Calling Milsurp guys! Did they ever make a...

Bigfatts · June 13, 2010, 11:09 AM

Commercially produced Steyr M-95? I bought this gun from a woman clearing out her late husband's collection, and I know nex to nothing about the rifle itself. I didn't really have the money for it but she said the ones that didn't sell were going to get taken in to the next buy back

, and this thing has too much character to be destroyed. She said it was marked as commercial in the ledger and if it isn't, someone put a ton of work into it. It's a takedown, the bolt locks the two parts in place when closed. Double set triggers- they work. Nice bbl profile and decent iron sights. Reciever engraving, nice stock with beautiful checkering/stippling. What do you think:

ISC · June 13, 2010, 11:34 AM

What caliber is it?

I'd guess either the original 8x50R. If it's in 8 x 56R it is probably a sporterized rifle.

Cosmoline · June 13, 2010, 01:06 PM

The 8x50R models were made into very nice custom hunting rifles by central European gunsmiths back when smokeless powder was new. That would be my guess as to what you have.

PetahW · June 13, 2010, 01:23 PM

Yes, Steyr both produced Sporting Rifles, and supplied actions to the trade in other countries (like Britain) for their own commercial sporters.

Here's a TFL thread on them:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=338890

.

Bigfatts · June 13, 2010, 03:52 PM

Hm... Thanx Petah, I'll give that a read. As far as caliber, all she knew was 8mm, so I'll have to have it cast.

Avenger · June 15, 2010, 07:45 PM

If you have a 7.62x54R case or round handy, you can check which the chamber is. Remove the bolt entirely, and drop a single 54R round or case into the chamber...if the rim is resting against the face of the receiver, than it is probably 8x56R. If the rim is slightly raised from the face, than it is probably 8x50R.

Oh, that rifle is a nice-looking piece of work. I'd say go for it unless the price is ridiculous.

ISC · June 15, 2010, 07:55 PM

The M95 was originally chambered for 8 x 50 and was only rechambered between the world wars. Military rifles that were rechambered had a large S stamped on the top of the barrel just in front of the reciever. Mine has the S highlighted in white.

finding 8x50 ammo is harder than finding 8x56. Making 8x50 ammo is easier than making 8x56 because the brass can be made from 7.62x54R.

mapsjanhere · June 16, 2010, 07:42 AM

If you take the barrel and action out of the stock and post pictures of the proof marks we could get a better idea about the where and when it was made.

June 13, 2010, 11:09 AM	#1
Bigfatts Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2005 Location: Lutz Posts: 1,528	Calling Milsurp guys! Did they ever make a... Commercially produced Steyr M-95? I bought this gun from a woman clearing out her late husband's collection, and I know nex to nothing about the rifle itself. I didn't really have the money for it but she said the ones that didn't sell were going to get taken in to the next buy back , and this thing has too much character to be destroyed. She said it was marked as commercial in the ledger and if it isn't, someone put a ton of work into it. It's a takedown, the bolt locks the two parts in place when closed. Double set triggers- they work. Nice bbl profile and decent iron sights. Reciever engraving, nice stock with beautiful checkering/stippling. What do you think:

June 13, 2010, 01:06 PM	#3
Cosmoline Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2000 Posts: 1,080	The 8x50R models were made into very nice custom hunting rifles by central European gunsmiths back when smokeless powder was new. That would be my guess as to what you have. __________________ "Know that the pistol has no value, we practically don't use it. We need grenades, rifles, machine guns, and explosives." Mordechai Anielewicz, April 23, 1943

June 16, 2010, 07:42 AM	#8
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	If you take the barrel and action out of the stock and post pictures of the proof marks we could get a better idea about the where and when it was made. __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

June 13, 2010, 11:34 AM	#2
ISC Junior member Join Date: August 5, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,982	What caliber is it? I'd guess either the original 8x50R. If it's in 8 x 56R it is probably a sporterized rifle.

June 13, 2010, 01:23 PM	#4
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	Yes, Steyr both produced Sporting Rifles, and supplied actions to the trade in other countries (like Britain) for their own commercial sporters. Here's a TFL thread on them: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=338890 .

June 13, 2010, 03:52 PM	#5
Bigfatts Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2005 Location: Lutz Posts: 1,528	Hm... Thanx Petah, I'll give that a read. As far as caliber, all she knew was 8mm, so I'll have to have it cast.

June 15, 2010, 07:45 PM	#6
Avenger Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Posts: 274	If you have a 7.62x54R case or round handy, you can check which the chamber is. Remove the bolt entirely, and drop a single 54R round or case into the chamber...if the rim is resting against the face of the receiver, than it is probably 8x56R. If the rim is slightly raised from the face, than it is probably 8x50R. Oh, that rifle is a nice-looking piece of work. I'd say go for it unless the price is ridiculous.

June 15, 2010, 07:55 PM	#7
ISC Junior member Join Date: August 5, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,982	The M95 was originally chambered for 8 x 50 and was only rechambered between the world wars. Military rifles that were rechambered had a large S stamped on the top of the barrel just in front of the reciever. Mine has the S highlighted in white. finding 8x50 ammo is harder than finding 8x56. Making 8x50 ammo is easier than making 8x56 because the brass can be made from 7.62x54R.