unusual Mannlicher scope mount

[buckstix]

A friend just purchased this Mannlicher - but without a scope and rings. Does anyone have any idea what the rings would look like to fit the mounts on the rifle?

[Axel E]

These mounts were developed during WW1 by the Danzig arsenal for sniper use. The solid rings were soldered to the steel scope tubes. Apparently a gunsmith adapted a surplus scope and mount to the Mannlicher –Schoenauer Stutzen after the Great War. Quite hopeless to find spare parts now, 100 years later. Here are pics from Dieter Storz's book "Gewehr und Karabiner 98", Vienna 2006.

[buckstix]

Hello Axel E

Thank you for your reply. My friend will be happy to know the answer, but very dissappointed to learn of the slim chance of finding such a set or rings. He would of course be happy to find such a scope with the rings attached, in
"any" condition.

If anyone sees such a scope with these mounts for sale, please contact me.

If you know of someone that could make a set of mounts and rings for the bases on this rifle, please contact me also.

[mike ford]

Buckstix,
If your friend absolutely must have the same type rings, they can be fabricated ,using Axel's photos as a guide. They will be extremely expensive, requiring an inordinate amount of design and machine time. A much better solution would be to have one of the gunsmiths that advertise in the Trade Directory, or New England Custom Guns, remove the old mounts and replace them with currently available Claw mounts, Swing mounts, or even Fixed mounts.
Mike Ford

[Nathaniel Myers]

Buckstix,

I was approached several years ago about making several sets of rings and bases. The gentleman had a 95% complete set, but they didn't fit together. I guess ww1 sniper rifles are pretty popular. I never looked over the rings and bases in person, but I believe I told him prototyping one set would very likely exceed $1000. That was with something to directly copy.

I'll see if I can find his info. I told him if he got enough people interested the cost would be minimized and the cost might be approachable.