I'm stationed in Germany and I just picked up this W.J. Jeffrey .256 Mannlicher. What can you tell me about it and what is it worth?

I don't know what it's worth but I really like that rifle. Bolt peep no less! Totally cool.

You might pm ALF on these boards as he is quite knowledgeable about English rifles.

Likely built on a Dutch Mannlicher military receiver, from the side marking.

Very neat rifle. The early Mannlicher sporting rifles are a classic African light game rifle. Whomever buys it will have a rare and well preserved piece.

I would be afraid to quote a value because the market on a vintage piece like that is hard to predict.

I hope it is not bad manners on my part to send you elsewhere, but you might try this Forum:

http://forums.nitroexpress.com...t=0&Board=mannlicher

The Nitro Express Forum is focused a bit more specifically towards vintage British/European sporting rifles such as yours.


EDIT...LINK FIXED

Best of luck

Neat rifle

It is/was worth at least what you paid for it to you.

Unless you were given it.

Just about every British maker offered sporterized Mannlichers but it seems that Gibbs did do more than most and you do see Jefferys such as yours occasionally.
I have a takedown Gibbs, one worked by Fraser and a Jeffery as well but it is broken through the wrist and missing some sight parts.
As with Jeffery Mausers, these were offered with some special patent Jeffery sights and typical Jeffery touches such as horn tips and grip caps.
I personally don’t see your rifle being worth much more than $2K, if that.
Here is the one I have. Bought it as a project but you know how that goes...

Did they normally rake the 'spoon' handle added to the sporter conversion to the rear like that? Or is that something done later in it's life by someone that possibly did the refinishing.
Pretty heavily sanded wood with all the proud metal.
But a nice rifle dispite that,,always liked the Mannlicher sporters built on the Dutch and Romanian actions.

IIRC the Romanian does not have the bolt guide rib on the bolt body. Portugal used those on a few contract rifles also.
All made by Steyr. Holland made a licensed copy later on of the M95

I am now back in the states with this rifle. Just put an offer on a house and need to free up some cash. So, I will sell this rifle for $1500. If no offers in the next 7 days, I will send it off to Rock Island auctions for their next auction.

Sold pending funds.

Congrats on your sale. That is a beautiful piece of work in a classic caliber.

I have seen a couple of them sell locally at gun shows in the last two or three years, one for $3500 and the other a minty job for $5000. Condition is everything to collectors...