My last custom rifle
 

My gunsmith announced his pending retirement earlier this year which set my wheels in motion. i have wanted a Manlicher stocked rifle for some time and was going to do it on the previous build but got sidetracked into a contemporary version of a 1930's era British stalking rifle in 275 Rigby:shock:

Anyway armed with this new info I found a 1909 Argentine Mauser. Most Manlicher rifles are carbines and I wanted a full rifle with a 24 inch barrel to maximize the efficiency of the cartridge. I chose the classic 6.5X55. It's worked for 120 years and I have a soft spot for the older calibers. The biggest problem was finding a stock blank that had some figure in it all the way to the muzzle. After a long search I found a piece of English walnut that fit my needs. I didn't go "all out" on this like I did the Rigby but some of the special features are inletted swivel studs, jeweled bolt and magazine follower,case colored but plate, grip cap and muzzle cap and bolt shroud. It's topped off with a Leupold Vari X 3 2.5X8.

This will undoubtedly be the last custom rifle I have built.....well maybe....but probably:whistle:

A couple more

Rich, That's a fine piece of wood and a beautiful gun! Gary

Very nice ! In regard to the 24” barrel I had a Sako pre vixen Mannlicher in 222 that had a 24” barrel . This was one of those with a square bolt back and a clip . Bought it when I was 14 or 15 for almost nothing kept it a year or two and sold it in Shotgun News and tripled my money . Wish I had it back now lols !

I was about 18 when I fell in love with a Swedish Mauser carbine in 6.5x55. What a nice little gun. Your choice of caliber is exemplary and your gun is magnificent. Shoot it in good health. Merry Christmas.

I love every option in the choices

these are the times I wish I had more reason to be a rifleman

Rich, I rarely shoot high-powered rifles but when I do I grab my 6.5 by 55 Swedish it is an old Swedish Mauser that was stalked by Century Arms. Not a very pretty gun but it is always served me well when I needed it. Let your last rifle I think we are all laughing

I love guns stocked in the classic fashion. Great wood and the sculpted cheekpiece is extremely well done.

That is too spooky!! Just yesterday I was looking through some old papers and found the receipt from Central Sporting Goods Co. in Seattle dated Jan 27, 1962, when I, not yet quite 16, bought just such a rifle for $120 plus $4.80 sales tax, including the Sako Dual-Range Peep Sight that fit on the rear scope base milled integral with the receiver. Sol at Central was the Pacific Northwest distributor for Firearms International. The barrel was actually a hair over 23 5/8 inch (60 cm). I've never found a Firearms International or Sako catalog that lists the Mannlicher Rifle. They all show and list the Mannlicher carbine with nominal 20-inch, actually 19 11/16 inch (50 cm), barrel and a band with the front sling swivel.

Went back to Central on Feb 10, 1962 and got Sako scope mounts and a Weaver K8.

Love the Mauser, love the caliber, and love the classic stock. It's the trifecta for me!