MS350B - ID help needed

[MOAhunter]

A fellow I know has a most unusual MS350B, very different from mine. It apparently came from the estate of Swiss fellow who passed on in the 60's, that's all that's known on the history of it.
Pay particular attention to the bolt release, front swivel stud and extra trigger screw. The diopter appears to be built to fit this rifle. The stock is numbered to the action.
Although Jon Speed makes no mention of this stock, it certainly resembles a competition style stock of that period. Did Mauser build competition or custom rifles? If you have any specific knowledge of what this might be, please weigh in on this. Authentic or Altered?
Thanks,

 

[mauser22]

My take on it and Mr. Speeds

I just got off the phone with Jon who was looking at your photographs simultaneously with me.

We are congruent in our opinions as follows.

The rear sight is typical and Mauser made accessory.

Although special ordered features were certainly done by Mauser if the customer was willing to pay everything else we see here appears to have been done post factory by a very talented gunsmith.

The stock is well inletted and no doubt contoured and fitted to a serious shooter to his or her taste PERIOD done but not factory.

The modification to the ejector box is not factory. Likely changed the spring arrangement to boost ejection and provide more clearance for removal installation of the Diopter. Post Factory

The front sight globe likely an aftermarket adaption also but this type was available special order.

All of the work looks period and very well executed.

That all said, any MS350B is very rare, and as this customization is not likely done post imporation in recent years, does not significantly diminish value (my opinion). Depending on the purchaser and intended use it remains a very nice and rare rifle although post factory customized.

For a shooter it certainly should perform well and is more contemporary and tailored for accurate shooting than a "stock" MS350B (again my opinion).

Good Collecting!!!!

 

[MOAhunter]

Thanks

Myself as well as the owner of this rifle have been trying various avenues to determine its history & authenticity.
Mega thanks to you and Jon for weighing in on this. The information and opinions you posted are exactly what I've been looking for and I'll consider it conclusive.

I've offered to purchase this rifle from the owner when he's ready to part with it, as I'd really like to put it through the paces, but he hasn't got back to me yet. He claims it'll do one holers at 50yds and 1" at 100yds. Not bad for a diopter!

Thanks again,

 

[mauser22]

Thank you for Posting

While many or perhaps most collectors won't touch altered rifles, this one has it's place.

I sense by your title that you are a serious shooter.

I don't think you will be dissappointed with the way this rifle shoots.

I do think that "one hole at 50 and MOA at 100" may be optimistic but do not doubt that with the right eyes, shooter, ammo and conditions, it may be attainable.

Further, if one considers the cost of a contemporary target rifle of modern manufacture, paying a premium for this bit of history that should perform on a par with the best of them would be a no brainer in my opinion.

In the event you succeed in getting it and putting it through the paces I would love to know how it in fact did shoot for you and what ammunition you used.

In addition to collecting Oberndorf .22 rifles for many years (most of which I have shot and "put through their paces"), I have dinked around with the better European and American .22 rifles a great deal. Sadly advancing years, decline in eye sight and other abilities makes accurate shooting more challenging all the time. I will recommend that you start with ammunition running in the 1200 FPS or less range as the Mausers tend to perform best around that velocity.

Good Luck, Good Shooting, and Good Collecting!!!!

 

[mauser22]

Faster Horses, Older Whiskey, Better Rifles!

I forgot younger women and more money. (I forget more every day.) Shows you where my priorities are.

Life is too short to drink cheap beer!

Go for it!

 

[MOAhunter]

Here's to hoping

He still hasn't got back to me yet, if or when he'll ever sell. Perhaps I may have upset him when I suggested, "the benefit of time is on my side", because I was born nearly a decade after he acquired the rifle in the sixties. Maybe he's decided to be buried with it!
If I ever do get my hands on this one I'll definitely post some targets, and test a wide range of ammo: Lapua, Wolf and Eley to name a few. I'll put a T36X atop for benchtesting to see where it truly stacks up against more contemporary makes.
Should be interesting.

 

[MOAhunter]

I bought it!!!

My new MS350B arrived home safely today!!! Can't wait to take it to the range on Sunday.
It actually looks better in the flesh than the images. Seller did a top notch job packaging and included the original Mauser mag and the key for the adjusting the diopter, nice touch. I took some pics of my original MS350B side by side with the new one to get a better perspective on a very well built Circassian walnut stock.

Thanks again to Mauser22 and Jon for sharing your thoughts on this rifle. Very pleased!