Mannlicher-Schoenauer 1903 carbine

http://www.mannlicher.org/newsletter.htm

The Mannlicher-Schoenauer 1903 rifle or carbine was one of the first bolt action rifles heavily marketed to hunters. It was a fast, short, light handling carbine made by exquisite craftmen. It was exclusively chambered in 6.5x54mm for the first 45 years of production. The Mannlicher-Schoenauer 1903 rifle and carbine is normally found to be full of high end features such as exquisitely grained wood, fine checkering, and engravings on the metal portions of the gun. While there was a factory option for a single trigger, most of these rifles were made with double-set triggers, but then most people buying this high end rifle would be willing to spend extra for that feature.

These rifles were also commmonly found with a full length stock. This style of stock when used by other gun makers is termed 'mannlicher'. The butter-knife bolt handle is not totally exclusive to the Mannlicher-Schoenauer 1903 carbine, but it is a key identifying feature. This bolt handle is situated a bit further forward than normal, but this was due to the rifle's short-stroke design. This feature made the gun very fast firing.

The carbine version had a 17.7 inch barrel, and even full length stock models weighted only 5 1/2 lbs. Even though the firearm was quite expensive, it's light weight and quality made it very popular. Kilimanjaro Bell, the famed Ivory Hunter, was quite fond of his little Mannlicher-Schoenauer. Another fan of this handy fast hunting carbine was Ernest Hemmingway, who included the rifle by name in his short story The Short, Happy Life of Francis Macomber

The following text on the history of the Mannlicher-Schoendauer is from this source. Supposedly this custom gunshop is being run by the last apprentice of the famed Mannlicher-Schoenauer http://www.eschoder.com/english/englisch-reload.htm?/english/english-jagd-gewehr-waffen.htm

At the beginning of the 20th century, the two Weapon makers Karl Ritter von Mannlicher and Schönauer developed the 1903 model of the “Mannlicher-Schönauer” repeater hunting carbine, which became world-famous during its 70-year production period. The most important development in the area of hunting rifles in the last quarter of the 19th century was the introduction of the smokeless propellant powder and,in connection with this, the development off small calibre jacketed bullet cartridges.

In 1903, the legendary “Mannlicher Schönauer” came onto the market: it was a very modern repeater rifle for those days, which may undoubtedly be regarded as a sensational event in hunting weapon production. This model, shafted in one, and equipped with a barrel only 45 cm long, was to become world-famous. It became an extremely popular weapon among high mountain hunters, due to being so easy to handly.

Throughout the rest of the Danube region, the Carpathian Mountains and even Africa, the “Mannlicher-Schönauer” likewise became a household name among hunters. It was used to hunt powerful Carpathian stags, bears, wild boar and, in Africa, even big game – including elephants. One must remember, however, that at the time when this weapon and cartridges were introduced, rifles were used almost exclusively without telescopic sights – i. e. with the naked eye.