The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Salut,

Here are some of the seller's photos of a 22LR Mauser MM 410B .
The bore is very good but the original finish, or what is left of it, is quite damaged ...








I tend to shoot those 22Lr trainers so it will go to the range but I got this one mainly because it is just such a beautifull piece of early 30's Mauser production.

Unfortunatly I applied, as it is my first FAC in the UK, for only two 22lr slots, one Semi-Auto for gallery type of shooting and one bolt action for 25/50 yards "target".

The rifle is currently abroad - Question is :

- does it travels to England to fill that 22LR bolt slot and get shoot twice/month maybe more. I feel that if it gets out frequently it might benefit a new coat,

- or does the 410 goes to France and stays "as it is" and get only get shoot once in a blue moon and I look for an other 22lr Trainer for the UK . I have my eyes peels for a ES 340B or, if I find, an MS 420B,

My gut instinct as with all old weapons or collectors objets is to leave it "as it is" with just minimal work to prevent further dammage. But I am really sitting on the fence with this one.

So I am curious of hearing what would you do ?
Leave it as it is or take it to the gunsmith for a re-bluing ?

thanks,



NB - On this page you can see a pristin one ... :shock:
http://www.k98k.info/index.php?p=showto ... e-mm-410-b

Me I'd leave it as is, its condition is its own honest story.

I had all my historic training rifles on "collect and occasional use" condition on my FAC and, unless I couldn't avoid it, in as found condition rather than as new.

Froggy,

Clean it, love it, shoot it please, please, don't 'restore' :shock: it.

I agree. clean it and cherish it.

I had a shotgun with some surface rust many years ago, I oiled it using very very fine wire wool, it removed the roughness of the rust but did not damage what was left of the finish so it felt a lot nicer to handle. A gentle touch is required if you really feel you want to do this.

I agree,

Clean very carefully with very fine wire wool and gun oil and enjoy!

Cheers, John.

John25 wrote: Clean it, love it, shoot it please, please, don't 'restore' :shock: it.

Totally agree, clean it and preserve the history but stop any more decay and enjoy it. Bit like wrinkles, earned through age and experience.

Remember Froggy, we are the custodians of such rifles, we are maintaining and storing and cherishing them until the next custodian takes them over for safe keeping

Re-

The verdict seems unanimous

we are the custodians of such rifles, we are maintaining and storing and cherishing them until the next custodian takes them over for safe keeping
I like those words a lot

I always find this question a bit strange if it was an old car or a peice of fine furniture it would be restored to like new and people would pay a fortune for it but when it comes to guns many say leave it as is . I think it all depends on its rarity a No 4 Enfield isnt exactly a rarity and if you wanted one that looked like new well thats your choice . I have had several .22 target rifles a couple I thought warrented a complete restoration and some just a serious clen up . Its funny because the Yanks seem to restore to like new or just customise the hell out of it . Horses for coarses , its what you feal is right at the time .

Dave

ps for me theres no room for cabinet queens whatever I choose to do it has to be usable . As for your Mauser buy it and enjoy it .