Mossberg 42MB(a)

[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.