Combloc
Stop Negassing me!!!!!
...... I'd never walked into a shop and seen a vintage Mannlicher Schoenauer with such a beautiful patina hanging on the wall. Although I have the deepest respect for the sport, I personally don't hunt so why would I buy one? So, I was casually aware of these old Steyr rifles and I also knew that they were expensive and held in the highest regard when they were in production. Also, I had seen pictures in books but I'd never actually laid eyes or hands on one. And let's face it....I'm not what you'd call a "cultured" guy nor do I spend my time with those who are so where would I have run into one? Still, I DO have the ability to appreciate fine things and I'm not such a Neanderthal that I don't recognize a gem when I see it. As soon as I spied that full length European Walnut stock and the flat bolt handle, even though it was 30 feet away, I knew what I was looking at. Literally the moment I took it down from the wall, I knew I was holding the rifle equivalent of a Rolex. After just a minute of perusal, it was obvious that the rifle had seen a generous mixture of use, care and outright love. The bluing was worn to bare metal in places but absolutely none of it had turned brown. The stock bore only the most minimum number of indentations and had nearly perfect checkering. The scope, a Weaver K4-F (made in the 1960's) was still crystal clear with near perfect glass. It was abundantly clear that this rifle had seen MANY hours of use but ALL of them had passed with the utmost care. The rifle had been used for it's intended purpose and not simply hung on a wall. Man.....the stories this old rifle could tell! Wellllll, the combination of History (albeit unknown) outstanding Quality of execution, gorgeous stock, patina and just pure Beauty of the thing pushed me over the edge. I had to have it. And now I want to share it with you. This isn't going to be an in-depth article on the rifle but it is going to photographically document some things I couldn't find decent pictures of online. I might write a longer one later but for now, lets just have some fun and take a brief look at what I consider to be a well used yet well preserved example of a Steyr Mannlicher Schoenauer Model 1956 with factory installed scope mounts and a vintage Weaver K4-F telescopic sight. Pictures start in the next post.
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