Steyr m95

cote_b

cote_b

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Hi Guys

I have come across a Steyr M95 for a very good price. I havent seen pictures of it yet but the owner claims it is chambered in 8mm mauser. I know it could also be in 8x50 and 8x56. Im going to look at it later this week. Im hoping it will be in 8mm mauser. Any way to tell when I look at it? Will it be marked on the rifle?
 
Three ways you can tell relatively quickly:

1. If it has "M95M" on the receiver, it should be in 8x57mm Mauser, further examination of the bolt head and magazine will confirm. As Andy mentioned, every one that seems to come up (they tend not to be common at all) are sporters to varying degrees. They are also roughly the length of the 1924 Yugo short rifle which is close to the Kar98k. M95Ms also have a tangent rear sight.

2. If you have a big "S" stamped on the barrel just forward of the receiver, your M95 will be in 8x56R, the post WW1 caliber adopted by Austria. Many tend to be in like new condition in full military configuration.

3. If neither is present, there may be a chance she is in 8x50R. Captured WW1 M95s used by Italy and Greece, for instance, tend to be in the original caliber. These are normally well used and show their history off quite nicely. M95 Stutzens, for example, were used in Italian East Africa before and during WW2. These examples are "AOI" marked on the butt.
 
The original calibres are just as much fun to shoot, friend, and just as easy to put together once you have the tools.

There have been several threads recently on this forum regarding these rifles: check for "M95M" and "Mannlicher M95" and "Steyr M95". There is a lot of information in some of those.

DATING these can be a small problem at times. If it's Bulgarian, it will have a receiver crest of a rampant Bear in a shield, crowned, and it will be marked STEYR 1903 on the left-hand receiver rail. If it's AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN in origin, the date will be on the front receiver ring, along with the Arsenal mark: STEYR or BUDAPEST. There were none of these made after 1919, of course, the manufacture of MILITARY rifles being forbidden by the Versailles series of treaties.

Once in a while you'll run into a shorty with CIVILIAN proofmarks. I have one with wartime Vienna proofs: police rifle, obviously. Nice thing is that it's still in the original 8x50R: I make it out of 7.62x54R brass and use an 8mm Lebel die to push the shoulder back when it needs it: I'm cheap!

These are fun rifles and they pack a LOT of history around with them.

Hope this helps.
 
I thought the date was stamped on the barrel for M95s ? When M95Ms got their replacement barrels, the date of making of the receiver would have been lost.

Am I wrong ? If so, where would I look as I have a Steyr M95M at home that I am very eager to figure out the date of manufacture.
 
Thanks for all the information guys. Ill be checking out the gun this Friday and Ill post pics and info if/when I buy it
 
Hi Guys,

I saw the rifles and decided to buy it. It turns out that its a sporterized M95m carbine. Atleast its in 8x57. I payed very little for it, so Im not overly dissapointed. Its a typical sporter with a mismatched bolt. Im thinking of restoring it to its former millitary glory. How hard is it to find a full wood original m95 stock? Im taking it to a gunsmith today to make sure its safe to shoot.

Thanks
 
cote_b said:
Hi Guys,

I saw the rifles and decided to buy it. It turns out that its a sporterized M95m carbine. Atleast its in 8x57. I payed very little for it, so Im not overly dissapointed. Its a typical sporter with a mismatched bolt. Im thinking of restoring it to its former millitary glory. How hard is it to find a full wood original m95 stock? Im taking it to a gunsmith today to make sure its safe to shoot.

Thanks
Click to expand...

M95 stocks are not difficult to find, but M95M stocks (with handguard and fittings) like you need, are practically non-existent.
 
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