Diopter sight for Mauser bolt action .22

1914mauser · Jan 15, 2017

How rare is a late diopter sight for a Mauser 350 B? The type that mounts on the receiver grooves and comes off the left side, then back to clear the bolt and bolt handle. What would one be worth?

Regards,

luftmacher · Jan 16, 2017

Even vintage after-market diopters are precious, but if it is factory and Mauser-marked, it is extremely rare.
Steve

Blue_Ridge_Parson · Jan 16, 2017

1914mauser said:
How rare is a late diopter sight for a Mauser 350 B? The type that mounts on the receiver grooves and comes off the left side, then back to clear the bolt and bolt handle. What would one be worth?

Regards,

They are very rare, and their very rarity precludes an accurate assessment of value. I have just such a diopter on one of my ES 350B rifles. Since the ordinary tangent sights on those rifles routinely go for several hundred dollars, I should think the diopter would go for even more.

I believe you are referring to the sight on the middle rifle (pictured here from my collection.)

BRP

1914mauser · Jan 17, 2017

BRP,

This one is like the one in the middle with the exception of not having knobs for adjusting windage and elevation. Instead it has square ends, that require a key like the bottom sight. One like it is pictured on page 87 of Speeds book, Mauser Smallbores.

Regards,

jhv 41 · Jan 18, 2017

1914mauser said:
BRP,

This one is like the one in the middle with the exception of not having knobs for adjusting windage and elevation. Instead it has square ends, that require a key like the bottom sight. One like it is pictured on page 87 of Speeds book, Mauser Smallbores.

Regards,

Like the bottom one in this photo?

1914mauser · Jan 18, 2017

jhv 41 said:
Like the bottom one in this photo?

View attachment 136767

Yes and no. What are you asking? The adjustment uses a key with a square hole but the sight attaches and looks like the one at the top of the add.

Regards,

jhv 41 · Jan 19, 2017

Uber rare. Someone on GB's picked one up for $450 back in 2012.

Here' a photo of page 87 in Speed's book with that one and the key:

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?263752-Mauser-B-series-sights

1914mauser · Jan 19, 2017

Yes, that is it. It is suppose to arrive today.

Regards,

1914mauser · Jan 20, 2017

It took an extra day ? terrible pictures

I am thrilled.

Blue_Ridge_Parson · Jan 21, 2017

Great Diopter!

I would be thrilled to find that too. May I ask how or where you found it?

BRP

1914mauser · Jan 21, 2017

quid per quo?

Blue_Ridge_Parson said:
I would be thrilled to find that too. Maybe I ask how or where you found it?

BRP

I'll share if you will. In the picture of your 3 rifles, what is the top rifle? I can tell the other 2 are Mauser ES 350 Bs? How did you come by yours?

Regards,

Blue_Ridge_Parson · Jan 21, 2017

Quid Pro Quo

The top rifle in my photo is of a Walther Meisterbuchse Olympiaschafte, which was the primary competitor of the Mauser B model target rifles in the 1930's. (Many would argue that the Walther was superior.)

My diopters came through various means: one on eBay (for a paltry $50) one through an internet forum (that one came all the way from Quebec) and the other from a gun show. You just don't see these very often, and as I always have more rifles than sights, I buy them when I can.

BRP

1914mauser · Jan 21, 2017

I thought it might be a Walther.

I primarily collect Mauser pocket and vest pocket pistols. I have a modest collection of Mauser .22 rifles because I enjoy shooting them. Like any collector I have researched them and have learned what to look for. I check several Internet auction and gun sales sites almost on a daily basis. I was looking at a pistol and noticed in the sellers other listings he had this sight. I basically found it by accident, as I was not searching for sights. It had a listed price so I jumped on it. It was at a pawn shop in a northeastern state. I also have a ES 350 & an ES 350 Championship example but it appears this sight was specifically made for a ES 350 B.

Regards,

Blue_Ridge_Parson · Jan 21, 2017

That sight was indeed intended for the B Model Mausers.
And while it is right at home on an ES 350B, it would work equally well on an MS 350B, MS 420B, or a Mm 410B.
It was a very fortunate find!

BRP

1914mauser · Jan 21, 2017

I feel very fortunate even though I do not yet have a MS 350 B, MS 420 B or Mm 410 B. I do have a very nice ES 340 B that I think it would also fit on nicely.

Regards,

Blue_Ridge_Parson · Jan 21, 2017

Quite right. Sorry I left that off the list.

BRP

1914mauser · Jan 22, 2017

BRP,

You have some excellent examples and your pictures are very good. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Regards,

Blue_Ridge_Parson · Jan 22, 2017

1914mauser said:
BRP,

You have some excellent examples and your pictures are very good. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Regards,

I'm always glad to share what I have learned along the way. Others have been most generous to me with their knowledge, and I am glad to pass that along. You have acquired a rare and excellent sight.

All the best---

BRP

1914mauser · Jan 24, 2017

Some better pictures

On my ES 350 B. ES 350 N or Championship model in background.

luftmacher · Jan 26, 2017

Here are some diopters from a friend's collection. He has mentioned he might be willing to sell one (or more?) but I don't have the details yet. Will let you know.
Steve

Diopter sight for Mauser bolt action .22

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