Have been sniffin' around for a nice rifle for quite some time and I REALLY like the few Steyrs I've seen.

Information is proving to be a problem. For example, even at the (new) importer they can't tell me what's the difference between say an "L" and an "MCA". Nor can they tell me the difference between one that is brand new, and the older models.

Never mind about fair market value.

Can any of you shed a little light?

TIA

If the Mannlicher Collector's Association is still active, they may have a web page that can assist.

REALLY brief bit here......

"MCA" = Monte Carlo American, usually a split bridge action and an older variant that is post-war and actually a Mannlicher-Schoenauer, not a S/M per se.

This is the second series of rifles identified by this maker--the first series is listed by Model year--1903 usually a 6.5 x 54 M/S, 1905 in 9 x 56 M/S, 1908 usually in 8 x 56 M/S, 1910 in 9.5 x 56. This is from dim and aging memory, so if I got this wrong--mea culpa.

Second series is often denoted by the MCA descriptor you noted, and often has a year series included--these date from the 1950's and '60's.

The Steyr-Mannlichers you refer to are the most recent productions, and I recall seeing "L" and "SL" variant descriptors within this line--I don't know what they refer to, though. These rifles are NOT split bridge actions.

There were 3 lines imported into the USA--the SSG series, usually in 308 but a few 243's--these are superbly accurate military/police counter-sniper rifles. The Professional series were chambered in an array of American and European calibers, with matte finished metal and black synthetic stocks. The Luxus series were like the Professionals, but more highly refined and with walnut stocks that were SUPERB pieces of wood.

Gun South was the primary importer of of S/M rifles, and I'm not sure if they still do so. That might be another avenue of inquiry for you.

Our European contributors here have probably forgotten more than I know about these rifles. Having once owned a 1903 and a 1908, I wanted very much to get a Professional in 9.3 x 62, but did not do so before they became unavailable.

/

We could write volumes describing all the models of the last 100 years. Here are a few particulars:

1903-1969 All models read Mannlicher-Schoenauer and are control feed with a mauser style flag safety on the bolt. Post war American models have an additional side safety or tang safety (also found on late Euro models).

Pre-1924 models have a short action. Post 1924 models have a long action. They are 1903, 1905, 1908, 1910, 1924, High Velocity, 1950, 1952, 1956, 1961, MC, MCA, GK, NO. Rifles made during WWII will read "Made in Germany."

1970-present All models read Steyr-Mannlicher and are push feed with various style safeties.

Okay, you have asked a large question.
First the Steyr-Mannlicher Sporter (mfg 1968-1996) exists in 4 different action sizes, shortest is SL (.222, 223 class) short is L (.22-250, .243 .308), then the M which is .30-06 sized and has a real herd of calibers(US and metric), and finally the S or magnum size. The S is the least common, as you might imagine. All four use the same style stock, exist in single and double set triggers, half stock and full stock, and all have the peculiar hammer rifling patterns on the barrel.

By contrast, the Mannlicher-Schoenauer is a far older style, made from 1903 to 1970, and went thru several models before stabilizing with the M1924, which became the M1950, and at last became the 1961 MCA. Strongest actions are 1924 onward. The M-S has a split bridge action and the smoothest bolt movement ever. It is also a pain to mount a scope on if you cannot find the right mounts (The special Redfield and Griffin & Howe seem the best) For collectors, the M-S is the most popular, although as a rule of thumb, the S-M Sporter is far more accurate, being about the only rifle around that is capable of half inch groups out of the box.

The old importer of the Steyr product line was GSI, in Alabama. They were replaced in 2001 by Dynamit-Nobel USA, which is in New Jersey. Now, DN has no parts for the Sporter, being entirely involved with new products. There is a parts outfit in Iowa, but they are just getting started with Steyr.

The Steyr Sporter is an excellent choice for a hunting rifle. Your problem is going to be cost. People are trying to reclaim their own costs from buying Steyrs in the 1990s when their prices were astronomical. In truth, the Steyr is no more than a Winchester or Ruger, and should be priced accordingly with only the custom models like the SSG, Jagdmatch, and Luxus drawing high dollar. I have bought and sold a couple of Steyr's recently, and I will give you the prices as an example of real world sales, not the dreamlands that are out there, a NIB SL .222 fullstock carbine, sold at $900, a used excellent .222 fullstock carbine sold at $500, an as new M1952 .270 WCF fullstock carbine sold at $700.00. These are real prices, and you will notice, nothing four digit.

Good luck shopping. I'd suggest a .270 or .30-06 in the older Mannlicher-Schoenauer models, and about anything you want in the Sporter series. One problem with the Sporters is that they do kick more than the M-S because they are far,far, lighter.

Stick to your guns and get the low price too.

A few more thoughts.
In the Mannlicher-Schoenauer there are 18 variations in the M1950-M1952 series, look them up in a Storger catalog of the period. There is a magnum series made thru the Model 1956 MC and 1961 MCA periods which is a subset of both, usually with a straight bolt handle. There is the "GK" model with its pure European style stock that exists from the M1950 thru the early 1960s. There is the "NO" which is a European sales only version of the MC and MCA and also has the old style straight bolt handle. (To my knowledge, NOs exist in metric calibers only.)

You cannot be totally definitive about preWWII Mannlichers, because they were customized heavily. I have one with a factory barrel that chamber cast to a .22-250, and the piece is a M1910 action full stock rifle. Look at a 1939 Stoeger Catalog and see the factory offerred variations, count them and it will boogle your mind. You can be relatively sure about the pre 1910 models as they were only listed in a single caliber per model, 1903 = 6.5x54mm; 1905 = 9x56mm; 1908 = 8x56mm all rimless proprietary cartridges. With the M1910 we get the first variety of chamberings, with a generally accepted beginning after the end of WWI.

The Steyr-Sporter has many variations too, most already covered in other postings. Some peculiarities follow:
- the early Professional models had brown stocks, not the more common and later green stock, and bluing vice the dull almost parkerized finish of the later versions.
- the Pros actually had a MkII and a MkIII version
- the M-79 is the rarest bird, apparently being a lead in to the Luxus. Have only seen a catalog photo of one
- the M-72 was only made for three years, (1972-75)
- there are four versions of the SSG, I, II, III, and IV, nice, and two calibers, .243 and .308
- there are varmint models in the SL and the L series
- there are two styles of magazines, conveniently described as old and new in the parts lists. The difference is in the location of the spring release, which was moved to the magazine to make the new model, which also impacted the design of the stock and the plastic magazine well. The date for the changeover was in the late 1970s.
- Scope mounts, a semi-proprietary base made by Redfield for GunSouth, a factory Steyr mount, and the EAR from New England Arms.
There.

Have a look att this link.
http://discover-net.net/~kanotex/mannlicher/index.html

/Johan B

I saw today a reasonably nice Mannlicher-Sch�nauer rifle (not a Stutzen) offered for 390 Euros, had Austrian proofmarks of 1951, but what dissuaded me were the claw mounts and the alleged caliber of 8 x 57 IS - how very unelegant...

Regards,
Carcano

Oh how I love the early guns, the 1903 is the jewell of the Nile...The 1905,08 are great rifles and those fine delicate gems, without the bulbus combs, are all beyond nice guns...I love them.

The new guns are ca-ca, over engineered gobblegoop of the European bean counters (they are the worst of the bean counters, you know)...They dolt on plastic, Licorice looking steel with twisted something or other on the outside of the barrels, stocks that go beyond bulk and obese, just a platonia of horror in every respect, and then, they priced them way beyond there value knowing that most consumers base value on price alone, its a suckers gun for sure and a disgrace to the gun industry....

trash rifles

I have a SSG-69 in 308 Win, that is the most accurate rife in my safe, a real tack driver .50" or less at 100 yards.

Stay away from the SBS- Pro-Hunter...it has a ssfety bushing in the action/chamber when rotated the action will not close. This happen to me on a hunting trip....sold it the next day.

The non SBS are excellent and accurate.