Steyr Mannlicher-Schöenauer Model 1956

[Nathan510]

Hey All!



Saw a rifle in a LGS the other day, that I could not leave the store without starting the paperwork on. I had been looking for one locally, and haven't had any luck. Then this one caught my eye. Due to its condition and very reasonable price, I felt I would greatly regret not purchasing it. On a side note, my first deer was taken using a Steyr-Mannlicher (one of the newer ones with the Hammer Forged Spiral Barrel) and I loved the double set trigger.



It's a model 1956, Made in 1957. Chambered in .308. Monte Carlo, full mannlicher length stock. Lyman Perma-Center 3x Scope. Double Set Trigger



Any other Steyr Mannlicher owners out there that can share their experience in accuracy, reliability etc?



I'll post some pics below.

[Nathan510]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[elSquid]

Yeah, if I saw that in the store it would be hard to leave without buying it.

Nice rifle!

-- Michael

[naeco81]

[cocorador]

WOW! I was at the same store picking up my action the other day and didn't see that one. I would have bought it myself. Congrats! That is a very nice rifle.

[Bainter1212]

Yeah that one is a real peach. It would have tempted me as well.

What was the price tag on it? (If you don't mind sharing, that is....)

That rifle would make your buddies jealous in deer camp.

Edit: nevermind...tag says $1200. Worth it IMO

[Nathan510]

Thanks for all the kind words guys!

Yup, price tag is correct, I paid $1,200. I did a quick gunbroker search before buying and saw that they start around $2k in the condition mine is in. Some engraved ones were in the 10-15k+ price range!

I'll be sure to update this after taking her out to the range. But she will be a hunting rifle I will be very careful with, not a range gun. With the full stock, I'm sure once the barrel heats up after 6-8+ shots I will loose accuracy. But hey, when hunting deer, who shoots more than a couple shots anyways?

[Sutcliffe]

An amazing rifle from the golden age of hunting

Many a time I was tempted to buy one but the prices kept me from doing so.

[Nathan510]

Many a time I was tempted to buy one but the prices kept me from doing so.

I know what you mean, luckily this one was priced below market value!

[pennstater]

Wow! Great looking rifle. Excellent find. Congrats.

[dfletcher]

Thanks for all the kind words guys!

Yup, price tag is correct, I paid $1,200. I did a quick gunbroker search before buying and saw that they start around $2k in the condition mine is in. Some engraved ones were in the 10-15k+ price range!

I'll be sure to update this after taking her out to the range. But she will be a hunting rifle I will be very careful with, not a range gun. With the full stock, I'm sure once the barrel heats up after 6-8+ shots I will loose accuracy. But hey, when hunting deer, who shoots more than a couple shots anyways?

I have an MS Model 1952 "Euro" type in 257 Roberts, Jaeger QD scope mount with an older Redfield 2 to 7X attached. The two digit number you see on the left side of the receiver and the barrel shank (57?) is the year of manufacture. The Model 1956 was made from 56 to 61. The scope mount looks like quality - a G & H? And no screws visible = well done.

The magazine is a self contained unit. To remove it depress the button and turn the floorplate to the side. I t can be further disassembled but really no need. Compared to the functional US type mags it's quite the well done piece of work.

The "set" of the set trigger is set by that small screw. And IIRC the trigger guard will detach also. It's been a while since I set up mine but the whole unit can be removed, fiddled with for setting of either pull. Don't be disappointed if it takes a while to learn. Or, if it's fine as is leave them alone.

The swept back "in the white" bolt handle indicates the rifle was made for the US market rather than the European. Euro types have a straight down blued bolt. And you should see the Stoeger name on the floorplate.

Values on the older MS models (1950's) swings a bit and to be honest, most I see have a side mount scope attached and they range from well done to a homemade slab of metal. Whether a well done mount adds or detracts - I'm not sure one way or the other. I don't recall the exact chronology, but MS drilled & tapped two screw holes on the left rear of the bridge and later (1961 MC model I think) extended that factory work to the front ring. If it's "aftermarket" done I'd say that's a slight ding to value. I bought a set of Redfield mounts for a good price and am looking for a 61 to mount them on.

The rifle is an excellent buy and $1,200.00 is definitely on the low, low end. Especially considering the mount.

BTW, don't press that serrated brass button on the bolt rail when you have a magazine full of ammo.

[steelrain82]

That is nice. I don't hunt or really do any kind of distance shooting, but I definitely have my eye on the MS12

[Nathan510]

I have an MS Model 1952 "Euro" type in 257 Roberts, Jaeger QD scope mount with an older Redfield 2 to 7X attached. The two digit number you see on the left side of the receiver and the barrel shank (57?) is the year of manufacture. The Model 1956 was made from 56 to 61. The scope mount looks like quality - a G & H? And no screws visible = well done.

The magazine is a self contained unit. To remove it depress the button and turn the floorplate to the side. I t can be further disassembled but really no need. Compared to the functional US type mags it's quite the well done piece of work.

The "set" of the set trigger is set by that small screw. And IIRC the trigger guard will detach also. It's been a while since I set up mine but the whole unit can be removed, fiddled with for setting of either pull. Don't be disappointed if it takes a while to learn. Or, if it's fine as is leave them alone.

The swept back "in the white" bolt handle indicates the rifle was made for the US market rather than the European. Euro types have a straight down blued bolt. And you should see the Stoeger name on the floorplate.

Values on the older MS models (1950's) swings a bit and to be honest, most I see have a side mount scope attached and they range from well done to a homemade slab of metal. Whether a well done mount adds or detracts - I'm not sure one way or the other. I don't recall the exact chronology, but MS drilled & tapped two screw holes on the left rear of the bridge and later (1961 MC model I think) extended that factory work to the front ring. If it's "aftermarket" done I'd say that's a slight ding to value. I bought a set of Redfield mounts for a good price and am looking for a 61 to mount them on.

The rifle is an excellent buy and $1,200.00 is definitely on the low, low end. Especially considering the mount.

BTW, don't press that serrated brass button on the bolt rail when you have a magazine full of ammo.

Thank you for the excellent review! I found the magazine release and turned it, wow, talk about a neat design! The whole rifle screams quality and "Old-World" Craftsmanship!

Yes, the barrel does have the 57' stamped, indicated as you said, made in 1957.

How do you like your MS in .257Roberts? I've heard that is an excellent caliber for small-medium game (deer/Boar/etc)

I'm not sure if the Scope mount is aftermarket on not, if they only started coming drilled and tapped from the factory in 1961 I would assume mine is aftermarket. Regardless, whoever did an excellent job on mine, thankfully.

[Bainter1212]

When you find one of these....look carefully to make sure it is not a Greek sporter.

The Greek army used MS rifles starting in 1903, and the build quality is just as good as the commercial models (as far as the metal goes), so you will often see these sporterized. A guy on a budget could get a "poor man's Mannlicher" in this way.

I once owned a Greek MS.....it had the smoothest bolt I have ever seen, narrowly beating out the Krag. The machining on that bolt was a work of art. So is the rotary mag.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

[Divernhunter]

The rifle is nice.
I can help you about the 257R. I have one in a T/C Encore pistol and it is sweet. I got a Ruger M77 Tang safety in 257R for my daughter years ago. I can tell you it is excellent for deer/pigs. BUT that is short changing the round. She used it in Africa for Kudu, Red Hartebeest, Zebra which are larger animals and have a history of absorbing lead before going down to stay. They were all one shot kills just as well as my 338win mag. She also took warthogs(6+), Impala(3), and all were one shot no tracking kills also.
It will do fine for elk using proper bullets. Now that she took her rifle when she got married I am still looking for another tang safety Ruger M77 in 257R for myself.