Woolwich Marked Mossberg 42 M-B

[1srelluc]

Hi all, first post.

I picked up this unserialed (except for a 57 stamped on the receiver) Woolwich out inspection stamped Mossberg 42M-B at a local shop. It also bears a P in a circle proof.

It's a early 42M-B with a steel trapdoor BP but no extra mag. All that was under the trap was a weighted jute rope pull-thru.

The Woolwich stamp is the only Brit proof it has on it. Nothing but Mossberg's B barrel mark under the wood.

Lend-Lease or a British Purchasing Commission "over the counter" purchase?

[breakeyp]

A very nice find.

[Simon P]

I have got three at the moment, one of which has a nice Broad Arrow on the butt. will have to check for the Woolwich mark as I didnt expect to see this marking on a Mossberg.

P.S. Great looking rifle.....

[Peter Laidler]

We have one similarly marked at Warminster and I assume that the number 57 is a locally stamped serial number, stamped at Woolwich for accounting purposes. Mind you, some aren't serially numbered so whether this is just speculation, who knows.........

Be interesting to see whether yours have a 'home made' serial number stamped on them Simon P

[Simon P]

I had a couple more turn up this weekend, I think at least one of them is an A.

All are seralised like this one. & marked US Property

This particular one turned up from a deceased persons effects and has never had UK proof marks until recently, it was unregistered & is rumoured to be a ex Home Guard rifle.

[AlanD]

This mark would be indicative of a purchase through the British Purchasing Commission (BPC) as opposed to Lend Lease.Particularly as the rifle does not have U S Property markings. Even though the Lend Lease Act came in on March 11th 1941 a lot of orders placed before this and some afterwords were processed and paid for by the BPC. The first order for 10,000 MB 42's is listed as 06/30/1941, so after LL, but that does not mean that all of the order was part of Lend Lease. The Woolwich mark does seem to be quite rare on British contract MB 42's but we will never know for sure how many rifles have this mark. There must be a few more of them out there where no one has picked up on this mark.

I would love to have this rifle in my collection.

Regards



AlanD
Sydney