This is a scarce example of an early pre-WWI Steyr Model 1895 straight pull infantry rifle that was converted into a M1895 type sniper rifle. These were manufactured from 1895 to around 1910 and were the primary rifle of the Austro-Hungarian Empire through WWI. There were very few sniper rifles produced, with most seeing service during WWI, then into the 1930s and even in the early days of WWII by the Germans. They used an off-set top mounted scope that was later adopted by the Germans for use on the WWI GEW rifles. The top of the scope is very lightly marked "Gew 17-7c". The top of the receiver rings are fitted with a single claw front scope ring with a single locking latch rear scope ring. The right side of the front base is stamped "2244", and the rear scope ring is marked "AZF/EAXI/2244". It is fitted with a German rifle scope marked "Voigtlander/Braunschweig/3X" on the ocular end of the scope. This set-up was very simple and robust. The M95 has the internal box magazine, which is why they offset these scopes. The rifle has the correct late pattern tangent rear sight graduated 3-24 (300-2400 meters) and the standard blade front sight. The left side of the breech end of the barrel is stamped with serial number "9147 S", with a faint but much larger "S" stamped on the top center section of the barrel indicating it was converted to the 8x56mm Rimmed cartridge. It is fitted with the walnut stock and handguard set with the milled barrel bands and trigger guard/box magazine and sling swivels. The left side of the stock has been renumbered to the rifle.

Very good with the exposed metal surfaces all showing a light gray patina finish. The scope and rings have an old possibly arsenal refurbished finish with several areas of light pitting on the outside of the scope tube and rear eyepiece. It also appears that the scope rings have been resoldiered back in place as the scope is slightly offset to the left making the reticle slightly canted. The optics are clear and the reticle is intact. The stock and handguards are in good condition and show numerous, scattered pressure dents, dings and scratches overall. These are seldom encountered!