H&H Peep Sight on Mauer Action Holland and Holland 30.06

[Da Moose]

I'm researching a Mauser action 30.06 Holland and Holland magazine rifle that was made in the late 1920s or early 1930s. Never having seen this type of sighting arrangement before, can anyone out there tell me more about it. The Holland and Holland scope mount sits somewhat high and the foresight, with rotating sight hood, is visible sighting under the scope. In addition there is a folding "V" on the back of the barrel. Pick one of the three sighting systems.

It's a lovely old rifle that has some issues that I plan to have corrected by a professional gunsmith before selling it.

Thanks

 

[9.3mauser]

That's not a Rigby peep, that's a proprietary H&H peep sight. There's another version that sits on the end of a sleeve soldered to the back of the bolt sleeve. That puts the sight a bit farther to the rear and removes the jump from the cocking piece when the rifle fire.

Yours only seems to have one sight setting; typically they would have two, i.e, 50 + 250 for a .30 Super. I'd be interested in seeing pics of the entire rifle. Choose your gunsmith wisely... there were only two in this country that I would trust with a rifle like that and they're both semi-retired.

 

[tiriaq]

Lyman made a cocking piece sight as well. A little cap is attached to the cocking piece with two small screws, sight mounts to that. I have one NIB that will eventually go on an original Mauser Oberndorf sporting rifle. Will install the sight on a spare cocking piece, so as not to alter the serial numbered original.

 

[Da Moose]

Thanks 9.3mauser,

I've posted a bunch of photos of the H&H at the following link:

https://imgur.com/a/jnciG

Selecting the right gunsmith to do the repairs on this rifle is very important. I have considered sending it back to London to H&H but it would be nice if someone here in canada could do the job.

The worst issue is that some barbarian bubba'ed the barrel, trimming two inches off a 24 inch barrel without re-crowning it properly and the front sight appears to be slightly offset. You can see that it's a bit battered. The H&H scope mount needs work and there appears to be some chamber damage at the shoulder. That being said, the Holland and Holland quality shines through and the rifle deserves some TLC.

 

[Ardent]

If you're interested in selling as is, shoot me a PM, I'm into H&Hs and always open to another. If set on having someone work it over I'd only trust Martin Hagn (likely not interested in that work as he makes his own actions and is busy), Ralf Martini (anticipate 18-36 months and he'll tell you this too, and about $5000 which is very fair for what he does, no half measures). The new fellow at the Calgary shooting centre is the last proper real smith I know of in the West. Won't speak of out east as don't use them, but Nick Makinson I've dealt with a super fellow. Considering you were thinking of H&H themselves know you know the costs, with H&H the tab will hit five figures likely for a freshen up and refinish. Can do much better with Ralf, equal quality work he's world renowned.

 

[buckbrush]

THAT is a perfect hunting rifle in my book, other than the scope. Your rifle also has the H&H takedown option and the scope mount is a H&H as well, I think. The scope mount uninstalled is 3K+ U.S.$ today I believe.

 

[Da Moose]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your comments.

The peep sight shown above has a second decant which locks in when you push the button on the opposite side of the sight, to slide it down when you want to shoot over the forward "V" sight which is also set for 150 yards.

I pulled the old Weaver KV scope off and installed a Leupold 2-7 but the rear bell. at 1.553 inches in diameter touches the bolt when its retracted. I wonder if H&H ever made set of quick release rings to fit the bases that sit higher for a larger scope.

My eyes are waiting surgery and I can't see through a scope anymore but will try and find a fixed 4x or 6x Leupold to see if they'd fit, then get a straight shooting volunteer to sight it in.

The rifle was ordered in 1928 but apparently didn't leave the factory until 1933, possibly something to do with the 1929 stock market crash.

Apparently flat crowns weren't uncommon at one time. As long as it shoots straight a hundred feet per second less of muzzle velocity isn't the end of the world. I shot a 30.06 for years and once I found the load it liked, it put a lot of meat in the freezer.

The rifle came out of 30 to 40 years of storage when I got it. Just lucky being at the right place at the right time.I won't tell you where I keep my horseshoes.

The research is interesting and the enjoyable part for me now. I shoot left handed and none of my sons or grandsons are lefties.

Eventually it will go to a good home.