I found this .22 at a flea market alongside a couple others and was just drawn to this one in particular. Its a Mossberg 151m-b, and was, as far as I can tell, produced between 1948-1954 for this particular model and was made as a target/competition rifle. It also came with the original S-130 peep sight, but has a spot milled in to put a scope on it. With any luck I'll be able to find an original period appropriate Mossberg scope to put on it in the future. My only gripe was the grime, it looked as if the previous owner (the guy I bought it off of) never cleaned the thing, and the original finish wasn't the best. I'm also not the biggest fan of a varnished stock, so I cleaned the daylights out of it and refinished the stock. Refinishing wasn't so bad other than the stain. The varnish had a red dye mixed in so it took a little bit of time to scrape off, but it was completely worth it to see the beautiful walnut underneath. I also did a slight bit of modification to the stock so my hand could fit better. My thumb kept rubbing up top so I carved a slight indentation to fit my thumb better and it feels worlds better in the and now. Now all that is left is to find a place to use it. I'm curious if anyone is familiar with Enfield Outing Club in New Hampshire as I was thinking about signing up there and would love to know if its worth it.
Very nice work! That stock finish turned out well - I like the luster of a lower gloss or oil finish. There's just something that "fits" with old gun blue and walnut stocks.
Military trainer, I think I have shot a Springfield 22 M1 trainer before. I may or may not be a member of this forum. Some info of origin. Speigel is involved. Mossberg 51m Further My new rifle- old Mossberg 151m. Info needed.
Its an oil finish, I did 3 coats of tung oil and rubbed it down with steel wool in between coats. And I agree, walnut does fit just perfectly. The tinted varnish just washed out the character of the wood so you couldn't even see the wood grain, so I had no idea what was underneath it, but I was pleasantly surprised.
I realized I never posted any before and after pictures of the stock last night, so here you go. And I apologize for the picture quality as they were taken with my phone as the sun was going down. first 2 pictures are the original finish except the "fore end" piece as I remembered to take a picture after I scraped it. I really wish I had gotten a picture of it as it has some damage to the finish and wood. As far as I could tell it was initial heat damage then water damage, maybe from a hot water pipe that leaked because the varnish was gone in that area and the wood was stained black as if it was 'ebonized' which could happen from rusty water. second 2 pictures are of the stock scraped and sanded with no finish applied. and the last 2 pictures are of the stock refinished with the first coat of oil.
Agree. These types of rifles are keepers IMO. I love unique/interesting firearms, especially the ones that work well. There are so many cool old rifles. Lots of trial & error with some features and operations moving on and some never to be seen again with a few rare examples hiding out in random cabinets and safes scattered about, waiting for someone new to learn their story.
You are absolutely right, and there are plenty of testimonials online of people saying this is the most accurate rifle they've ever shot/owned, which I was thrilled to find out.
Years ago I had an old Mossberg 22 Mag single shot bolt action. Off of sandbags, that old gun would put 5 bullets in one opaque hole at 100 yards. alas I traded it on a Marlin 22 Mag that is not nearly as accurate because the trigger is junk.
I own one of those Marlins. There is a drop in trigger kit for them (882 microgroove is what I have), I just have not gotten around to it. I have tried to convey how bad those triggers are to others and I don't think they understand.
My best guess is that they had some lawsuit over a negligent discharge or something and remedy was to install 11# triggers?
