Pb1-xMnxTe crystals were grown by the Bridgman method and by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Structural properties of bulk crystals were studied both by optical microscopy, after chemical polishing and etching, and by X-ray powder diffraction. For chemical polishing, a solution of 5 vol.% Br-2 in an HBr at room temperature after exposure for 2 minutes was determined appropriate. While a solution of 20g KOH in 1 ml H2O2, 2ml glycerol (C3H8O3), and 20 ml H2O at room temperature after exposure for 6 minutes was found to be a suitable etching solution. The lattice parameters of samples obtained in different ways (Bridgman and MBE) were determined.