Information,Identification and dating of rifle

[fellowes]

First post! I would appreciate any information anybody could give me with regards to this rifle, which I have recently purchased. Pictures attached hopefully. Please ignore the scope and mounts.I have attached a few more pictures in a following thread. Regards

 

[mauser22]

Mauser ES340B

From the serial number and features made 1936 or 1937, likely was a War Trophy for a returning Vet of WWII.

 

[mauser99]

looks like an Es350b mauser target rifle with modern optics on it.. Made pre april 1940 at least with the BUG proofs on it. Thats the easiest was to kinda date these.. Eagle/N proofs are post april 1940.

 

[fellowes]

Mauser es340b

Mauser22,
Thank you for your prompt reply. The rifle shoots like a dream! As you can see I only have a cheap modern scope and mounts on it at the moment but I would like try an aperture sight, but without harming the rifle when fixing. Is this a common thing to do and if so what sights would be acceptable?
Regards,
Fellowes

 

[maxximmumm]

there was an original diopter -for some strange reason I can't upload a pic of mine, didn't have that problem in the past - post up an email address if you want me to send you a pic of mine or search on this thread there was a pic of a similar one in a past thread

it is an easily dismountable item that is held on via the grooves on the action receiver so no drilling or cutting or bolt re-shaping needed - could be hard to find one and expensive but go for it

__________

Mauser22,
Thank you for your prompt reply. The rifle shoots like a dream! As you can see I only have a cheap modern scope and mounts on it at the moment but I would like try an aperture sight, but without harming the rifle when fixing. Is this a common thing to do and if so what sights would be acceptable?
Regards,
Fellowes

 

[mauser22]

Original Diopters

As mentioned hard to find, may approach cost of the gun.

Another alternative is more modern diopter to set on the scope groooves.

Anschutz, Gehmann, others will fit those grooves, front may have to adjust with taller or shorter or a clamp on front globe could be used without altering rifle.

That, assuming your agenda is to do some shooting with it.

Unless an example is dead mint, or very rare, I am from the school that these marvelous old rifles were made to be shot. With proper care, you won't depreciate your rifle if you don't alter to accommodate the sights.

Good Shooting!

 

[maxximmumm]

+1 on regular shooting these 22 rf - I have found that the diopter can achieve as consistent 10 ring hits as using a 4x scope (shooting on a dedicated official 50 mtr indoor olympic target range) - the accuracy of the Mauser 22 is often so consistent it becomes almost tedious, and I need to change over to something else

pic should be uploaded now as I've figured the problem was due to pop-ups settings

____________________

As mentioned hard to find, may approach cost of the gun.

Another alternative is more modern diopter to set on the scope groooves.

Anschutz, Gehmann, others will fit those grooves, front may have to adjust with taller or shorter or a clamp on front globe could be used without altering rifle.

That, assuming your agenda is to do some shooting with it.

Unless an example is dead mint, or very rare, I am from the school that these marvelous old rifles were made to be shot. With proper care, you won't depreciate your rifle if you don't alter to accommodate the sights.

Good Shooting!

 

[swammie]

I believe this to be an ES340B not an ES350B. The rear sight is also some sort of post-war replacement.....maybe off of some other more modern German 22.

 

[fellowes]

aperture sight for es340b

Thanks for all replies. After doing a some research I found on Rifleman .org tha Parker Hale did a 'Sportarket sight PH16e' that should fit on the Mauser 11mm rails. Now to find one!
I too believe these guns should be enjoyed and shot. I made a mock up aperture sight out of a piece of lead and taped it to the stock to get an idea of height and position. Even with this crude set up I got a one inch group at 50yds

 

[fellowes]

aperture sight es340b

Thanks for the picture maxximmumm. Very interesting how it fixes to the rails but the long mount brings the aperture close to your eye, which the Parker Hale PH16e would not do. I have considered fitting a tang mounted peep sight which would obviously mean drilling two holes into the stock. Would I be defacing this fine old rifle or just adding to its history???

 

[mauser22]

Personal Call

[" Would I be defacing this fine old rifle or just adding to its history???[/QUOTE]


Your gun your choice. It's not the Holy Grail as for value the ES340B is most common Mauser .22 out there.

However, there are so many good diopters that will mount to the receiver grooves why not utilize them?

On the other hand if you are quite taken with the Parker Hale type mounted further aft and intend to shoot the gun - your call.

Worst case your gun in condition I see might take a $250 hit in retail value if modification done properly.

Trip worth the ticket price? Only you can decide.

Good Shooting!!!

 

[maxximmumm]

its a 22 rf there is no recoil - look at all serious competition 22 rf rifles even current made Walther and Anschutz - none of them requires the shooter to consciously have to bend head forward to get the eye to the aperture, particularly in the standing upright shooting position

and as you become more aware/observant you will also notice the same doctrine applies to virtually all manner of German mounting of telescopic sights - including for 22 rf - have a good look at pics of original scope mounted Mausers, the ocular is rarely located anywhere except about the same place as the peep in the pic I posted - the sights/scopes may appear set back too far to those unaccustomed to adopting the shooting style preferred by German shooters



_____________________

Thanks for the picture maxximmumm. Very interesting how it fixes to the rails but the long mount brings the aperture close to your eye, which the Parker Hale PH16e would not do. I have considered fitting a tang mounted peep sight which would obviously mean drilling two holes into the stock. Would I be defacing this fine old rifle or just adding to its history???

 

[fellowes]

aperture sight

Thankyou for all your input. I have decided to wait until I can get a rail mounted aperture and see how I get on with that.
Swammie was right about the rear sight. I bought an Identical one of ebay this week. It was advertised as a CZ/BRNO rear sight and with a little filing would fit easily. Mine on the rifle sights low. To zero at 50 yds you have to set the sight to 150. Unless of cause it is calibrated in feet in which case it is bang on!!!

 

[Shamba]

Rear sight identification

Hi - I suspect the rear sight is from a Brno Model 2 - this appears to be a common fix as lugs, spring, and slider are identical - only need to grind/file off a bit of the length in front of the lugs.
Hope this is helpful

 

[jhv 41]

Here are some factory ads showing options available for these models at the time.

As mentioned in this thread already, you could also go expensive and track down an original diopter or scope!

 

[fellowes]

Good evening,
After approaching 9 years of searching I have finally obtained a Parker Hale PH16E aperture sight to fit on my Es 340b.
I would be very interested in hearing of anybody else's experience with this aperture sight, in particular how the calibration system works.
Regards,

 

[fellowes]

Good evening,
After approaching 9 years of searching I have finally obtained a Parker Hale PH16E aperture sight to fit on my Es 340b.
I would be very interested in hearing of anybody else's experience with this aperture sight, in particular how the calibration system works.
Regards,

Here are some photos of Ph16e

 

[WreckTangle]

Good evening,
After approaching 9 years of searching I have finally obtained a Parker Hale PH16E aperture sight to fit on my Es 340b.
I would be very interested in hearing of anybody else's experience with this aperture sight, in particular how the calibration system works.
Regards,

Yea, getting parts together for a rifle 85 years later isn't easy. Congrads on the find. Where did you end up getting it? England or mainland Europe? U just never can see to find anything like what you all pull out of the woodwork.


I think Bruno, from France, is big into these type of sights... he has a bunch shown in his trainer rifle book... do you have it?

https://www.kkw-dsm34-22lr.com

 

[oldwing]

Fellowes, another congratulation with the finding of the period correct sight. I was aware of that very scarce Parker Hale sight but have never seen one for sale. (And probably never will). Even though there are many sights that will fit the 11mm grooves of the “b” model Mausers very few will clear the bolt handle and/or the loading port.

I ran across a 340b rifle several years ago that is British proofed and has a Parkerized barrel liner, broken stock, butchered front sight ramp. Price was right though. I picked up that aftermarket stock and I modified an Anschutz -Redfield adapter and put on an Olympic sight. The adapter simply clamps to the receivers grooves. It turned out to be a fun and accurate shooter.( I suspect the rifle had a Parker Hale rear sight on it at one time as the front ramp had a Parker Hale globe dovetailed in the front ramp when I bought the rifle)

 

[fellowes]

Good old uk evil bay was the source.
I did have to make an insert for the dovetail as someone had opened it up for a wider rail in the past.
I’m now trying to find the right combination of lenses to give my aged eyes the best crispness of view.
The best so far is wearing long distance contact lenses and my normal prescription varifocal glasses at the same time !!!!!
That gives me an amazingly crisp fore sight and the target is not bad. Aperture fuzzy as expected.
I have got a Parker hale six hole aperture coming with a slot for a corrective lens so I will see how I get on with that IF I can find some lenses to go in it.
Regards