I Never Thought I'd Buy a Hunting Rifle But....
- Thread starter Combloc1
- Start date
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Dr T
Member
I have long felt that when a rifle speaks to you, you are a fool not to listen.
It is truly a beautiful rifle. However, it may have inadvertently infected you with an incurable disease:. The feared collecting bug. You must now guard yourself from other classical beauties that want you to take them home.
It is truly a beautiful rifle. However, it may have inadvertently infected you with an incurable disease:. The feared collecting bug. You must now guard yourself from other classical beauties that want you to take them home.
lightman
Member
Thats a beautiful rifle. Enjoyed the writeup.
DocRock
member
Stunning. Congratulations.
OP
OP
Combloc1
Member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2017
- Messages
- 187
Thanks for the replies guys!
One of the things I enjoy most about this rifle is the hand checkering and the fact that it's still in such good shape is a testament to the value placed on this rifle by its former owner. I've seen checkering being applied in the past and it's a very laborious task; one that is only acquired with a generous helping of patience and experience.
The forend:
And the pistol grip:
Very nice!
The cheek rest shows nice detailing too. The way it is carved makes it look like a separate piece of walnut but it's not:
This rifle, the Model 1956, is the first one to sport the "Monte Carlo" style stock. If you do research on this model, you may read that the raised portion of the stock makes the iron sights unusable. That is not true. They work just fine. I think some people find this stock offensive because it was a change from the traditional design so they want to talk smack about it. The fact is, by the time this rifle was built, most hunters were using an optic so Steyr adopted this design to accommodate the new reality. It worked because when you pull this up to your shoulder, the scope comes perfectly to your eye.
Fortunately, the almost ubiquitous rubber butt pad was not installed and the original butt plate was retained:
I would not have bought this rifle had that been done. Some don't like that Steyr used the white line between the plate and the wood but that was in vogue at the time so they gave the customer what they thought was wanted. Personally, I think it's goofy (remember, I'm not a hunting rifle guy) but that's how it was made so that's how I want it.
More evidence of extended use is found on the tang behind the trigger guard:
While the trigger guard retains almost all of its deep blue finish, the tang has been worn to bare steel. Good stuff!!
I took the next two pictures to illustrate how perfectly the wood conforms to the profile of the steel:
I did not take the action out of the stock nor do I plan to but as far as I can tell, the barrel is free floated. Regardless, there is essentially no gap between the steel and the wood. Where one stops, the other begins. Under close scrutiny, you will find imperfections and evidence of hand fitting but the overall impression is that the builder really, really cared about his craft. In my view, the abundant evidence of the human hand at work is what really makes this rifle come alive.
The rear sight has two settings. 100 (I assume meters):
And 300:
Notice the fine stippling on the rear of the sight to reduce glare. The 300m sight cannot be flipped up with the scope mounted.
On the left side of the receiver, the stock is relieved for a bulge in the action:
Steyr did this in case the customer wished to use a side mount scope. If my research is correct, what you are looking at is a removeable steel plate. With the plate removed, the stock is now relieved so that you can drill and tap the action for a side mount scope mount. Stoeger sold several options or you could provide your own. As already illustrated, the original owner of this rifle opted for the factory installed quick disconnect option instead. Below is a page from the Stoeger catalog of that time illustrating the mount used on this rifle:
When the Mannlicher Schoenauer was originally designed, it used a typical flag safety which was so common at the time. This safety worked well and was a fine design element as it both blocked the striker from falling and locked the action closed. However, it was useless with an optic because unless the scope was raised abnormally high, the safety would impact the rear bell housing on the scope, preventing the user from applying the safety. On rifles made prior to WWII this was not really an issue as the vast majority of hunters used the supplied iron sights. After WWII, the landscape changed and optic became the norm. Rather than completely redesign the bolt assembly, Steyr simply added a second safety in the form of a trigger block and they mounted it on the right rear of the receiver.
Here, we see the scope removed and both safety applied:
In practice, both would never be applied. In fact, with the addition of the trigger block safety, I assume that most people would consider the bolt mounted one as something of an appendix; something that exists but has no real use anymore. Whatever the case, notice that the flag safety has a red "S" on it. This lets the user know that the safety has been applied. Also notice that the receiver mounted safety has two red dots; one on the lever and one on the receiver. When both are lined up, the safety is disengaged.
Here, we see that both safeties are disengaged:
Keep in mind that this is NOT a Mauser action. On the Mauser, the safety flag has three positions. When pointing to the left, the safety is disengaged. When pointing to the right, it is engaged. When pointing straight up, the bolt can easily be disassembled. On the Mannlicher design, there is no pointing up for disassembly position. There is only left (fire) and right (safe). Without going into unnecessary detail, the picture below should clearly illustrate that the Mannlicher bolt design on this rifle is considerably different than the typical Mauser design:
Going back to the previous picture, notice that the top of the bolt assembly is stippled to reduce glare. Steyr was doing everything possible to assist the hunter in putting meat on the table:
We're nearing the end of this mini tutorial but I want to take a quick look at the front of the rifle because it's perhaps my most favorite part. It's an interesting combination of futuristic and traditional. It's sitting still but it also looks like it's going a million miles per hour. It's sleek and classy. It's just wonderful:
Dig that nose cap. Dig that sight hood. Dig that bare steel crown. Dig that European Walnut extending all the way to the muzzle. Dig that Austrian perfection! There is just soooo much to love here and nothing to hate!!
Another view showing the front sight form the rear:
Note the checkering on the sight ramp to reduce glare and the bare steel site blade with rounded finale. Steyr.....classy to the last. I paid $1130 out the door for this rifle. I have absolutely no idea of the market value for this rifle but I consider that price a steal when I consider the modern cost of producing such a fine rifle. If you think I paid too much, let me ask you, what would a new rifle produced today cost with this level of craftsmanship and attention to detail? I guarantee you it would be considerably more than what I paid! That fact alone is enough to satisfy me with regards to this purchase,
We'll finish up with the scope. It's a Weaver K4-F. As far as I can tell, this unit was made from 1960-69. While made in USA, the F model represents a slow decline in Quality from Weaver. Still, it's considered to be a first class unit for its day and cost around $37-40 when made. It must not be too badly constructed because it's still crystal clear after all these years and judging by its patina, I assume it's been on this rifle since it was new.
The markings on the body:
And the duplex reticle:
It's a simple 4x design without all the modern and fancy range finding and bullet drop compensators. As Obi Wan would say....."A more elegant weapon......for a more.....civilized age". You set it to the range you expected your game to be at and used Kentucky windage from there. This is the world I understand. Today, this same scope sells for about $75. The world has moved on to much more intricate designs. We are much worse off for it and I weep when I bring it to mind.
Okieodkie, that's all for now. I hope you have enjoyed this short trip down memory lane. Today, this rifle is a derelict and pointless design. But todays thinking is wrong. In my eyes, it represents something completely different. It represents a time before automated machinery......a time when craftsmen mattered and the human hand held sway over the future. To me, the Steyr Model 1956 represents Tradition, Quality and Craftsmanship. It represents a time now past yet necessary if we are to have a future worth living in. It represents Hope.
As always, thank you Mom for providing me with the tools necessary for making sense of the life I'm living. Thank you for loving me and thank you for caring what I became as a man. Thank you for being you!! And to the reader, thank you for your time and attention. May God bless you and keep you from harm. May He guide you to the light at the end of this life and may He provide for all your future endeavors.
One of the things I enjoy most about this rifle is the hand checkering and the fact that it's still in such good shape is a testament to the value placed on this rifle by its former owner. I've seen checkering being applied in the past and it's a very laborious task; one that is only acquired with a generous helping of patience and experience.
The forend:
And the pistol grip:
Very nice!
The cheek rest shows nice detailing too. The way it is carved makes it look like a separate piece of walnut but it's not:
This rifle, the Model 1956, is the first one to sport the "Monte Carlo" style stock. If you do research on this model, you may read that the raised portion of the stock makes the iron sights unusable. That is not true. They work just fine. I think some people find this stock offensive because it was a change from the traditional design so they want to talk smack about it. The fact is, by the time this rifle was built, most hunters were using an optic so Steyr adopted this design to accommodate the new reality. It worked because when you pull this up to your shoulder, the scope comes perfectly to your eye.
Fortunately, the almost ubiquitous rubber butt pad was not installed and the original butt plate was retained:
I would not have bought this rifle had that been done. Some don't like that Steyr used the white line between the plate and the wood but that was in vogue at the time so they gave the customer what they thought was wanted. Personally, I think it's goofy (remember, I'm not a hunting rifle guy) but that's how it was made so that's how I want it.
More evidence of extended use is found on the tang behind the trigger guard:
While the trigger guard retains almost all of its deep blue finish, the tang has been worn to bare steel. Good stuff!!
I took the next two pictures to illustrate how perfectly the wood conforms to the profile of the steel:
I did not take the action out of the stock nor do I plan to but as far as I can tell, the barrel is free floated. Regardless, there is essentially no gap between the steel and the wood. Where one stops, the other begins. Under close scrutiny, you will find imperfections and evidence of hand fitting but the overall impression is that the builder really, really cared about his craft. In my view, the abundant evidence of the human hand at work is what really makes this rifle come alive.
The rear sight has two settings. 100 (I assume meters):
And 300:
Notice the fine stippling on the rear of the sight to reduce glare. The 300m sight cannot be flipped up with the scope mounted.
On the left side of the receiver, the stock is relieved for a bulge in the action:
Steyr did this in case the customer wished to use a side mount scope. If my research is correct, what you are looking at is a removeable steel plate. With the plate removed, the stock is now relieved so that you can drill and tap the action for a side mount scope mount. Stoeger sold several options or you could provide your own. As already illustrated, the original owner of this rifle opted for the factory installed quick disconnect option instead. Below is a page from the Stoeger catalog of that time illustrating the mount used on this rifle:
When the Mannlicher Schoenauer was originally designed, it used a typical flag safety which was so common at the time. This safety worked well and was a fine design element as it both blocked the striker from falling and locked the action closed. However, it was useless with an optic because unless the scope was raised abnormally high, the safety would impact the rear bell housing on the scope, preventing the user from applying the safety. On rifles made prior to WWII this was not really an issue as the vast majority of hunters used the supplied iron sights. After WWII, the landscape changed and optic became the norm. Rather than completely redesign the bolt assembly, Steyr simply added a second safety in the form of a trigger block and they mounted it on the right rear of the receiver.
Here, we see the scope removed and both safety applied:
In practice, both would never be applied. In fact, with the addition of the trigger block safety, I assume that most people would consider the bolt mounted one as something of an appendix; something that exists but has no real use anymore. Whatever the case, notice that the flag safety has a red "S" on it. This lets the user know that the safety has been applied. Also notice that the receiver mounted safety has two red dots; one on the lever and one on the receiver. When both are lined up, the safety is disengaged.
Here, we see that both safeties are disengaged:
Keep in mind that this is NOT a Mauser action. On the Mauser, the safety flag has three positions. When pointing to the left, the safety is disengaged. When pointing to the right, it is engaged. When pointing straight up, the bolt can easily be disassembled. On the Mannlicher design, there is no pointing up for disassembly position. There is only left (fire) and right (safe). Without going into unnecessary detail, the picture below should clearly illustrate that the Mannlicher bolt design on this rifle is considerably different than the typical Mauser design:
Going back to the previous picture, notice that the top of the bolt assembly is stippled to reduce glare. Steyr was doing everything possible to assist the hunter in putting meat on the table:
We're nearing the end of this mini tutorial but I want to take a quick look at the front of the rifle because it's perhaps my most favorite part. It's an interesting combination of futuristic and traditional. It's sitting still but it also looks like it's going a million miles per hour. It's sleek and classy. It's just wonderful:
Dig that nose cap. Dig that sight hood. Dig that bare steel crown. Dig that European Walnut extending all the way to the muzzle. Dig that Austrian perfection! There is just soooo much to love here and nothing to hate!!
Another view showing the front sight form the rear:
Note the checkering on the sight ramp to reduce glare and the bare steel site blade with rounded finale. Steyr.....classy to the last. I paid $1130 out the door for this rifle. I have absolutely no idea of the market value for this rifle but I consider that price a steal when I consider the modern cost of producing such a fine rifle. If you think I paid too much, let me ask you, what would a new rifle produced today cost with this level of craftsmanship and attention to detail? I guarantee you it would be considerably more than what I paid! That fact alone is enough to satisfy me with regards to this purchase,
We'll finish up with the scope. It's a Weaver K4-F. As far as I can tell, this unit was made from 1960-69. While made in USA, the F model represents a slow decline in Quality from Weaver. Still, it's considered to be a first class unit for its day and cost around $37-40 when made. It must not be too badly constructed because it's still crystal clear after all these years and judging by its patina, I assume it's been on this rifle since it was new.
The markings on the body:
And the duplex reticle:
It's a simple 4x design without all the modern and fancy range finding and bullet drop compensators. As Obi Wan would say....."A more elegant weapon......for a more.....civilized age". You set it to the range you expected your game to be at and used Kentucky windage from there. This is the world I understand. Today, this same scope sells for about $75. The world has moved on to much more intricate designs. We are much worse off for it and I weep when I bring it to mind.
Okieodkie, that's all for now. I hope you have enjoyed this short trip down memory lane. Today, this rifle is a derelict and pointless design. But todays thinking is wrong. In my eyes, it represents something completely different. It represents a time before automated machinery......a time when craftsmen mattered and the human hand held sway over the future. To me, the Steyr Model 1956 represents Tradition, Quality and Craftsmanship. It represents a time now past yet necessary if we are to have a future worth living in. It represents Hope.
As always, thank you Mom for providing me with the tools necessary for making sense of the life I'm living. Thank you for loving me and thank you for caring what I became as a man. Thank you for being you!! And to the reader, thank you for your time and attention. May God bless you and keep you from harm. May He guide you to the light at the end of this life and may He provide for all your future endeavors.
The old Weavers are cool time pieces.
A 4x is a 4x and entirely usable.
However, for field use, something newer might be a bit less risky.
The Duplex reticle can be used as a rangefinder and the lower post tip a second aiming point.
Suppose one could even use the top post too.
I never have.
Just use the intersect and then play around and find the drop to correspond to the lower tip.
A 4x is a 4x and entirely usable.
However, for field use, something newer might be a bit less risky.
The Duplex reticle can be used as a rangefinder and the lower post tip a second aiming point.
Suppose one could even use the top post too.
I never have.
Just use the intersect and then play around and find the drop to correspond to the lower tip.
4X was on my RSI, and a 4X sits on my 760.
Have a 2-7X duplex on a .22 rifle, but I leave it at 4X.
4X is almost too much up close, and almost not enough out a ways.
Its almost perfect
If you shoot both eyes open, they work pretty good as an all arounder.
As for the comment about the gorgeous rifle's stock...........don't euro folks shoot more heads up....
a chin weld more than a cheek weld?
Might be why some didn't care for the height while others find it acceptable.
Have a 2-7X duplex on a .22 rifle, but I leave it at 4X.
4X is almost too much up close, and almost not enough out a ways.
Its almost perfect
If you shoot both eyes open, they work pretty good as an all arounder.
As for the comment about the gorgeous rifle's stock...........don't euro folks shoot more heads up....
a chin weld more than a cheek weld?
Might be why some didn't care for the height while others find it acceptable.
I like good wood and classic lines, but don't move as well as I used to.
All my stuff now wears synthetic.
Because its gonna take some dings afield. Or in and out of the safe (grrrrrrrrrrrrrr).
Don't mistake a lack of coordination for a lack of sophistication LOL
All my stuff now wears synthetic.
Because its gonna take some dings afield. Or in and out of the safe (grrrrrrrrrrrrrr).
Don't mistake a lack of coordination for a lack of sophistication LOL
Love the old Weaver El Paso scopes, have several on Marlin rifles. Never had a problem with them and most of my several were purchased new by my father in the day.
Beautiful rifle with interesting quirks like the dual safety (hmmm, kinda like Marlin, ). Thank you for sharing the photos OP. Whoever owned that rifle was professional, it was clearly carried and used a lot but also well cared for. It appears to have no deficit to operation and is 100% ready to go into action. Very nice find.
Beautiful rifle with interesting quirks like the dual safety (hmmm, kinda like Marlin,
). Thank you for sharing the photos OP. Whoever owned that rifle was professional, it was clearly carried and used a lot but also well cared for. It appears to have no deficit to operation and is 100% ready to go into action. Very nice find.
adcoch1
Member
You stole it! Easily worth that, anything comparable new would be several thousand and wouldn't have the honest wear yours has, which just adds beauty in my opinion. What a beautiful rifle!
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