Fox Collectors

So when I was about 10 or 11 years old I read a piece about classic African hunting and became enamored with the Model 1903 Mannlicher Schoenauer carbine in caliber 6.5 x 54 MS that WDM Bell the hunter had used. Somehow my Dad found a small plastic replica of the MS carbine and I taped it over the door frame in my bedroom where I'd look at it and know some day I'd own one. Yep, over the years I looked at a very few 1903's in gun dealings but never found what I thought was a good one and priced close to right.

Well that day was today. I saw the MS on Wednesday and made the deal on the spot. The gent didn't give it away but condition was great and those old memories flooded in. I'm sure many of you know the feeling. I went back with the cash today. Here she is, imported and sold by VL&A in Chicago and as best I can tell she was made in about 1914-15. G&H site shows its serial number is listed in the old VL&A records and I'll order a letter if they're still available now after Bob Beach its Archivist retired. All original with some light and honest use over the years and a perfect bore. Well, as you can tell I'm pumped. She'll be deer hunting with me this fall. frank

Fank ---Fantastic rifle apprciated your sharing I also admire theEuropean old world style & quality.

Fank ---Fantastic rifle apprciated your sharing I also admire theEuropean old world style & quality.

Very smooth action there! Be sure to post up pictures this fall when you christen it!

Good for you, my friend! I have always had a soft spot for those myself. I love good set triggers on rifles.

Beautiful wood. It will look great next to a deer.

A knockout rifle! Bobby

Beautifull rifle Frank, a true classic. Great find.

Hi Frank, will you have to reload to get ammunition? Jim

Jim, 6.5 MS ammo is being made by Privi Partizan in Europe, imported to the US and priced reasonably but as with most uncommon rifle ammo they’re out of stock at several suppliers and resale scalpers are at work. I ordered 50 new unprimed P-P cases, RCBS dies and shell holder and have NOS Norma 156 grain round nose 6.5 mm bullets and primers on hand. Powder too. My order was shipped earlier today and I’m all set.

That sounds good, Frank. Jim

Will you scope her, Frank, or leave her with irons? If irons, open or aperture?

Stan, I'll leave her original with the two leaf/flip up rear sight. I can still see irons fairly well for shots under 100 yards or so; have been taking special care of my eyes over years now for my clays shooting and that's worked out well. frank

Love it! I really like the butterknife bolt handle too

Several years ago, I was in a friend's gun room nursing an afternoon bourbon when I picked up a beautiful high condition 1903 Mannlicher 6.5 off the rack. My friend is, or was, a prolific builder and collector of American made single shot and bolt action rifles but this was the only European rifle I had ever known him to possess. My friend (Mr. McCormack knows who he is) started to tell me the story of the rifle. My friend's father was a well off landowner, horse person, field trialer, bird hunter, you name it. Eugene Meyer, the owner and publisher of the Washington Post in those prewar days, invited several of his closest friends on a guided Canadian hunt. Mr. Meyer would cover all financial dealings and planning for the hunt. The group were all dog people and bird hunters and didn't own much in the way of rifles. Meyer said not to worry. On the way north, probably by train, the group stopped at Abercrombie and Fitch and Meyer had everyone pick out rifles. My friend's father picked out the 6.5 Mannlicher. At the end of the hunt, everyone went home with the rifle they had picked at Abercrombie and Fitch. Unfortunately, a few years ago, my friend passed away at 95 years old and his guns flew away as often happens.