Mossberg 42MB(a)

[Buccaneer]

I bought this little rifle at the weekend from a small local auction. It is believed to have come from a private collection and has had virtually no use as there is very little wear anywhere on the rifle. I think from the serial number it is from the early 1943 batch and is complete with its original sling which also looks to be "new", the barrel is screw cut which I understand to be fairly rare. I have taken lots of pictures and would appreciate any comments as my knowledge on the Mossberg rifles is rather thin.

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Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[emmagee1917]

Nice looking example . It does have some issues . The threading on the bbl is prob'ly for a suppressor ( they were legal and cheep in England then ) . It was not there originally . The front sight base had an assortment of swing up blades and peeps in the empty slot. Pushing down on the plunger in the front allowed you to pick one and swing the rest over to the side. There was a slip on hood with a slot for any unused blades to flip through and stick out the side. The current blade post is an unoriginal add on. The sling is a WW2 USGI M3 sling for the Thompson SMG . Yours , in that condition , is worth about $100 alone.
Chris

[sakorick]

The 42M-B were issued to the British under the lend lease program. Your MB(a) fell into contract W-478-ORD-3077 which included 5,000 rifles at a cost of $13.49 each, SN's 38001-43000 was your guns range. The (a) designation was given to rifles with the new extractor. Some of the (a) rifles wound up in the British Navy....yours did not. Most of the 42M rifles were sent to England and stayed there for a period of 2 to 10 years after the war was over. Many rifles(like yours) were modified/sporterized. Your rifle for instance has had the front sight changed at least twice and has what looks to be a Parker Hale aperture on the #4 peep sight. Many of the rifles like yours made it in to the indoor shooting clubs and the silencers were required by range authorities. Many of these rifles were reblued and refinished and I suspect yours was along the line. If you look closely to the proof mark there will be a letter on each side of the crossed lances. If you can tell me what they are I can tell you when it was proofed. You have found a terrific historic rifle and it's a prime example. Regards, Rick.

[Buccaneer]

If you look closely to the proof mark there will be a letter on each side of the crossed lances

The letters/ numbers appear to be left L right 8 with a 4 at the bottom, I have checked the aperture on the rear sight and it is not marked with any information as to its maker. I realise that the extractors were different hence the (a) so I tried to get a good close up picture of them. Paul

[sakorick]

The right letter should be a B. The left letter is probably not a L. Can you look with a glass? The 4 is the inspectors mark. None of the apertures were marked, however, it makes not a wit. Many of these Receiver sights were replaced with Parker Hale sights which IMHO are not as nice as the good old #4 Mossy! You should report this rifle on the Mossberg thread of Rimfire Central. I am collecting data on these guns for the Mossberg Collectors Association. With your permission, I will post your rifle in the next quarterly newsletter. Regards, Rick.

[Buccaneer]

The right letter should be a B. The left letter is probably not a L. Can you look with a glass? The 4 is the inspectors mark.

I have attached a photo of the mark, the left letter could be a "C" but is not well struck, the right letter is definatly a "B". Please feel free to use any information of pictures, I think I took all of the relivant ones but if you need any more please let me know. Sorry about the grainy appearance of the picture but it is the best I could get it to make it readable. Paul
Attachment 48094

[sakorick]

I have attached a photo of the mark, the left letter could be a "C" but is not well struck, the right letter is definatly a "B". Please feel free to use any information of pictures, I think I took all of the relivant ones but if you need any more please let me know. Sorry about the grainy appearance of the picture but it is the best I could get it to make it readable. Paul
Attachment 48094

Your rifle was proofed in 1953 and that is consistent with many of these 1950-1954. I'll include it in the survey. Thanks a million. Regards, Rick.