Was this gun an old military trainer?

[mrpackwolf]

All I know about this gun is that it is a Mossberg model 151 in 22LR. I can find no visible serial number (not having looked between the stock and barrel). It has a weaver scope attached in addition to a fold away peep sight visible in the pictures. It also has that seemingly military looking sling. Anybody know what the purpose or original use for this rifle might have been or its age and approximate value? I have never come across another one but am sure someone out there has.

 

[Geno]

Nice rifle! Here's a previous thread:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=249198

This site describes the various Mossberg models:

http://home.epix.net/~damguy/models.htm

Your model is about 1/2 way down the page.

Geno

 

[offthepaper]

Does it have the "U.S. Property" stamped into the metal?
If not, I doubt it to be a trainer, Most trainers I've seen were stamped as such and bolt action 22's.

 

[Ron James]

It appears to be a standard Mossberg 151K/M.

 

[lemaymiami]

Many years ago vast numbers of 22 rifles were manufactured with no serial number at all... Someone here can probably tell you exactly when they became required to have a serial number.

 

[GRIZ22]

The gun control act of 1968 required serial numbers on all firearms. Prior to that a serial number was optional.

 

[mrpackwolf]

Geno, your tip was right on. Looks like mine is the 1947-1948 151M(a) based on the info provided. So not a bad find. About 63 years old and in great condition.

 

[mrpackwolf]

Anyone know if these are still available in large numbers? I have not seen another one in West Virginia but we are a small state.

 

[mcdonl]

I picked one up today with the original scope. $149... the guys at my club want to start shooting .22 matches... I only had a couple hundred and I figured I would go cool instead of new...

 

[mcdonl]

So it looks like mine is the 151K model.... It has a plastic but plate, but it also has a scope.









Now I need to find the iron sights....

PS - Is that a scope adjustment at the rear?

 

[Carl N. Brown]

" Is that a scope adjustment at the rear? "

I have an early Weaver G3 scope with the adjustments at the eyepiece. The Weaver 330 used on Springfield sniper rifles in WWII also had a similar arrangement. The crosshairs in the early scopes were at the eyepiece, and usually moved around inside the circular field of view.

 

[mcdonl]

Thanks Carl. I cannot wait until this weekend to shoot this gun.

I looked at a lot of $200 new .22's and none of them felt as good as this gun. I may regret it, because like Larry Potterfield says.... "An accurate gun is an interesting gun." but it sure has some great features.

It is the only gun I have with zero markings on it. Even my 1895 French made MN has markings.