That Enfield scope surely would look pretty on my Mannlicher 1895 hunting rifle

[Promo]

... or a thought similar to that must had lead to the fact that someone butchered a No. 32 scope and its bracket for them to then be sitting on a sporterized Mannlicher M.1895 rifle in 8x50R caliber.


Actually this butchering of the bracket (note the rings were sawn off and got added new bottom parts!) was performed quite skillfully. They were converted to Wiener Schnäppermontage, a typical Austrian hunting mount that is often to be found with Mannlicher-Schönauer rifles. It though is a first time for me to see those with split rings, usually they are soldered to the tube.


Well, I bought the rifle for the scope. The price I paid for the whole rig was less than what a scope like this would be, so still a great deal. Have already removed the rings from the rifle, will try to find another period looking scope with the same diameter (what is that btw?) and then sell the rifle again.


Curious to see if there are still markings on the scope tube hidden under the black paint! Can anyone determine whether it is Mk.I, II or III based on what is visible?


Edit, forgot to mention the elevation markings are still correct, as is the reticle! They were not changed.

[Roger Payne]

It's a Mk2 scope Georg. Tube external diameter on No32's is one inch. You did well there!

[Surpmil]

What a pity those enterprising dealers in the UK didn't see it; they would surely have sold it as Lord Lovat's personal rifle etc. etc.

[Roger Payne]

We have plenty in the UK, but I don't think we have an absolute monopoly on greedy bullshiXXers........

[Promo]

What a pity those enterprising dealers in the UK didn't see it; they would surely have sold it as Lord Lovat's personal rifle etc. etc.

It now features a Tasco scope. Made it correct for Bubba .

[Surpmil]

We have plenty in the UK, but I don't think we have an absolute monopoly on greedy bullshiXXers........

Indeed not! The species is almost ubiquitous.

The reference for those not familiar with Lord Lovat was to his carrying a M-S sporting rifle on a commando raid or two, though I don't believe that rifle was scoped.

[harry mac]

How are you meant to load the en-bloc clip, withe scope mounted over the action? Surely you don't tip off the scope every time you need to load?

[Promo]

Yes, you take it off every time, because there is no other possibility than feeding single rounds with your hands.


Actually the WWI sniper rifles Austria originally had wanted to introduce (for lack of other mounting systems the only one they ever trialed) was also overbore. It was like just a few months prior to production when they became aware of a German mounting system that is offset and they even stated in the documents that this has the benefit that for reloading you don't need to remove the scope for clip feeding .. after they learnt that Goerz could not provide the required production number they obtained a license and manufactured it themselves.