The Mannlicher-Schönauer 1961-MCA Carbine
By Chuck Hawks
Jan 08, 2018 Half stock rifle with takedow. $649.95Mannlicher-Schoenauer 1903/14 6.5x54 MS caliber carbine. Produced in the 1930's for the Greek Military. Matching serial numbers (R13968). Mannlicher-Schoenauer 1903/14 6.5x54 MS caliber carbine. Mannlicher-Schoenauers and their proprietary cartridges have lived in a world of song and story for over 110 years, and they are still going strong in 2010 as can be discerned by the advent of the.376 Steyr in the 1990s and the addition of the impressive.450. As you can imagine, he appreciated a good weapon. In addition to the Mannlicher, he passed down a Remington Model 51.380, serial number 13597 which indicates it was made in 1918 or 19, I believe. I also have his Winchester Model 62.22, serial number 19697. Serial number look up on it indicates it was made in 1935.
- MANNLICHER SCHOENAUER. Location: Steyr, Austria. Model 1956 Carbine Model 1961 MCA Rifle Model 1961 MCA Carbine.
- Mannlicher-Schoenauers and their proprietary cartridges have lived in a world of. Various models of commercial Mannlicher-Schoenauer rifles and carbines. The number marked on the barrel and receiver in line with the proof marks is the. Make: Mannlicher Schoenauer. Serial #: 49,345. Caliber: 338 Win Magnum.
The world famous line of Mannlicher-Schönauer hunting riflesand carbines, designed by Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher and Otto Schönauer,began with the Model 1903 and were produced until 1971. Throughout this time,the exclusive rights to manufacture and sell Mannlicher-Schönauer rifles wereowned by Steyr, the prestigious Austrian gun making concern.
The eventual demise of what had been called 'TheWorld's Finest Rifle' was brought about by a rapid rise in the cost ofmanufacture during the 1960's, particularly the cost of the hours of hand laborrequired to manufacture these rifles. In addition, the proliferation oftelescopic sights after the end of the Second World War negatively affected thepopularity of Mannlicher-Schönauer rifles. Although both Steyr and Stoeger,their US importer, made every effort to downplay it in their advertising, thefact is that these rifles can be awkward to scope. The position of the bolt handleand the split rear receiver ring that help to make the action operate so smoothlyalso prevent the use of conventional, top mounted, scope bases.
The Mannlicher-Schönauer bolt action repeaters wereimproved, without changing the basic design, many times during their long productionlife. Recognized models include the Model 1903, Model 1905, Model 1908, Model1910, Model 1924 (High Velocity Sporting Rifle), Model 1950, Model 1952, Model1956-MC, Magnum Rifle and Model 1961-MCA. In addition, there were variations ofall of these and special European models. Through it all, the two most significantfeatures remained the Mannlicher turn-bolt action and the Schönauer rotary drummagazine. (Hence the name, 'Mannlicher-Schönauer.') From 1903 untilcivilian production was interrupted prior to the beginning of WW II, the German Mauser Model 98 andthe Austrian Mannlicher-Schönauer were the preeminent bolt action hunting rifles in the world.
The most typical of Mannlicher-Schönauers is the famouscarbine with its signature full length stock (see photo above) and carbineswere built from 1903 onward. Steyr Mannlicher still offers this style ofcarbine today, although built on an entirely different action.
The Model 1956-MC had a high, Monte Carlo comb intended for use with telescopic sights that effectively prevented the use of the supplied iron sights. This high comb drew complaints from traditionalists. A much more modest Monte Carlo comb, designed for use with both iron and telescopic sights, was introduced in the final Model 1961-MCA, the Carbine version of which is the subject of this article. (MCA stands for 'Monte Carlo All-purpose.')
Another minor change was moving the auxiliary safety from the right rear of the receiver to a slider on the top tang. The 1961-MCA was drilled and tapped for Redfield SR-MS scope bases (finally!). Otherwise, the1956 and 1961 models were identical. Even the change in the Model 1961-MCA safety was not immediate and early Model 1961-MCA rifles retained the old style safety. 1961-MCA Carbines were madeuntil the production of all Mannlicher-Schönauer rifles was discontinued in 1971.
The Model 1961-MCA Carbine was initially chambered for avariety of cartridges, including .243 Winchester, 6.5x54mm M-S, 7x57 Mauser,.270 Winchester, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield and .358 Winchester. Thelatter is probably the rarest caliber. By 1971 the caliber selection had been reduced to .270 and .30-06.
Barrel length was 20' in all calibers except 6.5x54, which was supplied with an 18-1/4' barrel. MCACarbines had a removable side plate to accommodate Steyr or other side mounts for scopes. Open ironsights were provided. The external metal finish was a highly polished blue withthe bolt left in the white. Approximate weight was 7-1/2 pounds.
The standard trigger mechanism was an adjustable, single stage 'shotgun' type, butthe optional double-set trigger was more popular. Other available optionsincluded upgraded wood, stock carving, engraving and inlays. In 1966-1967 theMSRP for a standard grade MCA Carbine was $219.95 with single trigger or$229.95 with the optional double-set trigger.
Mannlicher Schoenauer Rifle Serial Numbers 22
The Alpine Carbine was a fancier version of the standard Carbine that filled the gap between it and the custom built Premier Grade. It was available in calibers .243 and .30-06 only. The Alpine Carbine came with an engraved bolt handle and deep relief stock carving in an oak leaf pattern in place of conventional checkering. The walnut stockwas specially selected. In all other respects, the Alpine Carbine was identicalto the standard Carbine. The 1967 MSRP was $405 with single trigger or $415with a double-set trigger.
The Mannlicher-Schönauer bolt action was unique and quite different inexecution than the usual Mauser based design, although the two shared important functionalattributes. It was a controlled round feeding design with an open top receiver. The front locking, cock on openingbolt incorporated dual locking lugs spaced for a 90 degree bolt rotation andthe root of the 'butterknife' bolt handle served as a third 'safety' locking lug The barreledaction was bedded in a one-piece stock.
The extractor is a spring-loaded claw assembly inletted into the bolt in front of the lower (when the bolt is closed) locking lug. The ejector rides over the upper locking lug in a dovetail at the front of the bolt and is activated by the force with which it hits the bolt stop (which is part of the bolt release at the left rear of the receiver) at the end of the bolt's rearward travel. This unique extraction/ejection system does not require splitting the locking lug, as does a Mauser ejector.
The unique spooned bolt handle was mounted in the middleof the bolt, rather than at the rear. When the bolt was drawn rearward, the bolthandle passed through a slot in the rear receiver ring. This prevented thebinding and bolt wobble common to Mauser pattern actions when the bolt is fullyrearward and partially explains why the Mannlicher action was so silkysmooth. The split rear receiver also made scope mounting more difficult, butthat was not a consideration in 1903. The Mannlicher bolt could be disassembledwithout tools in less than 10 seconds.
The magazine could be removed from the bottom of therifle by using a bullet tip to depress the recessed magazine release located near the front of the floorplate; then rotate the floorplate 90-degrees and pull the magazine from the bottom of the rifle. The entire Mannlicher-Schoenauer operating system could be taken apart for cleaning or repair in a flash.
Cartridges were fed from a detachable Schönauer rotary drummagazine, perhaps the best magazine system ever designed for a bolt actionrifle. This five-round magazine held the cartridges individually and separatefrom each other. Cartridges were positively retained in the magazine to preventdamaging the bullet tips. The magazine was filled by pressing the cartridgesinto the magazine from the top and loading was easier than with an internal boxmagazine. The magazine's rotating cartridge platform carried the cartridgesconcentrically around a central drum. The top cartridge in the magazine wasplaced directly under the bolt and exactly in line with the chamber for slick,positive feeding.
All of the cartridges in the magazine could be unloadedwithout cycling them through the action by depressing a button located in theupper right receiver wall, just to the right of the bolt. When this button waspressed, the cartridges remaining in the magazine were ejected out the top of the action.
Another benefit of the Schönauer rotary magazine is that itdid not have a follower to drag on the underside of the bolt when themagazine is empty. This is what allowed the rifle's fully open bolt to close and lock merely by holding the trigger backand swinging the muzzle down, a neat trick that no other bolt action rifle could duplicate.
The standard trigger was a single-stage mechanism adjustedat the factory for a crisp 4.5 pound pull. It was user adjustable if you preferred alighter or heavier release.
Most M-S Carbines were sold with the optional double-settrigger. (In 1966 this cost an extra $10.) This mechanism had two triggers, likea double-barreled shotgun. However, only the front trigger fired the rifle. You couldsimply ignore the rear trigger and pull the front trigger to fire the rifle. Used in this manner, the front trigger pull was heavy (around nine pounds) and hadnoticeable (but smooth) creep before let-off, much like some of today's lawyer inspired triggers.
The sole purpose of the rear trigger was to set the fronttrigger for an exceptionally light release. If desired, the shooter could pull the back trigger until it clicked to 'set'the front trigger; then the rifle could be fired by a very light touch on the fronttrigger. There was a small regulating screw located between the triggers to adjustthe 'set' trigger pull between zero and three ounces!
Firing the rifle unset the trigger. If the rifle was not fired after the front trigger had been set, the trigger could be un-set by holding the rear trigger all the way back and lightly pulling the front trigger until all of the the take-up was removed, then releasing the rear trigger and finally releasing the front trigger. This returned the front trigger to a normal (unset) pull. To unset the front trigger in this way, do not pull the front trigger past the take-up stage or the rifle will fire. Stoeger warned its customers that this last 'trick' should be practiced on an empty chamber until it was thoroughly understood.
Alternatively, put either safety in the 'safe' position and press the front trigger. This unsets the trigger without firing the rifle.
A third method is to open the bolt part way and press the set front trigger. This also serves to unset the trigger. Note that any of these methods unsets the front trigger, but the striker is still cocked and the rifle can still be fired by pulling the unset front trigger.
MCA Carbines came with two completely independent safeties. The first was a traditional wing safety at the rear end of thebolt that locked the striker. Unfortunately, a low mounted scope could block the rotation of this safety, preventing its use. The second safety was intended for use withlow-mounted telescopic sights and blocked the trigger. This was engaged by a slider mounted on the top tang.
Mannlicher Schoenauer Rifle Serial Numbers Chart
The barrel incorporated an integral sleeve that extended back and enclosedthe head of the bolt. This was a strong design intended to protect theshooter. The controlled feed bolt face was not recessed to enclose the cartridge head. The lands andgrooves inside the barrel were lapped to a mirror finish at the factory.Externally, the barrel tapered all the way to the muzzle and incorporated three visible steps.
Iron sights were standard on all M-S rifles. These consistedof a hooded, silver bead, ramp front sight and a two-leaf, open rear sight with a 'U' shaped notch. The shorter leaf was supposed to be regulated for 100-200 yards and the taller (folding) leaf for 300 yards. Both sights weremounted in standard dovetails and could be drifted laterally to adjust forwindage. There was no elevation adjustment beyond the different heights of therear blades--in effect two elevation steps. The top of the front receiver ring,as well as the front sight ramp, were carefully stippled to reduce glare.
Carbines were supplied with traditional'Mannlicher' full length stocks. The purpose of the full length stockwas to protect the barrel and prevent its contacting a hard surface when therifle was fired over an impromptu rest. It also gave the rifle a verydistinctive and racy appearance and this style of stock became known generically as a'Mannlicher stock.' Steyr still produces a Classic Mannlicher Full Stock Carbine, but it is not based on theMannlicher-Schönauer action. (See the Product Review page for a review of the modern Steyr Mannlicher carbine).
M-S stocks were typically made from select, European thin-shell walnut. There werebordered, hand checkered panels on both sides of the pistol grip andwrap-around checkering on the forend. The pistol grip cap and buttplate of theModel 1961-MCA were black plastic and both were set-off by white line spacers.The forend cap at the muzzle was blued steel.
The MCA stock design incorporated a moderate Monte Carlo comb. This was sloped slightly forward to move the comb away from the face during recoil. On the left side of the buttstock was a European style, shadow line cheekpiece. The pistol grip had a smooth, natural curve. Unlike most production rifles, the M-S stock was commendably slender at pistol grip and forend. Both were oval shaped in cross-section. Deluxe, quiet, 1' sling swivels were included.
The Mannlicher 1961-MCA Carbine fed cartridges smoothlyand reliably from its Schönauer spool magazine. It was also unusually easyto load and unload. These little carbines were well balanced, easy to carry,fast to point and accurate. Their short length and elegant stock designdefinitely contributed to their lasting appeal. For many years, Steyr advertisedthe Mannlicher-Schönauer as the 'World's Finest Rifle.' Although they are basically a 110 year old design that has beenout of production for over 40 years, legions of admirers think they still are.
Note: A full length review of a Mannlicher-Schönauer 1961-MCA carbine can be found on the Product Reviews page.
Mannlicher Schoenauer Serial Number Date
A Mannlicher IntroductionMannlicher-Schoenauers and their proprietary cartridges have lived in a world of song and story since 1903, and they are still going strong today as can be discerned by the advent of the .376 Steyr in the 1990s and the addition of the impressive .450 Marlin to the product line in the early 2000s. Traditional interest remains high concerning the 6.5x54mm Mannlicher-Schoenauer of 1903, the 8x56mm Mannlicher-Schoenauer of 1908, and the 9.5x57mm Mannlicher-Schoenauer of 1910, even in this day of high velocity ammunition, new stubby magnums and high intensity cartridges. So, what is the mystique of the Mannlicher that keeps these 110 year old firearms in the sporting interest? A writer can launch himself into page upon page of superlatives, legends, old hunting tales, personalities, and notorieties, such as Bell, Taylor, Stigand, Hemingway, and Sheldon, but, the mission of describing the mystique of the Mannlicher remains elusive, for there will always be one more incident, one more person, or one more characteristic to describe and discuss. After all, with so many years to develop an intense following from a world often populated with intense and energetic people, the chance for a specific firearm to gain a famous and peculiar niche in history is only natural. This commentary is not intended to be a historical account of the Mannlicher-Schoenauer (M-S) and Steyr-Mannlicher (S-M) cartridges, but rather a listing of the cartridges chambered for these rifles and a description of the assorted models for information purposes, nor does this writer profess to describe every variation of these Steyr rifles and carbines, as the factory continually produced uncatalogued limited production runs for special customers. Various models of commercial Mannlicher-Schoenauer rifles and carbines were officially manufactured at the Steyr factory in Austria from 1900 to 1968, with clean up production adding approximately two years (1969 and 1970) of additional production to the noted manufacture dates. It may be argued that the origination dates should be extended into the early 1890s, as far as cartridges go, for the 6.5x53mmR, rimmed, was indeed the first of the famous 6.5mm Mannlicher rounds to be sold commercially. However, these earlier rifles did not utilize the rotary magazine for which the Mannlicher-Schoenauer and Steyr-Mannlicher firearms are famous. What then, are the “Mannlicher-Schoenauer” cartridges? The pure Mannlicher-Schoenauer proprietary cartridges as chambered in the firearms of the SteyrWerke are as follows, (1) 6.5x54mm M-S of 1903, (2) 9x56mm M-S of 1905, (3) 8x56mm M-S of 1908, (4) 9.5x56mm M-S of 1910 (more on the names of this cartridge in its own section.) Other cartridges that are reputed to be Mannlicher, such as the 9.3x57mm, 10.75x57mm and 10.75x68mm, are more likely Mauser developments and rarely if ever seen in the M-S or S-M. The 9.3x57mm and 10.75x57mm being mentioned largely because some sources believe they were once Steyr cartridges, although specimens of such rifles have yet to emerge. The total listing of known chamberings for M-S and S-M is given in Table 1, with an additional list of chamberings for the pre-M-S style firearms of 1890s vintage. Please note that this listing may not be all inclusive, as new chamberings for all models continue to appear, some catalogued and some uncatalogued. Now to examine the Mannlicher-Schoenauers and their cartridges. The original 6.5mm examples are interesting because of the difference and compatibility of the same. The 6.5x53.5mm Rimmed and the 6.5x54mm are the only example of a rimmed and rimless cartridge being loaded to the same performance level, something that probably explains the use of the 6.5mm Rimmed by explorers such as Charles Sheldon well into the twentieth century, when the more modern rimless 6.5x54mm was already well established. Somehow, I don’t believe that modern power or design ever entered into Sheldon’s mind. He wanted performance and CHEAP, and the 6.5x53.5mm rimmed gave both to him, there is no accounting for taste! On the other side of the coin, the 6.5x54mm was widely accepted by the hunting establishment when they discovered the potency of the long nosed 160 grain FMJ bullets when used upon dangerous game. Of course, a large part of this success was also related to the changes in firearms, marksmanship, and hunting styles as well. The changeover from big bore black powder arms, to the modern small bore power house rounds like the .375 H&H and the .416 Rigby was tantamount to a complete changing of the rules in Africa and India, with the highly effective Mannlicher successfully hanging on to the coat tails of the larger bore cartridges. The main feature of the Mannlicher was that the users of the Mannlicher had to be excellent marksmen to achieve the goals they wanted. The professionals, and indeed, these men were professional, did achieve their goals with the 6.5x54mm Mannlicher. Going past the 6.5x54mm, one starts to find another set of examples. The 8x56mm made a very successful image of itself in what a North American hunter would describe as a woods rifle, a bolt action .30-30 Winchester, and it did this work in both North America and in Europe. There’s not a lot to say about the 8x56mm, except that it was, and is, a superb deer rifle cartridge. The M1905 rifle in 9x56mm is another case. A rifle designed for heavier European game, although its use was just too insular to become a world class player. Instead, the 9x56mm seems to have been a popular Austrian item, with little service outside of that zone. The 9.5x56mm (9.5x57mm) provided another peculiar case. It is also known in England as the .375 Rimless Nitro Express 2 1/4, .375 Mannlicher and 9.5mm Mannlicher, but wait, there is another cartridge called the .375 Mannlicher Rimmed which is entirely different and made for the M1895 Sporting Mannlichers, just to muddy the waters a bit. Somehow this M1910 Mannlicher-Schoenauer became a de rigor firearm in a proper African safari suite of weapons. It was not an all around choice like a 9.3x62mm which was indeed its running mate in those early African days, but the rifles were light weight and inexpensive, which endeared them to the hunting fraternity. The 9.5mm could take any of the popular plains game antelope, and possibly a Lion if the shooter was proficient, and lucky. You can pick out the 9.5mm Mannlichers in the old movies by looking for the mannlicher stocked rifle with the BIG hole in the muzzle. They just stand out that way. Finally, the pre WWII Mannlicher-Schoenauer tops its chamberings with a Mauser product, the 10.75x68mm. I purchased one in 1972 and sold it off in 1974 because I could find no ammunition for it. A well-known gun dealer and often outspoken Mannlicher-Collector once even went on record that the M-S could never have been chambered in the cartridge. Too bad he did not explore the issue in more detail. The MCA archives have photos of a 10.75x68mm Model 1910 in Australia, and another has been reported floating about in collections in the Pacific Northwest. You can also see them for sale in the European version online gun auctions. See the Mannlicher characteristics section for a complete listing of catalogued chamberings. The Zephyr This is the very classic .22 long rifle version of the Mannlicher family, cataloged from 1954 to 1969, but don't look for it in The Shooter's Bible under any listing as a Zephyr. It was cataloged as the Steyr Custom .22 Carbine. As .22 rifles go, there is hardly a more comfortable or more accurate sporting .22 sporter than the Zephyr. Unfortunately, they arrived on the market to compete against Winchester and Remington rifles selling for far less, not to mention the H&Rs and Mossbergs of the day, thus the Zephyr is quite rare in the USA, and if you lose a magazine you are going to pay most dearly for a replacement, if ever you find one. Once the shooter does have the opportunity to handle and shoot a Zephyr, they are then stricken with a terrible case of 'I gotta have one!', it's a sad state of affairs. Fortunately Steyr introduced the Zephyr II line a few years ago in case you cannot get one of the old ones. Date of ManufactureMany people have contacted us to find out when their rifle was made. For Post WW-II models it is very easy. The number marked on the barrel and receiver in line with the proof marks is the two digit year of manufacture. For Pre WW-II models it is more difficult. Here is a link to some excerpts from TMC newsletters that hopefully will help you identify when your rifle was made. | About Mannlicher LinksMannlicher GalleryWorld famous Kynoch ammunition in various Mannlicher calibers. The British were very fond of Mannlicher rifles. Note the two bottom boxes are for rimmed and rimless chamberings. The Mannlicher being rimmed and the Mannlicher Schönauer being the rimless variety. |