I first read about Mannlichers
a few years back and the more that I read the more I wanted
one. I found a national catalog company that had
numerous stores in the U.S. that carried fine used guns. After
a year I found one that had a Mannlicher I wanted. The
manager as well as two salesmen all assured me that the gun
was 95% or better. When I received the gun it was closer to
80% and I sent it right back. To make matters worse, despite
numerous phone calls and letters, it took this company 4
months to refund my money. And I never received an apology.
Finding Tom was like finding an oasis in a desert! After
buying my first Mannlicher from him, which was exactly as he
described it: new in the box that it left the factory in
with the factory target used to test it, I was so pleased
that I turned around and bought another Mannlicher from him.
Tom is from the old school because whatever you buy from him
is in exactly the condition he states or better. It is a
sublime pleasure to find a businessman like Tom and a
greater pleasure doing business with him.
John P. Andrade |
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Tom,
The rifle arrived today on time and it is just as you described - "New In The Box" - and Mint! It is actually much more attractive than the photo on your website. It is much darker and has beautiful grain and it also had the factory target with it. The dealer who received the piece for me looked closely at the checkering and said that this is one area that shows if it has been mishandled and there is not one diamond that has been compressed or distorted! There was a lot of chatter going on in the store, but when I unwrapped this jewel it got quiet. I felt like a kid at Christmas!
As I told you earlier I had owned two Mannlichers before. And before was over thirty years ago. The first was an MCA 6.5 x 54 and the second was also an MCA in .243 caliber. I was never able to own more than one or two guns at a time so I used them as trade items. The last one I traded on a boat and I have regretted it ever since. I have actually looked for that .243 for two years in this area but no one seems to know anyone who has these type of guns.
I do thank you for your honesty and I will surely do business with you again. Nobody can own just one!
J.E. Smith |
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Recently,
I completed a project of several months duration leading to
the acquisition of a Mannlicher-Schoenauer Deluxe 1952 DST
carbine from Tom Tompkins.
This carbine has very high quality, tasteful
engraving, and an elegant select-wood stock with a “tiger
stripe” grain. The
carbine is a completely original 6.5 X 54 mm of Austrian
origin (no Stoeger markings) with no alterations.
This carbine completes a long quest to have a factory
engraved example in my collection.
Now
this carbine shares center stage of my collection.
I
would again like to express my appreciation to Tom Tompkins
as a fellow collector and new found friend.
I hope that we will be able to do more transactions
in the future.
(name
withheld at the writer’s request)
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Tom:
The Mannlicher-Schoenauer rifle in 30-06 arrived and I could not be more pleased. In all respects the rifle's condition and appearance-- wood and metal was as you described. In a word the rifle is outstanding.
As you are aware, I have wanted a Mannlicher- Schoenauer since I was quite young. This was as a result of discovering a Mannlicher- Schoenauer carbine in the window of our local hardware store. I don't remember the caliber but it was a used and beautiful, full stock carbine, originally out of Stoegers. The man who ran the hardware store called it an "African carbine". He let me handle the Mannlicher. The rifle came to point quickly and it was the slickest bolt action ever. Moreover, the rifle conjured up images of hunting adventures in exotic places for me. My father, an avid and superb woodsman and hunter swore by the Winchester Model 70. In preparation for a hunting trip to Colorado, he tried to steer me to the venerable Model 70 but I pushed for the Mannlicher. After a day or two, Dad relented and we went down to the local hardware emporium to buy the "African carbine". Unfortunately, it was sold. Almost 50 years later and after many hunts with many fine firearms, I finally have my
Mannlicher-Schoenauer.
Best regards,
F. Alvarez |
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| Dear Tom,
The rifle is gorgeous! It is even prettier than I remember from
seeing it at the show last year in Las Vegas. Each time I look at it
I see something I hadn't noticed before. I am really glad you
recalled my interest in the weapon. I also appreciate your extra effort to get it to
me in time for Christmas. That took some doing. I hope we can do
business again sometime.
Bill Caruth
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CUSTOM KURT JAEGER
MANNILICHER SCHOENAUER Custom Mannlicher Schoenauer Model 1956, by the famous German custom gunmaking house of Kurt Jaeger in Mainz in 1957. This museum quality rifle is chambered in .257 Roberts caliber with double set triggers. This magnificent Mannlicher is stocked in fully figured French walnut hand rubbed to perfection. The stock is profusely carved throughout with climbing and twisting oak leaf and vine motif complemented by a lightly stippled background. The carving is in deep relief with a stylized scrolling pattern. The butt has a hand checkered horn plate and the pistol grip cap is polished ebony. The muzzle is capped with a custom crafted steel cap that has been transformed into a fully chisel engraved art form with oak leaf clusters and scroll. The floorplate is bordered in hand drawn Sterling silver wire surrounding a vignette of a running whitetail deer inlaid in silver with full shadow texture. The other areas of the floorplate are profusely chiseled in oak leak and vine work surrounding the Steyr logo. The action body is fully engraved with the deep chisel relief scrollwork and is signed Kurt Jaeger on the action top and the bolt is polished and engine turned. The barrel top is inlaid in flat Sterling silver wirework with a shield outlined by the silver and relief engraved around it. At the muzzle end is yet another silver inlay of intertwining silver wire just rearward of the sight ramp. The bolt handle, triggerguard, and claw mounts are also profusely engraved to match the rifle. The execution is perhaps the finest we have seen and is one of the most outstanding examples of Jaeger's capabilities. The gun has a claw mounted Pecar 3-7 Variable scope and it is crystal clear. The overall condition of this gun is minty and needs only to be seen to appreciate its condition. This is an important MANNLICHER and is for the serious collector or hunter. This rifle comes complete with the original bill of sale and original shop work order signed by Kurt Jaeger.
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| Dear Tom,
It's been a pleasure doing business with you. The Mannlicher Schoenauer was received on time and in mint condition, just as described on your Web site. I'm glad you were so accessible by phone. The information you gave me was very informative and helpful. The rifle was priced reasonably, and the scope mounts I purchased later were more than reasonable. I would definitely recommend you and your Web site to others who are interested in Mannlicher Schoenauer rifles and accessories.
Sincerely,
Lynn Garbrick
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30/06 Cal. Model MCA– Mfg. 1970. 20” barrel and double set triggers. The rear sight has one standing and one folding leaf. This gun is AS NEW IN BOX with test target. The wood is beautifully contrasting and the gun is mint! |
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Dear Tom:
Just a brief note to tell you how pleased I am with my recent purchase. It was exactly as you described, and at the target range the other day I found that it was nicely sighted-in.
It was a pleasure doing business with you and I would not hesitate to do so again.
Happy holidays.
Vince Mancini |
30/06 Model GK-Special Order Carbine- Mfg 1958. 20" barrel with front sight hood, Double set triggers and. Rear sight (one standing, one folding). German claw mount with Schmidt & Bender 4 X 36 scope with # 7 reticle and the box and papers. Retains virtually all the original blueing and finish and is in excellent overall condition. Also of note is the fact that this rifle was originally from the shop of Dschulnigg in Salzburg, Austria. |
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Lt. Col. "Walt" Young
September 25, 2000
Dear Tom,
I thought I'd send you a picture from my bear hunt in
Canada. I'm the guy on the right. My neighbor
(the guy on the left) went to northern Alberta last
May. We hunted with an outfitter called Silver Fox
Outfitters for 10 days. I shot two bears in the first two
days with your little Mannlicher Schoenauer. Fifteen
hunters took twenty nine bears; mine was the second largest
(7'7"X368lbs)
All of the hunters were crazy about that little
rifle. It was the most popular item in the camp as
everyone wanted to shoot the thing! I only shot twice
but still went through two boxes of bullets letting the guys
try it out.
We all had a great time...but the rifle you sold me was
in large part, responsible for making it a success.
I am going
wild boar hunting this fall in Poland. Then, red stag
hunting in South Eastern Germany. I'll send a couple
of pictures when I return. Additionally, I am waiting
an order for reassignment to Heidelberg Germany; probably
some time in December. I'll stay in touch!
Thanks again! As I remain....Sincerely, Walt Young |
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FROM: Mike & Karen Armstrong
Tom,
As promised I'm sending
photo's of our African hunt that my wife Karen hunted with
the M/S 7X57 GK carbine that we purchased from you.. The
little carbine performed wonderfully, handled like a dream
for Karen. After 3 day's and hours of stalking and
running, Karen was finally able to make a 200+yd off the
sticks shot for a perfect one shot kill on a record book
30" waterbuck, just a magnificent animal, and a true
trophy of the heart... The little carbine put the 160grn.
Speer Grand Slam through the point of the left shoulder
angling back through the heart and both lungs breaking the
offside shoulder and lodging just under the skin.. Tom, we
can't thank you enough for giving us the opportunity to
obtain this wonderful gem, and it shoot's like a house afire
and gave Karen the confidence she needed to perform
flawlessly.. She was also on our 5th day of hard buffalo
hunting able to take a wonderful old bull from a mere 12yds!
with my .375 H&H Sako after much belly crawling and
stealthy fun.. Once again a single one shot heart shot under
the most extreme conditions imaginable.... Now, if we can
only find me a M/S in 9.3X62, the world would indeed be
perfect!..
I am sending this e-mail
via friend at work as my cheesy webtv will not send
photo's..
Warmest Regards..
Mike and Karen Armstrong
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