Mounting a scope on a single bridge Mauser .416 Rigby

[cem rona ergin]

German or Austrian

German

 

[Shootist43]

I truly understand your desire to take this rifle to Africa and hunt with it. It was "born" to hunt. However if you are really thinking about taking game at longer distances please do yourself and ALMOST ALL OF US a favor. Buy yourself another rifle or rent one from your outfitter. Put both of them in the rifle rack of the safari vehicle and grab the one most suitable for the shot to be taken.

In my humble opinion it would be a shame if not a travesty to mount a scope on that beautiful rifle.

 

[boldo 42]

I would leave it open sighted and buy a 9.3x62 or a brno 375h&h for the scoped stuff. That rifle is too stunning to tamper with.

 

[cem rona ergin]

let's see what kind of solution Herr Wiethaup comes up with and then we will decide..
I know buying or renting another rifle is an option but I really would like this rifle to be my all purpose rifle for Africa.But I won't do it if it is going to ruin the rifle .

 

[nztimb]

I truly understand your desire to take this rifle to Africa and hunt with it. It was "born" to hunt. However if you are really thinking about taking game at longer distances please do yourself and ALMOST ALL OF US a favor. Buy yourself another rifle or rent one from your outfitter. Put both of them in the rifle rack of the safari vehicle and grab the one most suitable for the shot to be taken.

In my humble opinion it would be a shame if not a travesty to mount a scope on that beautiful rifle.

I have to wholeheartedly aggree with this statement. That is a simply georgous rifle and it would be like putting a towbar on a bugatti veyron and dragging a trailer with it to put a scope on that rifle that is purpose built and suberbly accented as an opensighted rifle.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Stunning rifle! There are those on this thread who know much more about this subject than I, so I will defer to their knowledge on this subject. But I'm glad you had a good time hunting with @AAA Africa Serapa Safaris and would love to read a full hunt report!

 

[larry4831]

A rifle that beautiful.....I would just leave It alone. It's gorgeous! I would not want to risk damage to it.

 

[DM Shooting]

Well I may be looking at this wrongly but that's not a single square bridge it's an ex military rifle a very well customised one.

This can easily have a scope fitted in any number of ways simiplest is drilling and taping adding bases up swing of mounts or claw mounts.

The first is simiple I did 4 today that way.

 

[Shootist43]

Ok guys, let's get the record straight. Is DM Shooting's observation correct? That this is just some dolled up K 98, or is this in fact a single square bridge Mauser? I'm no expert and unqualified to render a considered opinion one way or the other. What I can say is that if this rifle is nothing more than a dolled up K 98, where can I buy one that looks just like it?

 

[DM Shooting]

Rigby Westley Richards Purdey and Holland & Holland all used them, Chas Hellis still does all British makers I'm sure other companies still use them I know I do.

 

[rookhawk]

You know what, @DM Shooting might be right. Not positive. Here's the pics for all to determine whether the back bridge is a square bridge or if it is simply a round 98 with some edge profiling work done upon it:

This:

Versus this:

 

[DM Shooting]

There are 2 thing that make me believe it's not a SSB and a military convert

1 it has the military thumb cut out and charger hump for loading strip clips of ammo.

2 it's not got any square bridges both round.

So from the top Double Square Bridge
Middle single square bridge. Bottom military style 98 action

 

[Shootist43]

Does this rifle have any "military crests or markings?" If not does it have a serial number that can be traced to Mauser's production records?

Rookhawk, I was wondering if it could be a square bridge with some edge profiling on it? But back to the original post the question was can you put a scope on this rifle, if so how? The follow up concern/question was "would you?"

Unless I could get case colored scope mounts and bases that matched or at least complemented the existing contour and finish I would keep the rifle as is. I know I don't get a "vote" in cem rona ergin's decision but he was also soliciting opinions. PLEASE DON'T SCOPE THAT RIFLE.

 

[cem rona ergin]

I will check with Herr Wiethaup and let you guys know .

 

[cem rona ergin]

What I was told that all the mechanism was bought from Mauser factory brand new . But I will double check again .

 

[Shootist43]

I will check with Herr Wiethaup and let you guys know .

Out of curiosity, who is Herr Wiethaup?

 

[cem rona ergin]

The guy who built the rifle . http://www.waffen-wiethaup.de/index.php

 

[Shootist43]

GOT IT!!! His opinion would be the most valuable. We would all like to know the answer to the Square Bridge vs the converted Military Rifle dilemma. Regardless of the outcome your rifle is absolutely gorgeous. It almost looks like it belongs in a firearms museum. If you do eventually decide to scope it ,please furnish the AH Community with pictures of the finished job. Including of the machining necessary to install the selected bases and rings.

 

[cem rona ergin]

I sure will

 

[DM Shooting]

Did you get an answer at to weather it was a single square bridge?