Mossberg Model 151M(a) .22 LR Semi-Automatic Rifle with Mannlicher Walnut Stock
Produced during Mossberg’s brief 1947–48 run of the 151M(a) variant, this full-size .22 LR rifle pairs a 20-inch carbon-steel barrel with a distinctive two-piece faux-Mannlicher walnut stock. Early tip-off scope grooves, an integral 15-round butt-tube magazine, and instant takedown blowback action make this post-war design both practical and collectible.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The metal and wood surfaces display minor to moderate scratching, scuffing, and blemishing consistent with regular field use.
What’s Included
- Mossberg Model 151M(a) .22 LR rifle
- Integrated 15-round butt-tube magazine
- Front quick-detach sling swivel stud (installed)
The 151M(a) stands out for its patented two-piece Mannlicher-length walnut stock complete with Monte Carlo comb and cheek-piece—features rarely found on rimfire semiautos of the era. The stock provides a comfortable 13.75-inch length of pull and lends the rifle a classic European profile.
Mossberg engineered the receiver with early tip-off grooves, allowing easy scope mounting long before this became standard on rimfires. For iron-sight enthusiasts, factory-drilled and tapped holes accommodate the optional S-series aperture sight.
The straight blowback action feeds from a 15-shot magazine housed discreetly in the buttstock, keeping the forend slim while offering ample capacity. An instant takedown system lets the shooter separate barrel and receiver from the stock for quick cleaning or compact transport.
Built entirely of blued carbon steel and American walnut, the rifle reflects post-war U.S. craftsmanship. Its short production window and combination of practical and forward-thinking features give the 151M(a) enduring appeal to shooters and collectors alike.