GEM
Senior Member
I recently acquired this Mauser Mm 410B .22 Schonzeitbusche (off-season small game hunting rifle) from a local source. While not a trainer it shows that MO was still producing very fine commercial arms in the late war period.
After reviewing Jon Speedâs book on MO small bore rifles it is not clear when this one was made but likely in the latter part of 1944. The stock has late characteristics of a cheek piece, and capped pistol grip. The serial number is between the two pictured in Speedâs serial number list and is probably within the last five hundred produced, including a few that could have been produced under French occupation.
This specimen, reportedly imported from Sweden, is in excellent condition. The metal is 98% original with high quality bluing. While the walnut stock has some handling marks it is in very good+ condition. The rifle is all matching with a mirror bore. It is doubtful that 1,000 rounds have been fired in it.
IMO this rifle may have been sent to Sweden as part of the commerce related to German wartime acquisition of raw materials and/or foreign hard currency.
A search of auction sites indicate that while a limited number of Mm 410B rifles with the early style stock have been sold in the US I could find no sales of this version with the late stock style. I think this is a unique specimen.
After reviewing Jon Speedâs book on MO small bore rifles it is not clear when this one was made but likely in the latter part of 1944. The stock has late characteristics of a cheek piece, and capped pistol grip. The serial number is between the two pictured in Speedâs serial number list and is probably within the last five hundred produced, including a few that could have been produced under French occupation.
This specimen, reportedly imported from Sweden, is in excellent condition. The metal is 98% original with high quality bluing. While the walnut stock has some handling marks it is in very good+ condition. The rifle is all matching with a mirror bore. It is doubtful that 1,000 rounds have been fired in it.
IMO this rifle may have been sent to Sweden as part of the commerce related to German wartime acquisition of raw materials and/or foreign hard currency.
A search of auction sites indicate that while a limited number of Mm 410B rifles with the early style stock have been sold in the US I could find no sales of this version with the late stock style. I think this is a unique specimen.
