteration.
The new trigger guard also looks perfect.
And the stock is the usual Dorleac excellent modern classic design.
-------------------- John aka NitroX
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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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Carpetsahib
.333 member
Reged: 29/04/07
Posts: 435
Loc: Western NC
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That is beautiful work. The rifle is so graceful it doesn't look like it could possibly be a .458!
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xausa
.400 member
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 2037
Loc: Tennessee, USA
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The stock work is indeed impeccable, but since the left side of the receiver is evidently machined to accept a side mount base, might I point out that a Griffin & Howe mount allows the scope to be mounted as low as the bolt handle will permit and leaves no clutter on the receiver or barrel to interfere with iron sights once the scope is removed.
Edited by NitroX (03/08/17 08:04 AM)
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500Boswell
.400 member
Reged: 21/07/06
Posts: 1281
Loc: Queensland
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Amazingly good ,love the metal work on it too
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93x64mm
.416 member
Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 4391
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
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Quote:
That is truly one super beautiful rifle!
I think the change to the bolt spoon handle was also excellent. I like the look of the Mannlicher spoon handles but do not actually like using them. And on a DGR I think they are far from ideal if needed for quick use. Well done on the alteration.
The new trigger guard also looks perfect.
And the stock is the usual Dorleac excellent modern classic design.
ditto!
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Waidmannsheil
.416 member
Reged: 19/04/13
Posts: 2513
Loc: Melbourne Australia
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Absolutely superb, beautiful lines and as was stated above, so graceful it couldn't possibly be a 458. It is great to see you doing something other than Mauser's and being a fan of Mannlicher's this one doesn't get any better. The stock is perfect and the bolt handle very clever.
Did you use the original barrel or is it a new one ? Is the rifle getting any engraving ?
As always thanks for posting such great photos.
Waidmannsheil.
-------------------- There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.
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Rockdoc
.400 member
Reged: 07/12/06
Posts: 1213
Loc: NSW, Australia
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Wow, just wow!
It always takes my breath away when I see a photo of a stock emerging from a blank of wood. Especially where the metalwork is inletted into the stock like that.
Oh to have such talent...
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GG375
.333 member
Reged: 27/02/04
Posts: 347
Loc: Brisbane
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Utterly perfect!
I never seem to tire of seeing custom Mannlichers. The Dorleac stock shape is beautiful IMO!
GG
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Waidmannsheil
.416 member
Reged: 19/04/13
Posts: 2513
Loc: Melbourne Australia
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Quote:
Utterly perfect!
I never seem to tire of seeing custom Mannlichers. The Dorleac stock shape is beautiful IMO!
GG
Unfortunately you don't see very many as most people seem to consider it sacrilege to turn a factory Mannlicher into a custom sporting rifle, and yet they are a superb platform for a custom gun.
Waidmannsheil.
-------------------- There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.
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ducmarc
.400 member
Reged: 14/07/14
Posts: 1207
Loc: fla
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What a beautiful rifle makes me want to throw mine in the river.....what is the finish nickel or a hard chrome? If I were to add anything and its something i allways wanted is a cartage trap.I hate to ask but what does something like that cost?
-------------------- 'killed by death' Lemmy.. ' boil the dog ' Elvis Manywounds "my best friend is my magnum forty four" hank willams the third.
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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40623
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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Now is "Mike" one of our members at NE? Seeing Joel named the rifle as "working for Mike"?
If so or anyway "Mike" has an absolutely beautiful new Mannlicher-Schoenauer rifle.
-------------------- John aka NitroX
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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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Mike_Bailey
.400 member
Reged: 26/02/07
Posts: 2289
Loc: GB
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That's me best, Mike
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GG375
.333 member
Reged: 27/02/04
Posts: 347
Loc: Brisbane
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Quote:
Quote:
Utterly perfect!
I never seem to tire of seeing custom Mannlichers. The Dorleac stock shape is beautiful IMO!
GG
Unfortunately you don't see very many as most people seem to consider it sacrilege to turn a factory Mannlicher into a custom sporting rifle, and yet they are a superb platform for a custom gun.
Waidmannsheil.
The Poms weren't afraid to customise them in the early days but as you say, not many are done nowadays. I had a semi custom M1950 in 9.3x62 made here in Australia but don't know of any others.
GG
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MRobinson
.275 member
Reged: 29/01/06
Posts: 66
Loc: New England
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Bravo! Superb!
-------------------- Mike
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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40623
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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Quote:
That's me best, Mike
You will soon have a "new" superb and beautiful rifle. Congratulations.
-------------------- John aka NitroX
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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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mehulkamdar
.416 member
Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 3688
Loc: State of Ill-Annoy USA.
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Wow, Joel! That has to be the most exquisite Mannlicher that I have ever seen! But then, when you lavished your attention on it, it would have to be that! Absolutely gorgeous!
Congratulations, Mike! Your taste in fine firearms is laudable, of course, and you have chosen the right artisan to build this treasure! Has to come out of a fine aesthetic instinct! Well done, once again, sir!
-------------------- The Ark was made by amateurs. Experts built the Titanic.
Mehul Kamdar
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GPJ12345
.300 member
Reged: 18/08/12
Posts: 149
Loc: South Africa
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Excellent work , Dorleac. Can not use a better platform than a .458 Mannlicher Schoenauer (Win Mag) since some of the greatest elephant hunters used the .458 Mannlicher Schoenauer rifles . Richard Harland used one to cull thousands of elephants in the Rhodesian corridors ...Terry Irwin used one in Tanzania, Selous Game park and Barry Dugworth use several .458 MS to hunt dangerous game. Their rationale being that this is the only dangerous game rifle that do not have a bottom metal that open up when firing under stressful hunting/culling circumstances.
As pointed out by a Mannlicher Shoenauer collector , the .458 Mannlicher Schoenauer with this stock from the 1958 era is an American version and can be altered as one wants since it is not really a original deigned Mannlicher stock...Mike , you did well to make this choice..excellent rifle enjoy it , it shoots extremely accurate for a big bore rifle...
Gert
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lonewulf
.300 member
Reged: 06/08/12
Posts: 227
Loc: South-East Otago, New Zealand
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Just beautiful. A level of insight and craftsmanship that one doesn't really expect to see in this day and age.
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DORLEAC
.333 member
Reged: 22/01/12
Posts: 468
Loc: Perpignan, France
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Mike, .458WM Mannlicher-Schöenauer is now fully completed. Making that big game rifle has been quite a challenge as I owe to the true to recognize that the basic quality of the 1956 donor Schöenauer wasn't up the craftsmanship level we usually found on prewar production. We have done the best to create a clean, well-balanced, rifle and we hope its owner will like and use it with confidence. As stated earlier the sighting equipment relies on a S&B 1,25-4x24 scope fitted on special hand made quick detachable low claw mounts while the metallic sighting line combine a front 1/10" gold bead, three leaves express rear sight and a modified P-H bolt peep sight with removable aperture converting it to ghost ring. Indeed all the barrel fitting is band soldered while the front swivel base is silver brazed. The French walnut stock is DORLEAC slim style and some stubble touches of engraving, gold inlays and color case hardening complete the finish. Please feel free to comment.
Best regards to all.
DORLEAC www.dorleac-dorleac.com
TAG: Powweb backup needed
Edited by NitroX (03/08/17 08:28 AM)
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Viking338
.333 member
Reged: 11/08/11
Posts: 480
Loc: Queensland Australia
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That is very very beautiful, congratulations on a fantastic job. I would feel honoured to own such a fantastic piece! Sadly I will never have the funds but do love to dream
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Waidmannsheil
.416 member
Reged: 19/04/13
Posts: 2513
Loc: Melbourne Australia
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Bloody Hell Joel, it just doesn't get any better than this. Absolutely stunning, perfect in every way. I think Mike is going to pass out when he actually holds it in his hands. Super well done and thanks for sharing.
Waidmannsheil.
-------------------- There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.
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bwanabobftw
.375 member
Reged: 29/12/04
Posts: 699
Loc: Texas
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WOW, I didn't know A Schoenaur could look so good !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very nice. Robert
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Carpetsahib
.333 member
Reged: 29/04/07
Posts: 435
Loc: Western NC
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Magnificent work! Your photography is outstanding as well!
It appears that the gold-inlaid serial numbers on the trigger guard are shadowed. I don't think I have seen that done before.
Again, magnificent work!
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DORLEAC
.333 member
Reged: 22/01/12
Posts: 468
Loc: Perpignan, France
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Quote:
It appears that the gold-inlaid serial numbers on the trigger guard are shadowed. I don't think I have seen that done before.
Yes the serial number is hand engraved, gold inlaid and shadowed.
DORLEAC www.dorleac-dorleac.com
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