Mossberg Model 42M(a) .22 S/L/LR Bolt-Action Rifle – Scarce 1944–1945 Variant with Mannlicher Stock
Built in the mid-1940s, this Mossberg Model 42M(a) represents the scarcest version of the 42M series, produced only between 1944 and 1945. Chambered for .22 Short, Long, and Long Rifle, it features a near-full-length Mannlicher-style stock and a No. 4 receiver peep sight that prefigured the later 44US trainers. Collectors will appreciate its limited production run, all-steel construction, and period-correct blued finish.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good – intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: Minor scratching, scuffing, light pitting, and small blemishes are present on the metal surfaces and stock, consistent with careful field use.
What’s Included
- One steel Mossberg R119 pattern 7-round detachable box magazine
The 23-inch carbon-steel barrel is paired with a matching blued receiver for a uniform, classic finish. The barrel’s ramp front sight and receiver-mounted No. 4 aperture rear sight provide a clear, adjustable sight picture that suits both target work and small-game duties.
A hardwood stock finished in oil offers a comfortable pistol grip, a raised cheek piece, and a full-length fore-end that gives the rifle its distinctive Mannlicher profile. A metal butt-plate houses a trap designed for a spare magazine, a thoughtful feature unique to this model line.
The 42M(a) employs a smooth, cock-on-open bolt action feeding from a detachable 7-round magazine, with an additional round chambered for a total capacity of 7+1. This mechanism served as the design basis for Mossberg’s later 44US and other training rifles adopted by military programs.
Because the 42M(a) variant was produced for only a short period, surviving examples remain scarce. Its combination of wartime production history, versatile .22 chambering, and distinctive stock design makes this rifle an appealing addition for both shooters and collectors focused on American rimfire development.