This rifle should not be confused with its more widely manufactured cousin, the Mannlicher M1895, or with the so-called Mannlicher–Carcano, made infamous in the assassination of President John F. A Mauser 98 cost roughly half as much as a Model 1903, depending on era and particular model of rifle. In spite of being an excellently-made weapon, Greece could have easily bought the ubiquitous Mauser rifle instead, which is perfectly serviceable, and which was available in huge numbers, and for far lower prices than the Mannlicher–Schönauer, particularly following WWI. The 1903 Mannlicher–Schönauer carbine's light recoil, familiar iron sights-similar to those of the Mannlicher M1895 graduated up to 2000 m-and its quick-handling properties brought it widespread praise. The rifle was manufactured to high a standard and was made with tight tolerances, raising costs but improving reliability and durability. The rotary magazine contributed to the smooth feeding and high rate of fire without jamming. The 6.5×54mm MS cartridge had traits of a hunting round even though it had a projectile with a rounded point, it was ballistically efficient, improving accuracy at moderate ranges. The weight was around 3.75 kg, the magazine capacity was five rounds and was fed by a stripper clip system, or by single rounds if need arose. Both types were termed Model 1903 (not to be confused with the M1903 Springfield).
The Greek Army requested two main versions, one long rifle of 1230 mm length and a carbine of 950 mm length for use by cavalry and non-infantry troops. Their specifications may have dictated some of the rifle's characteristics. While small sporting concerns, such as William Evans of London, purchased actions for their rifles, only the Greek Army expressed interest in the design for military use. The original design, introduced at the World Fair as the Model 1900, allowed the development of either service or sport versions depending on market response. The characteristic that sets this design apart from others of the era though was the innovative Schönauer rotating spool magazine. The Mannlicher–Schönauer may be identified by the split in the rear of the receiver which allows the bolt handle to pass through, and double as an emergency locking lug when closed, in case of failure of the primary locking lugs. At first sight many confuse it with a Mauser rifle, due to the similar bolt and handguards. While the more famous Mannlicher M1895 used the less common straight-pull bolt, the Mannlicher–Schönauer had a conventional turn-bolt, more reminiscent of the Gewehr 88 and other typical military bolt-action rifles. The rifle action was designed by Ferdinand Mannlicher and the rotary magazine by his protegee Otto Schönauer of the Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft (Austrian Arms-Manufacturing Company now Steyr Mannlicher). The Mannlicher–Schönauer rifle was one of these novel designs. These were offered for the consideration of the Austro-Hungarian Army, for export to other armies and for the civilian market. Following the introduction of smokeless powder in the Lebel rifle at the end of the century, the Steyr factory worked on new Mannlicher designs, using more effective modern cartridges. In the late 19th century, the classic Mannlicher designs for the Austro-Hungarian army were based on the en-bloc magazine, a straight-pull bolt mechanism and were designed for obsolete large caliber cartridges.
3 Philippidis gun and Rigopoulos improvement.Post war use was for civilian use such as hunting and target practice. The Mannlicher–Schönauer (sometimes Anglicized as " Mannlicher Schoenauer," Hellenized as Τυφέκιον Μάνλιχερ or Όπλον Μάνλιχερ-Σενάουερ) is a type of rotary-magazine bolt-action rifle produced by Steyr Mannlicher for the Greek Army in 1903 and later was also used in small numbers by the Austro-Hungarian armies.
6.5×54mm Mannlicher–Schönauer (military and Model 1903)ĩ.5×57mm Mannlicher–Schönauer (Model 1910)ģ0-06 Springfield.