chatGPT gave the following advice.

What you can do if you want to identify your .22 Mauser

Gather all the markings: manufacturer’s name or code, model number or designation, proof marks, country of origin, any prefix or suffix on the serial number.

Use existing reference books, websites or forums specialising in Mauser firearms to cross-check serial ranges, model variants, export contracts.

Contact specialised archivists or research services (for example the Paul Mauser Archive mentioned) and send full details (photos, markings, serial) to request a certificate or verification.

Consider consulting a qualified firearms historian or licensing expert if your country requires proof of provenance or registration (especially given local laws for historic firearms).

I asked Dr Google  ;D

It seems to be a Ms 420, 1st generation.

I asked Dr Google  ;D

It seems to be a Ms 420, 1st generation.

Nice! I haven't met a Mauser .22 that I didn't fall in love with. I did a meticulous autistic grade restoration of an early Brno Model 2 that looked like it had been stored behind the seat of a bakkie and used to drive fenceposts but really wanted to start with a Mauser.

I asked Dr Google  ;D

It seems to be a Ms 420, 1st generation.

Nice! I haven't met a Mauser .22 that I didn't fall in love with. I did a meticulous autistic grade restoration of an early Brno Model 2 that looked like it had been stored behind the seat of a bakkie and used to drive fenceposts but really wanted to start with a Mauser.

Did you do a complete rebluing, or what are the possibilities to finish the metal? This one was probably used for the hammer when they used yours for the pole.

Another question: where could one obtain a new stock?

Did you do a complete rebluing, or what are the possibilities to finish the metal? This one was probably used for the hammer when they used yours for the pole.

As per the pic I sent you it was a full metal and wood refinish. The first stock was split almost completely into four pieces so before I got to refinishing it I had strip it of the oil the previous driver had soaked it and and pin everything back together with all thread and and tinted epoxy. The metal was draw filed flat, polished and then rust blued. It was a ridiculous amount of work to do for what it is but it turned out really nicely. I restored it as a gift for my daughter just in time for her to lose interest in shooting so I restored and a military trainer style stock that fitted me better and I now shoot it a lot and love the little thing to bits.

Well done. Must complement you on the beer brand.

Well done. Must complement you on the beer brand.

Thank you. Over an above being lekker it's label is really helpful in remembering where to put it when not sucking it down.

Another question: where could one obtain a new stock?

I've never seen one for sale here and importing from the states no longer seems doable. Other than a really lucky find popping up I'd consider either modifying and refinishing the one it's in or finding one from a CZ/Brno that someone has put in one of those chassis and modify to suit. Neither would be perfect or invisible obviously.

The little rifle is currently stuck in a badly modified stock of some kind. I am pretty sure that someone went to work on it with a blunt pocket knife. I also suspect that the rifle was either butchered for spares or disassembled and left lying because the original trigger guard is most definitely missing.

( https://www.flickr.com/photos/196234911@N08/shares/285xAH9U82 )

That stock looks to be in way better starting shape than either of the two I did for my Brno. I reckon a little building up with layers of similar wood and grain colour tinted epidermis or similar and you could whittle it back to quite a pleasing shape. The same approach can work to tighten up the action fit and you could perfect that with a final epoxy bedding. Nice thing is that the stock is big and blocky.

By thinning and tapering the forend and adding the distinctive grooves I think you could make something that would pass the sniff test. The forend is quite a bit too short but the 420s is longer than I think is typical. I'm getting a little envious, a commercial Mauser from the early 20th century is om my long bucket list. Restoring that would be a more comfortable rabbit hole that the guns or vehicles I've done in the past. I've asked my two Mauser collector mates to keep an eye out for parts and will let you know if anything comes up.

Heureka!

The Mm 410 and Ms 420 are basically the same action. Barrel length, fittings etc differ.

https://flic.kr/p/2rAK1r8

Hi Folks,

The stock was probably hand made, or belonged to some other rifle. I say this because the angles are all wrong. It would certainly do better with a telescope than with open sights because it drops exactly 1cm.

This photo explains the main reason why I take it to be handmade: (Not for sensitive viewers  ;D  )

https://flic.kr/p/2rCzMFY

I assume that the stock and action were severely damaged and that someone tried to salvage it. Even if one were to find a lower action plate, the stock would need to be redone to fit it.