Mannlicher Shoenhauer M1910 - The Firearms Forum

gmirsky · 12-23-2006, 10:59 AM

I inherited a real interesting old rifle, a Mannlicher Shoenhauer M1910 (I do believe in 9mm X 57mm) with some missing (minor) parts, no wood. I am interested in restoring the rifle though I'd like to get some expert opinions if the endeavor is worth it. My experience with restoring rifles is limited to M1 Garand's and M1903 Springfield's. Is this rifle worth restoring or is it better to break it up for parts for other collectors to utilize?

Overall there is some light rust and minor pitting on the barrel and receiver. Nothing that can't be removed. The phosphate coating (?) is about 70%. The groves in the barrel look surprisingly sharp and better than what I'd expect a bore of this age to look like. I have seen just a minor spot of pitting in the barrel but considering that the rifle shot mostly corrosive ammo in its life. It looks better than most modern neglected bores.

The Mannlicher Shoenhauer M1910 I have is missing the magazine cut off / bolt stop and the trigger guard. All other parts seem to be intact (except for the wood stock) and all the serial numbers match. The front sight fin has been broken off (not the front sight base) but that can be resoldered on. In fact the broken stub is brass so I believe the front sight fin has been broken off before. The serial number is 4059 7245. Each serial number is clustered by itself. The number 4059 appears on the bolt too. So I am guessing that 4059 is the serial number.

The receiver says "Patented Mannlicher Shoenhauer M1910" the side of the receiver says "Oesterr Wafenfabr Ges Steyr" Serial number 4059. The receiver has been drilled and tapped for a scope mount (two holes over the crest and two holes on the left receiver side.

Again, I am asking... Am I wasting my time restoring this rifle? Does anyone have the missing parts that I need to complete such a project? I know the rifle is never going to be a museum piece. I'd like to make it into a functional shooter for my own personal enjoyment.

I can provide digital pictures of the weapon if it is required to ascertain the viability of the project.

Any advice or leads would be greatly helpful and appreciated.

Mark · 12-23-2006, 06:36 PM

Wow, this is really a project.

The front sight is not a replacement. That's how they came from the factory, with a german silver blade. Color contrast.

How do you think it's a 9MM? Perhaps 7.9 MM?

The front sight ramp is part of the barrel. Yup, these were cut from the solid.

IMO, parts are going to be tough to come by. M1's and Springfields are EASY compared to this.

The stock will be tough, along with the forearm cap, buttplate, and grip cap.

It all depends on how insane you are. Only a real case would even question a project like this. Worthwhile? Absolutely. The boys stopped making these quite a while ago.

Oh yeah, don't plan on a salts bath to blue this thing. The nickle content will have the receiver a beautiful shade of purple unless the 'smith really knows his stuff. Traditional rust blue is the best way to go.
Good luck.
Mark

gmirsky · 12-23-2006, 08:43 PM

Well a .30 caliber bullet falls right through the barrel. A 9mm pistol bullet slides fairly effortlessly through the darn thing too! Someone mentioned to me that some of the M1910's were made in 9.3MM X 57mm too and I am beginning to lean in that direction. That supposedly from one person I spoke to make the poject viable since the 9.3mm's were rare? I don't know. I'm a neophyte when it comes to such rifles. The barrel certainly does not look worn down or shot out. RIght now I have it soaking to get some of the crud out and definitely see how much pitting there is. So far there's only two minor spot that I can see.

I was also told that the trigger guard should be fairly easy to fabricate from scratch. (I'll believe that when I see it.)

I am also looking into seeing if the bolt catch from the M1903's, most notably the Greek Military rifles might be adapted to fit if it doesn't already. (Does anyone out there know?)

Mark · 12-24-2006, 05:49 AM

You've got me stumped on caliber. The pre-war, WWI, rifles I'm familiar with are either 6.5 X54 MS, or 8 X 56 MS. Sorry, I just don't know.
I'm wondering if you could measure the bolt face. That diameter, minus a little clearance, might be a clue?

As far as making a trigger guard, the ones I've seen are very pretty. Still, I haven't seen a parts bin full of these, so that might be your only option.

I really like these old rifles. It would be kind of you to report progress on this.
Mark

Xracer · 12-24-2006, 09:04 AM

Hi gmirsky......welcome to TFF.

If your Mannlicher Schoenauer is a Model 1910, it's probably in caliber 9.5x56mm M-S (AKA 9.5x57mm M-S).....that was the standard caliber for the Model 1910. Bullet diameter is .375.

Parts are going to be really hard to find for this one. The only place that I can think of that might have some is Jack First: http://www.jackfirstgun.com/catalog-mtoo.html

Also, you might want to contact this fellow and see if he has any ideas for you: http://www.mannlicherschoenauer.com/

Or.....if all you're missing is a few small parts, perhaps a (good) gunsmith could make them for you.

Mannlicher (type) stocks (& parts) are available here:

http://www.gunstocks.com/pfrs.html
http://www.mpistocks.com/manlk.htm
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/sto...il.aspx?p=1395
http://www.steyr-mannlicher.com/publ...cf.html?id=262
http://www.denli-gunstocks.com/gunstocks.htm

Is it worth restoring? Well, if the basic action & bore are sound, and if you really like the rifle and are up to all the hassle of finding the parts.....it ain't gonna be cheap or easy......

But hell.....I've got a real soft in my head (and heart!) for the old Mannlichers, so I'd say GO FOR IT!!!! And best of luck!

12-23-2006, 10:59 AM	#1
gmirsky Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 9	Mannlicher Shoenhauer M1910 I inherited a real interesting old rifle, a Mannlicher Shoenhauer M1910 (I do believe in 9mm X 57mm) with some missing (minor) parts, no wood. I am interested in restoring the rifle though I'd like to get some expert opinions if the endeavor is worth it. My experience with restoring rifles is limited to M1 Garand's and M1903 Springfield's. Is this rifle worth restoring or is it better to break it up for parts for other collectors to utilize? Overall there is some light rust and minor pitting on the barrel and receiver. Nothing that can't be removed. The phosphate coating (?) is about 70%. The groves in the barrel look surprisingly sharp and better than what I'd expect a bore of this age to look like. I have seen just a minor spot of pitting in the barrel but considering that the rifle shot mostly corrosive ammo in its life. It looks better than most modern neglected bores. The Mannlicher Shoenhauer M1910 I have is missing the magazine cut off / bolt stop and the trigger guard. All other parts seem to be intact (except for the wood stock) and all the serial numbers match. The front sight fin has been broken off (not the front sight base) but that can be resoldered on. In fact the broken stub is brass so I believe the front sight fin has been broken off before. The serial number is 4059 7245. Each serial number is clustered by itself. The number 4059 appears on the bolt too. So I am guessing that 4059 is the serial number. The receiver says "Patented Mannlicher Shoenhauer M1910" the side of the receiver says "Oesterr Wafenfabr Ges Steyr" Serial number 4059. The receiver has been drilled and tapped for a scope mount (two holes over the crest and two holes on the left receiver side. Again, I am asking... Am I wasting my time restoring this rifle? Does anyone have the missing parts that I need to complete such a project? I know the rifle is never going to be a museum piece. I'd like to make it into a functional shooter for my own personal enjoyment. I can provide digital pictures of the weapon if it is required to ascertain the viability of the project. Any advice or leads would be greatly helpful and appreciated. -->

12-23-2006, 06:36 PM	#2
Mark V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 314	Re: Mannlicher Shoenhauer M1910 Wow, this is really a project. The front sight is not a replacement. That's how they came from the factory, with a german silver blade. Color contrast. How do you think it's a 9MM? Perhaps 7.9 MM? The front sight ramp is part of the barrel. Yup, these were cut from the solid. IMO, parts are going to be tough to come by. M1's and Springfields are EASY compared to this. The stock will be tough, along with the forearm cap, buttplate, and grip cap. It all depends on how insane you are. Only a real case would even question a project like this. Worthwhile? Absolutely. The boys stopped making these quite a while ago. Oh yeah, don't plan on a salts bath to blue this thing. The nickle content will have the receiver a beautiful shade of purple unless the 'smith really knows his stuff. Traditional rust blue is the best way to go. Good luck. Mark

12-23-2006, 08:43 PM	#3
gmirsky Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 9	Re: Mannlicher Shoenhauer M1910 Well a .30 caliber bullet falls right through the barrel. A 9mm pistol bullet slides fairly effortlessly through the darn thing too! Someone mentioned to me that some of the M1910's were made in 9.3MM X 57mm too and I am beginning to lean in that direction. That supposedly from one person I spoke to make the poject viable since the 9.3mm's were rare? I don't know. I'm a neophyte when it comes to such rifles. The barrel certainly does not look worn down or shot out. RIght now I have it soaking to get some of the crud out and definitely see how much pitting there is. So far there's only two minor spot that I can see. I was also told that the trigger guard should be fairly easy to fabricate from scratch. (I'll believe that when I see it.) I am also looking into seeing if the bolt catch from the M1903's, most notably the Greek Military rifles might be adapted to fit if it doesn't already. (Does anyone out there know?) __________________ "It is difficult to make our material condition better by the best law, but it is easy enough to ruin it by bad laws." -- Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) - 23 Aug. 1902, Providence, R.I.

12-24-2006, 05:49 AM	#4
Mark V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 314	Re: Mannlicher Shoenhauer M1910 You've got me stumped on caliber. The pre-war, WWI, rifles I'm familiar with are either 6.5 X54 MS, or 8 X 56 MS. Sorry, I just don't know. I'm wondering if you could measure the bolt face. That diameter, minus a little clearance, might be a clue? As far as making a trigger guard, the ones I've seen are very pretty. Still, I haven't seen a parts bin full of these, so that might be your only option. I really like these old rifles. It would be kind of you to report progress on this. Mark

12-24-2006, 09:04 AM	#5
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Re: Mannlicher Shoenhauer M1910 Hi gmirsky......welcome to TFF. If your Mannlicher Schoenauer is a Model 1910, it's probably in caliber 9.5x56mm M-S (AKA 9.5x57mm M-S).....that was the standard caliber for the Model 1910. Bullet diameter is .375. Parts are going to be really hard to find for this one. The only place that I can think of that might have some is Jack First: http://www.jackfirstgun.com/catalog-mtoo.html Also, you might want to contact this fellow and see if he has any ideas for you: http://www.mannlicherschoenauer.com/ Or.....if all you're missing is a few small parts, perhaps a (good) gunsmith could make them for you. Mannlicher (type) stocks (& parts) are available here: http://www.gunstocks.com/pfrs.html http://www.mpistocks.com/manlk.htm http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/sto...il.aspx?p=1395 http://www.steyr-mannlicher.com/publ...cf.html?id=262 http://www.denli-gunstocks.com/gunstocks.htm Is it worth restoring? Well, if the basic action & bore are sound, and if you really like the rifle and are up to all the hassle of finding the parts.....it ain't gonna be cheap or easy...... But hell.....I've got a real soft in my head (and heart!) for the old Mannlichers, so I'd say GO FOR IT!!!! And best of luck!