If I could have ONE rifle that resonates with the heritage of the Frontier Partisans, it would not be one of the obvious choices. No Jacob Dickert longrifle for me; no Hawken nor Winchester nor even the Sharps Big Fifty. No, it would be a later model, the apogee of firearms craftsmanship — the Mannlicher-Shonauer Model 1903. The rifle of Karamojo Bell, Werner von Alvensleben, Ernest Hemingway.
I just read a magnificent article on this fine, fine rifle in the September/October 2013 Gray’s Sporting Journal. Terry Wieland explored the history of the Mannlicher and left me with that pang of nostalgia to which I am so terribly prone. It’s worth tracking the article down. Read it and sigh…
(Psst…. regarding all those rifles I mentioned… if the firearms gods are listening, I actually would like one of each. Please. The Mannlicher first.)
john maddox roberts says
In “A Boy and his Dog” Don Johnson carries a Mannlicher-stocked Springfield “03. I always liked the looks of that rifle.
JimC says
Not familiar with the movie, but here’s the Internet Movie Firearms Database page on it: http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/A_Boy_and_His_Dog#M1903_in_a_Mannlicher_Sch.C3.B6nauer_Carbine_stock
Patriot 67 says
Jim c. I aquired a very nice rifle,unsure of the caliber,,possibly an 8mm, it has a lot of the Mannlicher characteristics.but I can’t find any identifying marks other than matching numbers on the barrel and spoon type bolt, it came with an old hensolt wetzler 4 x scope with easy remove mounts,this rifle has very exceptional engraving on most all the receiver,and trigger guard,it has the double set triggers and peep sights under the scope mounts,it also has exceptional engraving,and checkering on the stock, but in my research so far,i’m not 100% sure exactly what it is.looks like a model 98 bolt action,,but I am not an expert,,where can I research this further ?
JimC says
Hey Patriot — I’m not an expert, but e-mail me a pic and I’ll see what I can dig up.
jimc@bendbroadband.com
Patriot 67 says
I sent you a few pictures,all I know is a sporterized mauser of some sort,with the German made scope makes me think it was a German made rifle .
JimC says
I’ll check ’em out.
john maddox roberts says
The movie was based on Harlan Ellison’s novella of the same name. Well worth searching out. It was directed by L.Q. Jones, “TC” in “The Wild Bunch,” which should tell you something.
JimC says
Thanks — will do.
Steve Bodio says
Jim, have we talked about mine? It is a pristine 1903 made in 1905, a rare “English” model carbine– not with a full length stock, because it is TAKEDOWN; rounded pg, and the flip- up peep that lies down when you work the bolt.
If I had only one rifle (I don’t; currently an English sporter in .303, an old Winchester .30- 30, and a Czech .22 like yours) it would be this one. Novelist Malcolm Brooks, who has TWO more conventional ones, found it for me. It was cheap, because the seller inherited and didn’t know anything, and may be the nicest I have seen… email this weekend and I’ll send pics.
I also have the music and libretto for Roscrae.it is worth the wait..
JimC says
I’ll be in touch — would love to see the pix!