Another Mannlicher 1908

[Harold]

Like sharps4590 I'm looking at a Mannlicher-Schoenauer 1908 carbine. (?) It doesn't look like it's been re-barreled or rechambered, but see below. It is sporting a Voightlander & Sohn scope with see through bases. However, I do have a few questions re this piece:

1. Is there any source for brass for the 8X56 cartridge?

2. While it has a full-length stock, the barrel is 23" long instead of the standard 19". Is this kosher?

3. It is in very good to excellent shape with sharp points on the checkering, 95-98% blue and a great bore. What would be a fair price for this? I think the asking price of $2700 is a little much, but...

Thanks in advance!

Harold

[kcordell]

Mannlicher 1908

Like sharps4590 I'm looking at a Mannlicher-Schoenauer 1908 carbine. (?) It doesn't look like it's been re-barreled or rechambered, but see below. It is sporting a Voightlander & Sohn scope with see through bases. However, I do have a few questions re this piece:

1. Is there any source for brass for the 8X56 cartridge?

I sourced some a few years back from buffalo arms.

2. While it has a full-length stock, the barrel is 23" long instead of the standard 19". Is this kosher?

Can't answer this one. I would have to dig mine out for comparison and can't get to it now.

3. It is in very good to excellent shape with sharp points on the checkering, 95-98% blue and a great bore. What would be a fair price for this? I think the asking price of $2700 is a little much, but...

Hmmm....I have a 1908 as well with it's original Zeiss 4x Dialytan scope, claw mount and leather scope case and in near excellent condition. I was offered $2500.00 for it about 5 years ago. Its still here with me...because I really like it. Talk about engineering and Swiss watch like quality.. Thats just me. Try to find one with the original scope.

Thanks in advance!

Harold

Please see my answers inline with your questions.

[Axel E]

1.8x56M-S cases are easily formed from 8x57 / 8mm Mauser brass. Horneber, Germany, sometimes makes brass with the correct headstamp, see www.johannsen-jagd.de
2. M-Sch full-stocked rifles with 23" barrels were always a special order factory option, but rare.
3. ???

[sharps4590]

Buffalo Arms still has the brass http://www.buffaloarms.com/8x56_Mann....aspx?CAT=3829 as does Midway http://www.midwayusa.com/find?sortby...ensionid=20118

It's a good 8mm cartridge, some less than the 8 X 57 Mauser. Still, you have a 200 gr. bullet at from 2000 fps to 2200 fps. That makes it just a bit more than the 35 Remington. I did back off the one I was looking at, never could get a reply from the seller. I did, however, end up with a 1903 on the way. I wanted the 6.5 anyway and yes, the darn things are expensive. The full stock '08's are high enough if in very good or better condition and the '03's are more so. The one I found has a sporter stock and no scope or rings so it came quite a bit less.

[mike ford]

Harold,
Like Axel said, you can make it from 8x57, but there are many other cases that can be used. I like to use 30-06 military brass when forming other calibers, so my heirs won't get mixed up and use it in the wrong rifle, without checking. Buffalo Arms brass is usually made from something else, when comercial brass is no longer avaliable, and it may or may not have the correct headstamp.
Mike

[Harold]

Thank you gentlemen for your help. If I read you correctly, then what you are saying is that 8X56 and 8X57 brass has the same head size and all one has to do is to trim it back. Is that correct?

By the way, sharps4590, congratulations on the 03. I have one and I love it. It's a full stocked carbine with a cocking-piece peep. She goes by the name "Granny" since she's petite, curved, and old.

Oh yes, I put a hold on the '08 so I can dicker with the store manager when he gets back Wednesday. Stay tuned.

Harold

[Axel E]

If I read you correctly, then what you are saying is that 8X56 and 8X57 brass has the same head size and all one has to do is to trim it back. Is that correct?

You may have to resize them first in an 8x56 M-S die as the nominal shoulder diameter is slightly smaller. But as M-S chambers are usually quite generous, this depends on the individual rifle. 8x56 M-S dies are listed as "ample stock" by Buffalo Arms.

[sharps4590]

Thanks Schultz! I'm looking forward to working with it. I'm fairly certain that expecting it yet this week so I can play with it this weekend is something of a pipe dream....but next week is fine too!!!

[m-4]

Hi Guys,
The 1908 MS is a very nice rifle, you will be pleased. If you get chomping at the bit to shoot & want correct headstamped brass I might be willing to sell some of the Western 8x56 mann ammo I have stashed away. PM if interested.
m-4

[Harold]

Well, I finally got it (1908 Mannlicher) and at a decent price. It cleaned up really well and is in excellent shape. I also have got my hands on some 8X56 brass and some dies. I also got an old box of Western Cartridge Co. ammo that came with the rifle. Have not shot it yet but will soon.Thanks for the help every one! I'll try to post some pictures here. Note the long full-stocked barrel (see Axel E's post of 9-9-13). Whoops! This will show my ignorance of all things computerish, but how/where do you get the URL number for a picture in one's documents???

[kcordell]

I like the post my pictures on Photobucket and then use the URL from there to post here. It works well

[Harold]

Well let's give it a try using photobucket![IMG]http://s840.photobucket.com/user/harold2/media/110 zpsca797366:ipqhtn

[Harold]

Wow, this isn't working but I'll give it another try. Hmmm....got photos on photobucket but they don't seem to want to come here!