Yesterday's Weapons Forums

As you can tell, I'm newly signed up, but been reading the forum for a while. I have this M95 similar to (same lion seal):


On the left side of bolt it says: Steyr 1903
On the stock it has multiple numbers. On left side it has 1911V on the other side it has 1974 and 1945
Also on the left side of bolt it has serial number 1974E. Both numbers are same font.
There is an "S" on the barrel and also a funky looking mark on the right side of the barrel. I saw something similar in one of the posts, but it looks like a 5 sided thing with leaves.

After looking around the forum a bit, I have not seen the type of rear sight as on this one. It is just under 3" long but the movable distance marker is missing. I will try to post pictures pretty soon. Although it I haven't cleaned it yet (still has grease on it yet).

Got it from a gunsmith my father does restoration work for. He "gave" it to me and said see what you can do. This will be my first time cleaning/restoring a gun into firing condition.

What I was wondering is when it was made? I looked at the sticky post on serial numbers and saw a 1726E which was 1917. Also looking for information on what kind of ammo it uses and possibly where to find some.

First off Willkommen to the forum!!!


On the contract rifle it may be the 1903 date that is on the receiver rail?
Don could tell you for sure. Don't do anything drastic as far as clean up of the stock! Post some pics here & plenty of folks will chime in on how best to preserve the old war horse. Is it "S" or "H" marked over the chamber? Or is it still in it's original chambering?

_________________

It's 5 o'clock and it's watermelon time.....................
because you can't drink beer & load rockets - TXPete

It has an "S" on above the bulgarian lion and also an "S" on the stock just behind the bolt. Some pictures are out of focus but i have circled certain items.


The gun from receiver side


This one shows the Bulgarian Lion and the "S" mark


Non Receiver side Stock Marking "1911V"


Receiver side showing "1974" S/N and "1945"


Just the open bolt


Rear sight with missing range finder


Fuzzy, but shows the 5 sided leaf thing OR could be just a blanking stamp?


Nother picture of the Bulgarian Lion and "S" mark


The business end!


the belly. I think there is a stock patch seen on bottom of stock right side


"S" mark behind bolt on top of stock


Not sure what it is, too much grease, but it is etched in whatever it is


THe two "1974E" stamps picture is fuzzy, but they are the same font and size markings.

That is all for now. And thanks in advance for any help.
Squid

OK here's what I ascertain from your pics.

It is a cut down long rifle. Originally a Bulgarian contract manufactured in 1903. The "S" indicates it has been rechambered for 8X56r. You are missing the sight 'slider' (which isn't much of an issue as the smallest sight setting is 300 schritt or paces, this is with the sight flipped up & the notch at the bottom, with the sight folded forward the notch is 500 schritt)
The stock looks like a cut down LR stock that was renumbered to match the receiver & barrel. (1974E) The number on the LH side is the old number of the original rifle it belonged to, it looks lined out.

The patch on the bottom is where a sling swivel used to be in the long rifle (LR) configuration. Now it sports a side swivel up near the wrist.

Can't make out the proof on the RH side just in front of the receiver but could it be an Austrian eagle???

_________________

It's 5 o'clock and it's watermelon time.....................
because you can't drink beer & load rockets - TXPete