Mannlicher-Schoenauer, history, models, performance, features, storys

[Sourdough]

Oh, I bought the Mannlicher 458 out of South Africa and had it shipped to the U.S.

 

[Brian Rothhammer]

So, I have a question, my 9x56ms is unmounted and I am starting to have problems seeing the sights, how much sacrilege is it to mount a scope to it?

Depends upon one's budget, taste, conscience.

Originality can never be replaced, but if optics are needed they can be added correctly and tastefully if 'German Claw Mounts' of high quality (such as those from New England Custom Gun Works) are mounted by an expert craftsman who is intimately familiar with der Mannlicher Schoenauer and has scoped many such as Joel Dorleac of Dorleac & Dorleac.

NECG claw mount parts for MS.

Custom made 'low' claw mount on MS by Dorleac.

Claw mounts and 'Vienna Snappers' were the accepted mode by which to add optics to an MS in the pre WW2 days. Both allow scope to be easily removed / replaced with one hand, always return to 'zero'. 'Vienna Snappers' are obsolete to the point of extinction, parts for claws are available but must be custom fitted _by an expert with considerable experience mounting them to Mannlicher Schoenauers._

My (Grand Dad's) M1910 Take Down Model wears a claw mounted Gerard B (4X) that was present when he purchased it second hand at Colombo, Ceylon, 1931.

They were generally mounted high with a 'see through' passage under scope so the iron sights may still be used with scope installed.

'Vienna Snapper' on Mannlicher Schoenauer, Stoeger 1939.

Claw mounted Mauser, Stoeger 1939.

 

[Brian Rothhammer]

Brother if I could afford a Dozzie I'd buy one for sure!

Well, you do now have a firearm equivalent to a Duesenberg SSJ.

 

[MS 9x56]

So, I have a question, my 9x56ms is unmounted and I am starting to have problems seeing the sights, how much sacrilege is it to mount a scope to it?

I was having a similar issue with the tiny U rear sight so I did the below. Still usable without drilling and tapping

 

[Major Bonkers]

Personally, I would regard adding a telescopic sight as sacrilegious. They spoil the lines of the rifle and usually reduce its value.

Telescopic sights are difficult to mount on an MS because of the split rear bridge and the high angle of the bolt handle when open. This means that the 'scopes are usually mounted far too high; which leads to additional problems: the stock is not made to allow the sight to be used, so it becomes awkward and in the wrong place (this does not apply to those later MS rifles with a 'pancake' cheek piece, which allows you to slide the cheek up and down the stock - Terry Weiland is very complimentary about this stock design in 'Great Hunting Rifles') and the sight and barrel are too far apart, which introduces difficulties with the zero.

Otherwise, I would echo the thoughts of BR (the great guru of Mannlichers) - if you are going to get a 'scope mounted, make the effort to get it done properly. Badly mounted ones look terrible.

The other people possibly worth talking to are Daniel Fraser and C. H. Haygarth (both in Scotland), both Mannlicher specialists. Other highly competent gunsmiths would be Mark Crudgington
at George Gibbs and Lee Butler. Having said all that, the Dorleac mounts look a very good place to start and end.

 

[Boone66]

I was having a similar issue with the tiny U rear sight so I did the below. Still usable without drilling and tappingView attachment 596690

I had thought about gold lines also, or the bolt peep, on a extra cocking piece.

 

[SaintPanzer]

In addition to the above, Lee LeBas will do a great job on a Mannlicher.

In my case, I had an M1903 (from 1939) that was dovetailed for a scope, but no scope was present. Lee was able to source a period-correct scope, along with a Wiener Schnappenmontage, and fit it perfectly.

Lee LeBas USA LeArms LLC Showroom Sporting Guns and Rifles For Sale

Providing Hi Quality Vintage Firearms with full disclosure of condition and proof markings. I am able to offer information on any Rigby firearm as well as Steve Helsley our Historian. Click the links below to view more about our Showroom. Le Arms also offers Hi-Grade firearms for sale...

learmsllc.com

 

[Boone66]

Personally, I would regard adding a telescopic sight as sacrilegious. They spoil the lines of the rifle and usually reduce its value.

Telescopic sights are difficult to mount on an MS because of the split rear bridge and the high angle of the bolt handle when open. This means that the 'scopes are usually mounted far too high; which leads to additional problems: the stock is not made to allow the sight to be used, so it becomes awkward and in the wrong place (this does not apply to those later MS rifles with a 'pancake' cheek piece, which allows you to slide the cheek up and down the stock - Terry Weiland is very complimentary about this stock design in 'Great Hunting Rifles') and the sight and barrel are too far apart, which introduces difficulties with the zero.

Otherwise, I would echo the thoughts of BR (the great guru of Mannlichers) - if you are going to get a 'scope mounted, make the effort to get it done properly. Badly mounted ones look terrible.

The other people possibly worth talking to are Daniel Fraser and C. H. Haygarth (both in Scotland), both Mannlicher specialists. Other highly competent gunsmiths would be Mark Crudgington
at George Gibbs and Lee Butler. Having said all that, the Dorleac mounts look a very good place to start and end.

I have looked at the mounts from NECG before and figured I could fit them myself. I also new the scope would be off and theirfore would throw off the shotgun like handling of it. I would actually prefer a bolt peep sight, but these are very hard to find, may have to build one myself. When you go to.buy one of these rifles, scopes, peeps or holes doesn't seem to effect the price...as everyone thinks they are made of gold. I saw a very ratty looking one at a gun shop in Missouri that I only wanted for a peep sight, but they wanted $1600 for it, crazy. Non matching numbers, pitting etc. Thanks for the Information

 

[Brian Rothhammer]

Otherwise, I would echo the thoughts of BR (the great guru of Mannlichers)....

Should I sign future posts as GGOM?

I know, it's Kaiser Bill. He bought Mausers.

 

[Brian Rothhammer]

... only wanted for a peep sight, but they wanted $1600 for it, crazy...

The 'holy grail':

Stoeger, 1939.