Finally, a Nice Score at Cabelas

[vintage hunter]

One of these days I'm going to get an original scope and mount for mine but it's one of those things I don't want to buy without being able to see one up close and personal first. I have a K-VAR and McCann aftermarket mounts, both are very well made, solid and work just fine. The K-VAR is a quick detach throw lever design similar to the original and the McCann is secured by two 1/4-20 cup point set screws. The McCann is about 1/4'' taller than the K-VAR, which is about as low as one can get and still clear the rear sight aperture housing when sliding it on the dovetail.
I got my 49/56 8 or 9 years ago at a gun show. It was still sealed in the shipping box and the guy I bought it from was selling it because ammo was difficult to find and he also had one of the .308 conversions. I took it to be new unissued but it may be a rebuild I'm not sure. 4-75 is stamped on top of the bolt carrier and is the only date I see. Never had it apart, haven't had a reason to so far.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

One of these days I'm going to get an original scope and mount for mine but it's one of those things I don't want to buy without being able to see one up close and personal first. I have a K-VAR and McCann aftermarket mounts, both are very well made, solid and work just fine. The K-VAR is a quick detach throw lever design similar to the original and the McCann is secured by two 1/4-20 cup point set screws. The McCann is about 1/4'' taller than the K-VAR, which is about as low as one can get and still clear the rear sight aperture housing when sliding it on the dovetail.

My research indicates the K-var(the one I would choose) is no longer produced. Both seem a bit too high above the bore. I have even toyed with the idea of having one made.

[Aragorn243]

If it were rebuilt, there should be a small rectangle with a P## inside it. The ## indicating the year it was rebuilt. This would be on the left side of the receiver. Mine is P82 thus rebuilt in 1982. I don't know exactly what year is was made just a range based on the "G" prefix.

Seems no one knows for sure how many were built or how many survived. There were 3 series, F, G, H with 99,999 in both F and G and 78,000 in H is the highest observed.

There seems to be no F series rifles remaining which seems really odd. Production ended in 1963.

F series - 1956-58, years of production, they haven't found an F series yet.
G series - 1958-60
H series - 1961-63

The barrels have fabrication dates on them but I'm assuming I have to take the rifle apart to do that and I don't have the proper tools so that isn't very likely. Barrels may have been replaced up to three times so that is not a good indicator of production.

[vintage hunter]

The K-VAR has been out of production for at least 10 years now and the McCann for about 8. I got my McCann straight from the manufacturer and he told me back then they were thinking of discontinuing it due to low sales.
These mounts slide on the receiver dovetail from the rear and must clear the rear sight so I'm not sure it would be possible to get them any lower without removing sight altogether and if you did theres the chance the ejected cases would impact the scope or mount. That's already a problem for scopes with much over 32mm objectives.
It's been discontinued longer than the mount but McCann Industries also used to make an AR-15 style tubular forend and an adapter that allowed AR-15 grips and butt stocks to be fit on the 49/56. There was a time when I wouldn't minded having a set of those.
P.S. there is a P82 on the left receiver of mine so it's a rebuild. I don't feel so bad about shooting it now.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

If it were rebuilt, there should be a small rectangle with a P## inside it. The ## indicating the year it was rebuilt. This would be on the left side of the receiver. Mine is P82 thus rebuilt in 1982. I don't know exactly what year is was made just a range based on the "G" prefix.

G prefix here along with P71 and P82. Thanks for the lesson.

[Aragorn243]

G prefix here along with P71 and P82. Thanks for the lesson.

Yours was rebuilt twice. Must have seen a lot of use. I guess there could be other letters besides "P", that indicates the arsenal where it was rebuilt. I think the 4-75 must be a part number because my carrier has the same stamping on it.

[Anzac15]

Absolutely loved mine, sold it to a friend, wish that I hadn't! On the lookout for another one. Of course the only drawbacks about these are trying to find French 7.5. Fortunately I managed to hoard quite a bit of it. Incredibly fun and easy to shoot, and pretty darned accurate.

[Aragorn243]

Why is it every time I finally find a rifle I like and can afford, all the accessories for said rifle are all sold out or priced 2-4 times what they were going for just a few months prior. No night sights, no cleaning kits, scopes are out of sight, magazines double.

Slings I can find but that's about all the luck I've had so far. Good thing I had the bayonet already and some ammo.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Why is it every time I finally find a rifle I like and can afford, all the accessories for said rifle are all sold out or priced 2-4 times what they were going for just a few months prior. No night sights, no cleaning kits, scopes are out of sight, magazines double.

Slings I can find but that's about all the luck I've had so far. Good thing I had the bayonet already and some ammo.

If you identify the problem let me know as I am in the same boat. Day late and many$$$ short. I will keep an eye out for the mags sight etc... and post what I find.If I find two scopes at a decent price I will let you know. I bought extra mags and cleaning kit on evil-bay but it seems as though I saw some after at a lower price.

[vintage hunter]

I'm still considering an original scope but so far I'm happy with the aftermarket rig just for hunting. It sure did the trick on this ole boy this a.m. A 242 yard shot in the fog. I've had it all these years and this is the first deer I shot with it. I was beginning to think it was a jinx.