Help needed with value of MAS 49 mount

[kevwat]

Ok here's the story, i have recently purchased a scope and mount from France for my MAS 49 that i received from JP but upon receiving this mount i noticed it was different than the standard mount that is used on the 49 and 49/56 rifles. It is straight up and down as opposed to swooping towards the muzzle. I have posted a picture of it on Gunboards.com and received a response that it is an early mount that was produced that never went into production as the standard due to the fact that it wasn't as shooter friendly with the eye relief as is the production mount. Since i have posted it on that site i have received a number of pm's wanting too purchase or trade for it, i've asked an individual on that site who definately knows their MAS items about it and he has said he's only seen one in books never in person, now he wants it to. I'm hoping someone here in Canada can shed some light on this and give me some info in regards to value, i'm fully aware that the French firearms scene isn't neccessarily a real collectors market ( as of yet ) and items are only worth what someone's willing to pay but i'm hoping to at least get an idea.

 

[eos]

I just paid $475 to Buddy Hinton for the standard APX L806 scope & case/accs for my 49/56. I'm guessing he's already been in touch with you. Given the price of the none too common standard version you may wish to suggest a trade for an APX L806 (in better shape) with all it's bits from him, along with what he might think fair in cash for the difference. He also usually has all the accessories for Mas 49s & 49/56s you could wish for. He's probably also the most knowledgeable person on the subject of these rifles/scopes in the US.

Nothing to lose by negotiating.

 

[kevwat]

I have been in close contact with buddy over the last day and a half with his offer to trade my mount for one of the newer ones, he told me he just shipped one up here so i'm taking that it was you he was talking about. I didn't feel right just swapping this one for regular one and to my amazement i'm glad i didn't, i have just been contacted by 3 others on Gunboards with some very interesting information. Apparently they only made a few of these before they swithched to the one you got, my scope dates to around the time of the mount (1953ish) and as a pair, i've been told $1500-$2000 at the right auction, i have also just received an offer for $1200, if i sound funny that's because i'm still trying to pick my jaw up off the floor.

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

Some days you're good. Some days you're lucky. It is a great day when you are good and lucky.

Good thing the internet worked to put a relative market value on your item. Although the big collectors are great information sources, they build their collections one trade at a time.

 

[eos]

I have been in close contact with buddy over the last day and a half with his offer to trade my mount for one of the newer ones, he told me he just shipped one up here so i'm taking that it was you he was talking about. I didn't feel right just swapping this one for regular one and to my amazement i'm glad i didn't, i have just been contacted by 3 others on Gunboards with some very interesting information. Apparently they only made a few of these before they swithched to the one you got, my scope dates to around the time of the mount (1953ish) and as a pair, i've been told $1500-$2000 at the right auction, i have also just received an offer for $1200, if i sound funny that's because i'm still trying to pick my jaw up off the floor.

Buddy might be able to find you that 49/56 to import. At least, you can get enough money for an L806 and a MAS49/56 and some left over if you make the right deal!

49/56 is C&R in the States. Export can be arranged via Denise at Leroy's Big Valley gunworks in Montana.

BTW, can't wait to get my scope. My 49/56 did 1.25 minutes , iron sights, at 100m with Syrian surplus! Scoped should be interesting.