Meffert built MS 6.5x54

[Tom H.]

I'm currently looking at a 1903ms that is highly customized. In addition to engraving and a tang safety, the barrel has a full length rib (added) and lots of engraving coverage. It was marked as a Meffert, engraved and inverted on the right side of the barrel. How common was it for a maker like meffert to do this type of work?

[mike ford]

Tom H.
Can you post photos, especially of proof marks? If it shows Austrian proofs, it would have been reworked rifle from Meffert's shop. If it has Suhl proofs, it would have been built from the action up by Meffert.
Mike

[Tom H.]

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Hey Mike. Couldn't check the proofs, but did get the Steyer brand on the receiver and the Meffert (inverted below the rib) on the right side.

[mike ford]

Tom
OK, but without Suhl proofs we can't show Meffert built it from a raw action. Otherwise I have to say Meffert reworked a MS rifle. BTW the scope mounts seem to be "period" rather than being post war on a prewar rifle. Some of the features are a nice touch.
Mike

[Tom H.]

Would there be a Ges. Steyer on the action if it wasn't originally proofed in Austria? I should be able to check the proofs tomorrow. Just interesting because the rib is an add on and I would like to think that the claws were done in Germany as well. I was just curious if this was common where a maker would work on another makers finished rifle?
The rib triggered this as I hadn't seen a rib ever added to a completed German/ Austrian gun.
Also, would the value be affected as both were competent makers.

Thanks,

Tom

[Axel E]

The presence or absence of Suhl or Vienna proofmarks does not proove anything in this case. Until the 1920s German proofs were not recognized in Austria and vice versa. So double proofed guns are quite common, bearing both Austrian and German proofs. Additionally, original Vienna proofmarks on the barrel may be covered by the front base ring . Pre-WW2 added on ribs were a Steyr factory option, though rarely seen. A Suhl gunmaker would have installed a half-octagon barrel with an integral rib. The Zeiss "Zielklein" 2 ¾x scope was certainly mounted in Suhl. Meffert restocked the rifle too, evidenced by the pistol grip curve being closer than other M-S stocks. The two-part foreend was popular in Germany . It was meant to prevent variing pressure to the barrel by the wood warping or the metal expanding from heating up. The bolt handle hold down spring shows the rifle being a commercial action originally. As Steyr usually did not sell actions only, I guess the original stock was broken. M-S stocks are quite prone to breakage forward of the wrist. I own a 1905 with a repaired break there and have repaired 4 others myself. My guess: A former owner handed his pet M-S Stutzen with a broken stock to Meffert for repair and restocking. At the same time he ordered Meffert to hang on all the bells and whistles. So Meffert made and added the horn triggerguard and the tang safety. Perhaps they also mounted the scope then. Finally they had the whole rifle engraved. Afaik Meffert did not refurbish Mannlicher – Schoenauers on a regular base, though they retailed themtoo, as nearly all others did. So this rifle may be a one off exaample. But as I wrote before: A Suhl or Zella-Mehlis gunmaker never said "Sorry, but we don't make such a thing. You have to go to our competitor three houses down the street." They always took such a job. Maybe they forwarded it to outworking specialists like stockmakers or engravers, or they simply bought it in from their neighbor and sold it as their own. "Meffert signed" would be a better description than "Meffert built".

[Tom H.]

Mike and Axel, thank you. The rifle is for sale and I am still on the fence. It definitely has a great many bells and whistles. The only thing that is off is that the markings on the barrel point to Meffert, but I believe that the added on rib is exactly that and not integral.
Still a nice rifle regardless.

Axel, I am glad that you mentioned that the proofs weren't too important in this case. I started to take things apart (just the front action screw) and realised that nothing good would come of it. I tightened it back up and was done with it.

A few more pix:

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[mike ford]

Tom/Axel,
What I wanted to see with the proof marks wasn't if it had both German and Austrian marks, rather if it had only Suhl proofs would show it was barreled in Suhl. I did not know a barrel rib was a Steyr option.
Mike