It’s only happened a half-dozen times in my life: a friend asks for guidance upon finding a firearm in a deceased relative’s possessions, a firearm that, sometimes, no one remembers as having been owned by the dearly departed.

Fortune last smiled on me a few years ago when a friend was liquidating his mother’s estate. A forgotten Mossberg Model 42B, bolt action rifle in .22 rimfire, was found in the basement of her home. The rifle had belonged to my friend’s father who died years earlier. To the best of everyone’s knowledge, this rifle had not been fired, nor has it seen the light of day, in more than 50 years.

Now, a utilitarian Mossberg doesn’t stir the soul like a Kimber, Classic or a Ruger 77-22. But, I was offered the rifle free of charge if I wanted it. The rifle was disassembled and still in the original box, a box in really ratty condition. Also included were several boxes of vintage ammo as well as a very old container of Hoppe’s cleaning patches, curio quality.

I enjoy returning long-dormant firearms to active duty. It’s one of the few endeavors that still makes me feel warm and fuzzy. I also enjoy researching the firearm in question. I learned that the Mossberg Model 42B was produced from the late 1930s to WWII and a military variant was used as a military training rifle in England. It came factory equipped with both peep sights and open sights, a hooded front sight and the receiver drilled for a scope mount. Fortunately, the detachable magazine was still included!

To be sure, this rifle is not in league with a Winchester Model 52 or an Anschutz. However, it has a 24” medium weight barrel and I suspected that this rifle would make one heck of an accurate plinker, even with its haphazard bedding.

My eyes no longer tolerate target grade peep sights so I removed them, purchased a scope mount from Brownell’s and installed a spare Tasco Pronghorn scope. The scope is parallax-corrected for a centerfire rifle but it doesn’t matter for my purposes.

The rifle was in excellent condition. There were some minor rust spots on the barrel and a bit of worn blue where the bolt dust cover rubbed against the receiver.

I put the rifle on my workbench and gave it a good cleaning. After a few passes of a wire brush and solvent, the bore sparkled like new. I removed gunk from the nooks and crannies. As with most firearms in the hands of people who mean well but don’t know how to maintain them, this rifle suffered from too much of the wrong kind of preservatives. Fortunately, whatever was used had not migrated to the stock, which would have softened and ruined it in critical places.

I fired the rifle, benchrest, at 25 yards using 80s vintage, Winchester Match ammo. The first two or three five-shot groups averaged about ¾”. Then, we both settled down and I fired five shots into one ragged hole of about 3/8” diameter. This was indeed a very accurate plinker.

This rifle would be right at home on a rural farm. Here in the suburbs where I live, it will punch paper and reactive targets but that’s about it. But, if a rifle could have feelings, I’m sure that this one is simply grateful to be back in the starting lineup, pretty or not.

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I don't remember ever seeing an old Mossberg box in any condition. I once inherited a similar Mossberg .22 rifle, which was a single-shot with rear peep sight, not the same as this one, but close. I sold it long ago, but for awhile, it was a fun rifle. I remember putting a leather sling on it. Unfortunately, Mossberg collectors aren't too plentiful and it will probably never be worth much..

Mossberg, like Savage are great quality guns at a reasonable price.
I've got a heavy barrel model 146? or something that is super accurate.
Great guns.

Great rifle and a very good story. That rifle has the look of a competition rifle with that full forearm, hooded front sight, and large bolt handle. A super find!

Check on Rimfire Central under the Mossberg sub-forum. There's lots of info there.......

I'd gladly take/choose that rifle over some of the more expensive synthetic stocked "junk" being sold today that can't/won't even group as well.

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

With the new grandson I went on a binge with 22cal revolvers, pistols, turn of the century single shot rolling block, falling block, bolt actions and pump rifles. The lad has a head start.

Congrats on your find.

There's a book on military surplus 22cal training rifles. These treasures can be found in any lgs covered with dust.

U.S. MARTIAL .22RF RIFLES,,,,, by Thomas D Batha

If your going to go browsing go with knowledge. You will find some hidden treasures.

My father has a 144 US that he says will shoot the eyes out of a snake at 50yds... When you get a good one like that, I don't see the need for a 52, or anschutz, etc.

I also rescued one of these. A couple of years ago I responded to an add on Armslist for an old Springfield and while talking to the seller (an older gentleman) i asked if he had any other old rifles to sell. He said "no", but he mentioned that he had an old Mossberg that was in such bad shape that he wouldn't want to try and sell it. I asked him to bring it to our meeting anyway...that i'd like to see it.

He was right...it was in bad shape...broken bolt handle and missing magazine, trigger guard, and floorplate, and the stock had been lacquered and was very scratched up. But the bore was mirror-bright and it was U.S. Property stamped so i gave him $50 for it...he seemed surprised.

Turns out that the SN was in a range of 3000 Model 42's made in Jan. '43 and sent to England for use as trainers.

Rounded up a few missing parts and put a little elbow grease into the stock and now it is one fine shooting rifle. One of my favorites.

I picked up a Sears model 25 (made by High Standard), a 51 year old 22 rifle, handed down in the same family and taken amazing care of.

I have a Ruger 10/22 and it's a great utility rifle, there is no comparison between the two from a quality build standpoint

By the look of that box - couldn't imagine anything else but a pile of rust coming out of it.
Beautiful looking rifle now. Nice job.

Be aware these can be habit forming. But there neat.

I had a mossberg 144LS for lyman sights trigger broke like a glass rod. Used to take it to a local range and proceed to shoot the centers out of smallbore targets at 50 yards. heavy barrel too. Frank

Firearms gave a lot of gun for the money.
Also there is a Mossberg Collectors Association:
"www.mossbrgcollectors.org"

Great story. Well told. One more thing for you (and that rifle) to be thankful for today. Thanks.

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

I am partial to old blot action rifles. Looks very nice and I am glad that it will have a safe home and be cared for for another generation. When the time comes, make sure to pass it on to a good home.

For that purpose, I like something that shoots paint balls.

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Not in jail.