I've acquired a M1950 rifle. It has been previously drilled and tapped for side mount scope bases. My best guess is that it would have had two separate bases both mounted on the left side.

Each set of holes is parallel to the bore and the holes are spaced about .335 apart. Two holes just below rear of front reciever ring, two just in front of charger slot. All the holes are on the same line.

Can any one help me identify what bases have been used? Would like to find a set am hoping some one didn't do something too foolish like use a Weaver side mount base for a .22.

Sounds like Redfields to me, but just a guess.


I see the bases come up for sale every now and then. They usually go for around $175-$200


Terry

I assume you mean that the holes are above the removeable side plate (where a side mount is supposed to go).

There were several cheap aluminum side mounts that attached above the woodline. They include Leupold, Williams, Pachmayr and Echo. If you can post a picture, I might be able to figure out which one you need.

KurtC; I think you are on the right track. This 1950 model does not have the removable side plate. Think that may have either come later in the model production or in the 1952 model. Can't provide a picture sorry. The holes are spaced at .335 at front and rear. The two furthest apart holes are 3.1" (forward front hole and rearward rear hole). All the holes are about on the line of lettering on the action side. In fact the rear hole is drilled through the circular Steyr trade mark logo. The Redfields that Terry referred to seem to be a top mount front/rear side mount although they may have made others that I haven't identified yet. I'm guessing it may be Pachmayr and hoping it's something better.

Reading from the "official" Stoeger brochure for the M1950 , "the stock is specially designed for American low style side mounts such as the Pachmyr Lo-Swing "

I'd agree with KurtC and his assessment. The removable side plate was one of the "improvements" made in the Mannlicher-Schoenauer over the next 3-4 years. You can mount a Griffin & Howe or Jaeger side mount on a M1950, but that's a gunsmith job, and Redfield top mounts still work, although they were not designed for another 10 years of the M-S history +/- a year.

LLS
Mannlicher Collector

There is a photo of the Redfield type 2pc mounts at this web site. Looks like a quality bases at a reasonable price, compared to the auction site prices.
Bob

wattswalnut.com/ms1.html

Stocker, I've been looking for several years now trying to find a mount or mounts that fit the way my 1905 is drilled and tapped. Mine has two holes on top of the front receiver ring that match the Redfield front or the B&L bases. It also has four holes on the side: two are #8 and two are #10. The two #8 holes are too far forward for the B&L base but the right spacing. I discovered this after purchasing a B&L Base and mount which I thought would fit. I never figured out what the #10 holes matched.
My opinion is that there are several very nice side mounts that were available and fitted to MS rifles. These would include Jaeger and G&H.
I think that there were also a number of mounts that were less desirable but satisfactory like the Pachmayer, Echo, B&L. I don't know if there any others like the old Leopold "Detacho" since I've never been able to find information about those. There are also the Redfield mounts and original MS but both of them require that the receiver be drilled above the bolt release.
Looking at mine and others over the years I also believe there were mounts that were cobbled together by various people/gunsmiths.
I'm still looking. I like the Redfield mounts, original MS mounts but I refuse to put any new holes in the rifle.
Currently, I have a side mount with side mounted scope that I put together. It uses the two #10 holes, functions well and covers the other two holes in the side.
I am very interested in your post. I'll be away for several weeks but look forward to reading any additional information.

dian1: I'm not too interested in putting any more holes in this one either. The first jump through the hoops will be to dtermine if anything commercial was mad e for the hole spacing on the rifle or if it was a one of akind by a gunsmith. Kurt C was kind enough to let me e-mail him a picture and he may be able to tell us more.

When you mentioned 2 hole sizes I ran down for another look at mine. Two of the screws had slightly different heads and looked larger than the other two. However they are the same and the larger heads are just a shoulder to control depth.

Would certainly like to scope the rifle but the open sights are serviceable and it will get used either way.

Looking at your picture, the holes look like they were drilled for a Weaver detachable side mount, or a type N. Neither were high quality or pleasing to the eye, but they got the job done in the early days of optical sights.

Stocker, after I returned I had the opportunity to see a rifle with Leopold Detacho base and rings. It turns out that it is the correct for my rifle using the two holes on top of the receiver and the two #8's on the side.
To help you with you search:
Redfield mounts have two holes on the top of the front of the receiver and two holes on the side of the receiver bridge.
B$L/Kasharky (sp) have two holes on the top of the front of the receiver and two holes on the side (in the print area)
Detacho mounts have two holes on the top of the front of the receiver and two holes on the side (also in the print area but about .25 further back.
Can't tell you what you have but eliminates several of the commercial items.

Four.evenly.spaced.holes.in.a.row.sounds.like
the.old.Weaver,detachable.sidemount.base

Thanks folks. The Weaver mount is what Kurt thought too. Will watch for a used one as a temporary set up but am also looking for a better class of mount(s). Kurt has suggested that the rifle is not high end collectible due to caliber and presence of existing mount holes, so I am not adverse to going to another system, perhaps one that might utilize one or more of the existing holes and cover the remainder. Destined to be a hunting rifle which suits me fine.

Griffin@Howe.is.still.fitting.their.sidemount
for.M/S.and.it.would.probably.cover.the.holes.
and.perhaps.make.use.of.them....But.the.job.is.
prodigiously.expensive.

Stocker, you might want to look in the classified section at the 1908 M/S that's for sale. Good picture of how some of the side mounts were attached.

dian1; I looked at the picture. The two empty holes behind the mount look like what I have. I suspect if the existing mount was removed from that rifle there may be two more holes in that receiver further forward that would be similar to mine. I looked at some Weaver mounts at a gun show recently and have decided not to go with that type. Not very pleasing to the eye. The rifle will make a trip down to Martini and Hagn in the next year to get something done right. Thanks for the reference.

I'm thinking this rifle was at one time fitted with the Redfield bases and rings. They were, BTW, probably the best looking setup for the M/S, IMO.

I once had a 1961MCA carbine with Redfield two-pc. mounts, this was 40 years ago. I have seen about all the M-S mounts and these are best. I now have a 1956MC carbine, minty, in .30-06 and had the front ring DTed for these and mounted a Leup. 1.75x6 which helps me to shoot sub-moa consistently with it.

IIRC, Jim Wisner USED to produce a repro of these bases and the rings are everywhere. I would call him and see if he has any left, then get Ralf to re-do the holes or maybe SG in Ontario.

I consider spending the money to repair an original MS to be a worthy investment.