Original Austrian Mannlicher M95/30 Stutzen Conversion Carbine by Œ.W.G. Steyr with Sling – dated 1897 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is really rare, a PRE-1899 MANNLICHER M95/30 Stutzen Carbine made at Œ.W.G. STEYR in Austria! The vast majority of these Carbines were made in the 1900’s and are therefore POST-1898 and require an FFL. This example however is is clearly dated 1897 on the receiver! It was imported into the U.S. by C.A.I. (CENTURY ARMS INTERNATIONAL) of Georgia, VT. Not realizing that this particular Carbine was in fact an ANTIQUE, it bears the Import Markings normally found on a Post 1898 firearm on the right side of the receiver, and under the muzzle of the barrel.

The Mannlicher M1895 (German: Infanterie Repetier-Gewehr M.95, Hungarian: Gyalogsági Ismétlő Puska M95; “Infantry Repeating-Rifle M95”) is a bolt-action rifle, designed by Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher that used a refined version of his revolutionary straight-pull action bolt, much like the Mannlicher M1890 carbine. It was nicknamed the Ruck-Zu(rü)ck (German slang for “back and forth”) by Austrian troops and “Ta-Pum” by Italian troops who even wrote a song about it during World War I.

The Mannlicher M1895 was originally made in Rifle, Stutzen (Short Rifle/Carbine), Carbine, and Sniper Rifle variants. The design was quite robust, and had a long service life of almost 50 years. It was a reliable, accurate and hard hitting rifle that was well liked by the troops who carried it. Moreover, it boasted one of the fastest actions ever devised for a manually operated rifle.

Originally they were chambered for the round-nosed 8×50mmR cartridge, but almost all were rechambered to accept the more powerful spitzer 8×56mmR cartridge in the 1930s. This example is an M95/30, which was a conversion in the First Austrian Republic by Steyr-Mannlicher during 1930–1940. These rifles carry the letter S meaning Spitzer stamped on the barrel. Main modification was the rechambering to 8×56mmR cartridge. Other changes were the conversion of ladder sights from the older pace unit to meters and addition of a brass front sight protector. Many long rifles were cut down to Stutzen length. Most of M95/30s were sent to Bulgaria during 1938–40, where front sight protectors were removed, as this one has been.

This example is marked STEYR / M.95 over the chamber, and has a very low serial number of 6121 stamped on the barrel, receiver, bolt, stock, and front barrel band. Condition is very nice, with lots of the original blue finish remaining, though it was doubtless refinished at Steyr when it was converted. The stock has great grain do it, and is solid with no major damage or dents. It is worn somewhat, which gives it a great look and comfortable feel. The bore shows a bright finish with clear lands and grooves, but they are a bit rounded, so this is a rifle that saw some service, though not a lot.

The included dark brown leather sling is definitely well broken in, but still solid. It has a bit of cracking, but is solid and supple.

In fine overall condition, very rare to find an ANTIQUE example of this model rifle. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1897 – converted c.1930-1940
Caliber: 8×56mmR
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 19 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 39 1/2 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 5 round En-bloc clip