Mannlicher Schoenauer Premiere Grade .280 REM – FACTORY CARVED, 10/10 BORE

Vintage Firearms is pleased to present an exceptional Steyr Mannlicher-Schoenauer Model 1960 MC Premier Grade rifle, chambered in the seldom-encountered .280 Remington and manufactured in 1961. The Premier represented the highest level of factory ornamentation offered on these Austrian sporting rifles, but this example goes considerably further: its extensively engraved action is paired with an extraordinarily elaborate factory-carved International stock.

Sculptured oak-leaf engraving covers the receiver, bolt handle, bottom metal, and surrounding surfaces, complemented by finely cut scrollwork, decorative borders, and deeply carved game-animal scenes. Its stock is equally ornate. Deeply relieved oak leaves extend through the full-length European-style stock, while a large game scene is carved into the right side of the butt. The carving remains crisp and highly detailed, flowing naturally around the cheekpiece and through the contours of the wood. Factory-carved Mannlicher-Schoenauer rifles are seldom encountered, the combination of extensive carving, Premier Grade engraving, and .280 Remington chambering places this rifle well outside the more common examples seen in the collector market.

The rifle remains in outstanding factory-original condition. Approximately 99% of the original blue remains, the screws are clean, the checkering is sharp, and the stock retains its original finish with only a few extremely light handling marks. There is little evidence that the rifle ever saw meaningful field use. The 20-inch barrel has a brilliant bore and is fitted with a hooded ramp front sight and folding rear sight leaves.

A period Redfield 2¾-power scope is carried in an exceptionally well-engineered quick-detachable mounting system. The mount permits the scope to be removed for use of the iron sights and returned to position while maintaining its zero. The scope has clear optics and a traditional heavy-post-and-crosshair reticle appropriate to a European sporting rifle of this period.

Mechanically, the rifle retains the features that made the Mannlicher-Schoenauer one of the most refined bolt-action sporting rifles ever produced. Its famously smooth action feeds from the five-round rotary magazine, which can be emptied through its release system. The double-set triggers provide a light, precise pull when set, while both the bolt-mounted and side safeties function properly.

The .280 Remington is an especially attractive chambering for this rifle. It offers excellent versatility for deer, elk, and other North American game. At 8lbs. 2oz. with the scope mounted, the rifle has enough weight for steadiness without losing the balance and liveliness expected of a classic European sporting arm.

This is more than a high conditioned Mannlicher-Schoenauer Premier. It is an unusually complete expression of the Austrian gunmaker’s artistry: extensively engraved metalwork, deeply carved factory wood, an uncommon American chambering, period optics, and exceptional condition. For the advanced Mannlicher collector—or the sportsman seeking a truly singular hunting rifle—it would be exceedingly difficult to find another example with this combination of features.