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.22 Grooved Receivers
Ambrose
Member Posts: 3,221 ✭✭✭✭
The scope mount post by 338magnut got me wondering who started the .22 grooved receivers. My vote would be Mossberg: The 146B that I bought in 1951 was grooved. The 152 was brought out in 1948 and that was grooved, also. The 151M came out in 1946 and had grooves, too, but I can't find any references that state Mossberg started the grooves. One would have thought there would have been a patent involved but maybe it wasn't an innovative enough idea to be eligible for a patent. Anybody know of anything earlier than 1946?
Comments
I think that you are spot on. This article from Shooting Sports seems to confirm your theory. https://www.ssusa.org/content/groovy-tip-offs-for-22s-or-maybe-not/
As for a patent...I'm not sure Mossberg could patent two grooves cut into a receiver any more than a manufacture could patent drilling holes for scope rings.
Great question.
I have a Mauser BA 22 rimfire target rifle liberated during WW2 that has a set of grooves along the top of receiver meant to hold an adjustable 'peep' sight. Those grooves are remarkably close to same size as more modern receivers with so called 'scope mounting grooves'.