Haenel Mannlicher help

dwh · #1 06-22-2023, 07:02 PM

So I stumbled across this very interesting rifle today. The lady behind the counter had no idea what it was beyond the tag. It has a28in octagon barrel double set trigger and a dual front lugs on the bolt. The back of the tag said 6.5x54 mannlicher. It’s also a single shot. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

DWalt · #2 06-22-2023, 08:32 PM

This article might interest you: Handloading the 6.5x54 mm Mannlicher-Schoenauer | An Official Journal Of The NRA

2152hq · #3 06-22-2023, 08:48 PM

It is a commercial rifle made on a German Model 88 Commission Rifle action.

The builder of the rifle is G.G. (Carl Gottlieb) Haenel. An old line mfg in Suhl, Germany.

The Model 88 Commission Rifle was Germany's Service rifle before the Model 98 Mauser was adopted.

Haenel used the out dated and surplused 88 to build sporter rifles on.
Other gunsmiths did the same.

Most rifles kept their 5 rd below the stock line magazine which requires a sheet metal En-Bloc 'clip' to load and feed the rifle.

Some however were converted to simple single shot rifles such as this one. and the magazine dispensed with.

The rear sight shown is very typical of some of the Target rifles of the pre-WW1 period. Not those of the very elaborate Schuetzen style, but less complicated type. of rifle for recreational shooting.
The square knob is for a 'Key' that is used to move the sight settings and is a common fixture on German Target sights.
The Sight itself is sitting on rails milled into the top of the bbl. That allowed for different sights to be used and for the sights to be placed at different positions from the shooter

Many of the single shots were made up in caliber 8.15x46R
It was one of the most common Target Rifle calibers in Europe at the time and very accurate. Also used for Hunting small deer and other game.

Ballisticly it is approx to the 32-40 WCF.
It is a lead bullet cartridge and brass can be made from 30-30, 32Spcl, etc. Plenty of info on the net.
Pull the bbl'd action out of the stock and check the bbl under side near the action. There should be some cartridge, bore dimension info there.
Diameter will be the BORE dia not the groove dia.
Case length is commonly given also. All in M/M

It may also be a common 7, 8 or 9mm x57 caliber. All of which were chambered in the Sporters made on these actions.
Some special order rifles show up here and there made for US clients.
25 Remington caliber and 25-25WCF have been found.

So anything is possible.

2 opposing locking lugs at the front of the bolt.. BUT..there is a removable BOLT HEAD on the end of the bolt.
That Bolt Head is easily removed by turning it to the correct spot and pulling it off the bolt body.

Make Sure that BOLT HEAD is with the Bolt Body.
If it isn't you will just see an open bolt body and the spiky end of the firing pin looking at you.

Many of the German 88 Commision Rifles have missing bolt heads. These sporters are built on the same actions and can suffer the same parts loss.

Double set triggers are the usual set up on the rifles.
Check to see if in good working order. There should be an adj screw inbetw the 2 triggers.

I have a couple of the Haenel 88 sporters w/ 5 shot magazine. But no single shot target versions.
Haenel also made a 1902 & 1909 'New Model Mannlicher' to compete with the Mauser 98. Same split bridge recv'r.
But a 5rd staggered feed flush mount magazine . Mauser 98 style floor plate that was hinged at the front.
The bolt also has a 98 style gas-flange at the cocking piece not unlike the Mod98,
Beautiful sporters. They made a couple military contracts for S American countrys and some for China I understand. Paraguay was one of the S/A countrys.
I've 2 of those sporters and 1 other that must be a half way in betw rifle. That one was the bolt of the 88 sporter , the magazine of the New Model 1902/09
Different !

dwh · #4 06-23-2023, 09:01 AM

Thank you for the information. The set trigger doesn’t work the screw is missing. I’ll see if they can pop the stock off to look for the cartridge dementions.

Rudi · #5 06-23-2023, 12:09 PM

That is a cool old rifle.

2152hq · #6 06-23-2023, 03:34 PM

Here's some pics I had taken earlier of the last rifle I mentioned,,the Haenel 1902/1908 Sporters. This one is the 'Half Way Inbetw one with a sporterized Military stock and an 88 Commision bolt style w/o the gas flange.

You can see the Mauser 98 style staggered flush 5rd magazine.
Just load loose rds or use 5rd stripper clips.
No need for the Mannlicher 5rd En-Bloc sheet metal clips as in the 1895 and other Mannlicher designs

The way Haenel got around Mausers simple patented Z spring in the magazine is very complicated. Parts heavy lever and spring system that is a fantastic piece of work.
The Mag release on this one is from their 1902 style sporter IIRC. The other has a cross bolt buttom just ahead of the trigger guard.
You can also see the separate Bolt Head on the end of the bolt in the one pic. It can come off in disassembly easy,,made that way. It won't fall off in use.
But being easy to disassemble makes them easy to loose and some of these and their cousin actions are often just that.

..and the inside of the trigger guard reveals that the guard was orig made to be fitted w/a DST. That being the standard trigger on the New Model Haenel sporters.
A blank was used to fill the space and slotted for the simple Military style single trigger used on this hybrid.
The guard 'bow' is actually a separate piece from the magazine box as well.

Caliber is 7x57 Mauser as a large 'Cal. 7.' reminds you on the left recv'r wall. Bbl bore looks new.

That rear sight is a Lyman #36. Worth more than the $225 I paid for the rifle and the reason I spotted it at a small show.

The Lyman sight is mounted as it should be on the Bolt Release. However this bolt release is from an 88 Commission Rifle as you can tell it is a little short in OAL. But it works untill I make up a replacement for the orig Release cover.
The arm on the top is spring loaded and pushes out of the way as the bolt handle is operated back and then again forward.

Another project gun to get to.

Walter Rego · #7 06-23-2023, 08:09 PM

It's a cool old rifle if you like to tinker a bit and get it to work and handload to shoot it again safely. Since the tag says $600 ? I would certainly offer a lot less if I wanted to accept the challenge.

Regarding the rear sight, I used to own an ERMA .22 single shot target rifle. The rear sight has a square lug to adjust the windage. I found a set of brass clock winding keys on ebay I think that came in different sizes. One of them was close enough that I was able to tap it in place and the soft brass deformed enough to fit. Then I had a nice tool to adjust the sight. Something to think about if you buy it.

dwh · #8 06-23-2023, 09:15 PM

I’m definitely a tinkerer. I’m in good shape if it’s the 8x46 cartridge. I have 200rd of new 32spl brass and I cast as well. I’ll take a look at it again tomorrow.