*SOLD* Mossberg 42M(b) .22 S/L/LR Blue 23" *UNITED STATES PROPERTY STAMPED*

Bryant Ridge's Analysis:

According to our research, just two years into the 1939-45 War, Britain was suffering a serious shortage of suitable training rifles.  With all local manufacturers committed to the far higher priority of Service arms production, there were simply not enough small caliber rifles to go around. Local Defense Volunteer units (latterly the Home Guard) were utilizing almost anything on which they could lay their hands , and such small bore rifles as were in stock with gunsmiths or manufacturers were taken over by the War Office for distribution anywhere they might be of value for economical training purposes. The U.S.A. were already supplying much military material, and a request was made for a consignment of .22 rimfire rifles suitable for the purpose. The Mossberg Model 42 rifle was a sporting/target based design which offered an excellent basis on which minor modifications could comparatively easily be made to current production lines; the substitutions of the three-quarter length stock with a full-length military style stock being the most significant and obvious. The initial contract, in June 1941, was for 10,000 rifles. Previous to this date, Mossberg had used only a letter code on their production rather than serial numbers. Arranging to add the serial numbers required by the British Government took time, and the first 2,500 rifles left the factory not so marked. This the latter three-quarters of that contract ran from serial number 2501 to 10,000, no earlier numbering should be seen. 

Specifications:

Manufacturer: Mossberg
Model: 42M(b)
Serial: 18034
Date of Manufacture: 1944-1950
Caliber: .22 Short / Long / Long Rifle
Finish: Blued
Barrel Length: 23"  
Optics/Sights: No Rear Sights / Hooded Ramped Fixed Front / Mossberg No.M4D 4-Power Scope
Stock/Grips: Smooth Hardwood Mannlicher Style Stock
Action: Bolt-Action
Markings: Standard