Yesterday's Weapons Forums

I know that this isn't a straight pull, but thought someone on this forum might know something, since it is Austrian

Recently (like today) bought this at an on-line auction. Can't find much about it, except some references that it may be an Irish Mannlicher.



Wasn't sure what it was, but looked nice and has matching numbers

Any Ideas?

Looks to me like a M88 commission rifle made by Steyr. It may have been Turked because it should have a wood hand guard. It should also be in 8mm. If it is indeed 30-06, it has been modified.
Someone correct me if I am wrong.
Dave

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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin historical review of Pennsylvania [1759]

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Rome fell because it had a Senate-what will become of us with both a Senate and a House-Will Rogers

I should have known that the PA Guru would know the correct info. I learn something new evry day.
Dave

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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin historical review of Pennsylvania [1759]

okay,

It is a Hembrug or at least a steyr built mannlicher turnbolt action. The only question is what is the caliber. Since the mag well is open at the bottom it probably still uses a rimmed cartridge. If it is not 6.5 Dutch then it could possibly be 303 british since a number of them were converted to this caliber. A 30-06 cartridge is too long for the magazine and the bolt head would have to be modified. O.A.L. has to be less than about 3.010 inches. This rifle looks like it is still in military configuration so my hunch is one of the two afore mentioned calibers.
-------Meanwhile later.-----------
I am going to have to eat a litttle crow on this one. Steyr did sell a number of M95 turnbolts to the UDF (Ulster Defense Force) in 8mm and it was clip fed. But the 8x57 will fit as it is the proper length.

I have found it!!!! At first there was some confusion as to the term M88. That is the name given to this rifle but this term can be mistaken for the German 1888 commission mauser. This is listed as an M88 mannlicher in 8mm for 0.318 groove ammo unless modified to take 0.323 in bullets. source :Guns of the World. 1977.

So 308 Dave was correct if he meant an M88 Steyr mannlicher. The other thing was this rifle did originally come with a handguard as captioned in the book photo. There should be a stamped marking on the right side of the stock that says: "For God and Ulster".

Boy there sure is a lot to learn on this site. Keeps the mind from getting dull even though I get redfaced a lot at my lack of knowledge. But then one is only as good as one's sources. Comme ci comme ca.

I kinda discounted the "30.0" caliber reference till I actually receive the rifle. Those kind of mistakes are common on these on-line estate sales.

I noticed that they listed three "St. Denis" 71 Mausers as "11mm", even though they are almost certainly 6.5mm Dadateau.

I also discovered after I bought it that it was missing the handguard. My guess is that that will be a hard item to replace.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll post more pics when they actually arrive.