Mannlicher Schöenauer checkering - Flat top or pointed?

[Frederik Badenhorst]

Hi guys

Having my Mannlicher Carbine refinished and my gunsmith emailed me to find out if the MS guns had flat top checkering of pointed checkering?
It currently sports flat top checkering , but he wants to know if this was the original checkering pattern or if someone just knocked the tops off the checkering in a previous refinish.

Any info might be helpful.

My 1903 MS was retailed by Watson Brothers of London. Their name and address is stamped on the barrel.

Cheers

 

[IvW]

It almost certainly would have had flat top checkering, my ques anyway....

 

[Brian Rothhammer]

Hi guys

Having my Mannlicher Carbine refinished and my gunsmith emailed me to find out if the MS guns had flat top checkering of pointed checkering?

My 1903 MS was retailed by Watson Brothers of London.
Cheers

I wouldn't really call the checkering on the early MS either 'flat' or 'pointed'. They aren't really 'diamond' shaped but are more like ovals with pointed ends when viewed close.

Truth be told, the checkering on the M1900 through M1924 is known to be rather imprecise and uneven with the lines wandering a bit. I'd recommend viewing (and forwarding to your smith) several photos of 'prewar' MS to get an idea of how the originals were cut if you're looking for 'old style' authenticity.

Here is a good source of images: http://forums.**NOT**PERMITTED**.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=230186&page=0&fpart=1&vc=1

This thread shows a non - original stock on an MS customized for a client by Dorleac & Dorleac. Their work is superb and shows that European 'old world' craftsmanship is not entirely extinct: http://forums.**NOT**PERMITTED**.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=287223&page=0&fpart=1&vc=1

The very first MS sporting rifles and carbines had a 'Prince of Wales' profile to the grip, as shown here on this M1903:

Some others, as my 1922 proofed M1910 Takedown Model, have this dandy bit of kit wherein one can store a spare sight bead. The grip cap is horn. Note how the checkering 'wanders' toward the cap:

Another feature offered as a 'cost option' on the M1903 - M1924 was the 'special folding peep sight' (my M1910 has one). They are hard to find but have shown up on Ebay:

Westley Richards also used them:

Here offered on 'Mousies':

Not exactly 'stock related', but here are a few other excellent, period appropriate, peep sight options.
Lyman 36 'swing away:

Pivots out of the way when bolt is pulled back, springs forward to reset

Lyman 1A:

Parker Hale 'Sportarget':

And a simple, neat, little homespun job: