I am in conversation with a fellow to purchase a Mannlicher Schoenauer 1952 carbine in '06. It does not have rings & bases I have two questions.

1: Is the action drilled & tapped for these unusual side mounts or would I have to have this done. I do not like to alter original guns so this could be a deal breaker.

2: What is the availability of these mounts & who makes them? What should I expect to pay for these mounts. The owner thinks they are rare.

Sorry for the uninformed questions but I love the 1952 feel just not very knowledgeable on the gun itself.

Thanks in advance for any information......

Those are nice rifles. As I remember,Redfield made a one-piece base that mounted on the front ring and came over to the left side and mounted in the left side of the receiver. I would think a person could find one somewhere.
Good luck.

As a rule, Mannlicher-Schoenauers were not factory drilled and tapped for scope mounts until 1964. Redfield made the bases, which took regular turn-in style rings. They are available on ebay and Watts Walnut makes good repros for $165.
There were at least two factory installed exceptions to this general rule:
First was a factory claw mount arrangement that was screwed into the beveled area at the left rear side of the action and clamped around the barrel directly in front of the receiver. This was, and is, a deluxe style mounting system. I see them from time to time on ebay for somewhere between $400 and $500.
It was also possible, if I read the ads in old Stoegers correctly, to have a one-piece Leupold Adjusto-Mount installed. The front part of the base was screwed into the top of the receiver ring with two screws. The rear part arched to the left and was attached to the left rear of the receiver with two screws right atop the "PUCH" of the "STEYR DAIMLER PUCH" logo. Thus, it required four holes to be drilled in the receiver. This mount is definitely old technology and it is a PITA to make scope adjustments.
This mounting system also shows up on ebay with some regularity. The MS system is specific for Mannlicher-Schoenauers only. Prices run around $75 to $150 or so for the bases only. There were 7/8" rings and 1" rings. Obviously, the 1"ers are most preferred and sell for more, usually from $40-$70 per pair.
As far as I can tell, either of the above two scope mounting systems could be called legitimate on pre-1964 Mannlicher Schoenauers. However, the Leupold Adjusto-Mount, to me looks like a poor add-on.
I have this system on two of my Mannlicher-Schoenauers. They work and my old eyes appreciate the scope but they can't compare to the factory claw mount on my 1950 .257 Roberts.
The Griffin & Howe Double Lever Side Mount was a popular, classy, and high dollar option, mostly aftermarket. They could be installed by removing the side plate on the left side of the receiver, under the wood, and fastening them. They make a very neat installation They are very hard to find now and be prepared to pay heavily if you locate one for a Mannlicher-Schoenauer.
If your eyes can use them, there are Lyman 36 receiver sights available for Mannlicher-Schoenauers. Pre-1925 and post-1925 styles differ and are not interchangeable. They require no holes but usually require relieving some wood under the bolt release. I have several extra 36's if you are interested.
Also remember that the majority of post-war MS rifles currently for sale are in 30-06 so should be priced considerably less than, say, a .257 Roberts or 7x57 or 7x64.
Hope this helps you make your decision.

Great info....thanks guys!

I recently discussed using a Griffin & Howe mount on a Mannlicher Schoenauer with Paul Chapman, who is in charge of the G&H workshop. He told me that there is no special G&H base for a Mannlicher, but one can be shaped out of a standard flat base, which is how the G&H workshop would do it.

I am in the process of sending one to a correspondent in South Africa for that purpose. His M/S is caliber .458 Winchester Magnum, and the G&H mount is fully up to the recoil. I have had one for years on my Model 70 .450 Watts.

Didn't Paul Jaeger make a qd mount for these? Unless my memory is totally gone, i had two MS carbines with Jaeger mounts and Lyman scopes.

I happen to have the Redfield mounts if you are interested.

The Watts Walnut made CNC repros are good & work fine in my 1903 model Greek.