[Kazru]

Alrighty so it goes like this. My Grandfather had all his guns stolen awhile back (including a 30/40 Krag of some kind) and after getting a 91/30 and a few other guns he wanted to give me his now empty gun cabinet. However he said he had one gun hid because his cabinet was full and he wanted me to have it. Its an m95 Steyr in pretty rough condition and I know very little about these guns so I was hoping if I put a few pictures up maybe you guys here on the boards could help me out.

The gun is marked Steyr M95, and on the side of the receiver is marked 1712H. As far as number markings that is all I can make out. His story was he got it from a guy who was a vet so I think it was braught back so it has no import mark anywhere as well as i've noticed that hole in the front top of the receiver. Is there something that goes over that or has someone perhaps done something to it? The S that was marked on these guns to show the ammo conversion from 8x50mm went here. So i'm wondering if it still chambers and fires the original ammo. Also how do you tell what year it was made? I assume it has something to do with the 1712H but not sure how / what / why. If someone wants some other type of photos I will post them up. I also think the bore could be cleaned and oiled fairly well, it does not look bad. Thanks for any help guys.

[Zephri]

Looks Like someone demilled it because that hole is cut into the barrel.

[Kazru]

Demilled means what? I'm a little new to the firearms world as far as owning them.

[texnmidwest]

Means they cut a hole in the chamber rendering it unusable.

[Kazru]

Why would someone do that exactly?

[Yogi]

Maybe the US Govt. To reneder a relic/war booty unusable?

[gandog56]

Because some people like wallhangers and don't want to go through an FFL?

[TheJoker]

Looks pretty darn dangerous. How does opening the barrel up keep it from chambering or detonating a round?

I noticed it has the pre-1930's rebuild sights. It might be a WWI bring back.

These were only manufactured between 1897 and 1918. The year of manufacture would have been stamped where the hole has been cut, so you might never know the exact year.

[sdoyl123]

They were drilled out and the firing pin is probably welded so it wont fire. I have one of these. They are sold as wallhangers. You need no FFL or C&R to buy. There was alot of this during the 80's with all the surplus out there but they could not sell due to bans on them. They drilled them and sold them as decorations.

[gandog56]

Looks like it was the full size rifle and never converted to 8X56R, though.