Mossberg Model 42M-C .22 S/L/LR Bolt-Action Rifle, 22 in Barrel, Blued Finish, Wood Stock, 5+1
This post-war Mossberg Model 42M-C is a .22 S/L/LR bolt-action rifle built in New Haven, Connecticut in the late 1940s. It features a 22-inch barrel, a detachable box magazine with a 5+1 capacity, and classic Mossberg details like a right-side cheekpiece and a metal buttplate with a trapdoor compartment. The receiver is drilled and tapped with two screws for an aperture receiver sight, and the rifle wears a traditional blued steel finish.
The barrel is marked 42M-C with rollmarks for the manufacturer and caliber 22 S-L-LR. Iron sights include a ramped front blade and a barrel-mounted open rear sight, offering a clean, practical sight picture. A barrel-band sling swivel sits near the muzzle, supporting field carry without altering the stock layout.
Feeding is via a detachable steel box magazine, with capacity noted as 5+1. One 5-round magazine is included. The rifle is chambered for .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 Long Rifle, providing flexibility for a range of rimfire loads.
The one-piece wooden stock has a pistol-grip profile and a right-side cheekpiece, paired with a serrated metal buttplate that incorporates a trapdoor storage compartment. Length of pull is 13.5 inches. The overall presentation is a clean, classic Mossberg rimfire from the post-war period with practical features and solid build quality.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
What’s Included
- Mossberg Model 42M-C bolt-action rifle
- 1x 5-round detachable steel magazine
The Model 42M-C reflects Mossberg’s post-war refinements to their rimfire lineup. The receiver is factory drilled and tapped with two screws to accept an aperture receiver sight, giving the shooter a straightforward path to a precision sighting upgrade if desired. The installed iron sights are practical and period-correct, with a ramped front blade and a barrel-mounted open rear.
At 22 inches, the barrel uses a plain crown and carries clear rollmarks indicating the model and caliber. The blued steel finish complements the rifle’s traditional lines while the detachable magazine system supports quick reloads. Capacity is listed as 5+1.
The stock’s right-side cheekpiece and pistol-grip profile provide a comfortable shooting position, and the metal buttplate with a trapdoor compartment adds functional storage. A barrel-band sling swivel near the muzzle offers a robust mounting point for field carry without interrupting the stock’s contours.
Manufactured by O.F. Mossberg & Sons in New Haven, Connecticut, this 42M(c) variant dates to the late 1940s. Chambering for .22 S/L/LR enhances versatility, while the included 5-round magazine makes it range-ready.