Not what I expected on an English target rifle

[Ovenpaa]

I had a BSA Model 12 come in to day for some work and spotted this butt plate, certainly not what I expected to see. It will have to come off and be replaced with an original however I have no idea where it originally came from to end up in Lincolnshire, or what will happen to it.

[DL.]

There's a massive collectors market for that sort of thing.

I've got a colleague from work, you couldn't meet a nicer chap, one of his favourite hobbies is collecting wartime memorabilia.

I did a course in a German military base a number of years ago. In the Sgts mess there were display cabinets with trophies etc inside, if you looked carefully you could sometimes see a bit of electrical tape at the bottom of an ornament. The guys seemed to be under pretty strict instructions not to speak about the war years.

[mag41uk]

A mate of mine is something of an authority on WW2 German weapons and militaria.
If you like I will send him this photo to see what he can make of it.
I try to get him on here as he is a boffin on Mausers.

[Ovenpaa]

mag41uk - Yes please, I am intrigued by it. My guess is a 1930s small bore target rifle period accesory however it would be good to hear the opinion of someone who knows about such things.

[snayperskaya]

Unless I'm mistaken it is from a 1930's Mauser MM410 .22lr rifle and would have been an "aftermarket" period item popular with Party members.I remember seeing one with the same buttplate, or one very similar, some years ago.

[snayperskaya]

Is it metal or rubber?

[Ovenpaa]

Metal, it looks to be cast brass or bronze.

[mag41uk]

So my friend has scoured his book collection and cant find an image that resembles that design.
He thinks its an artisan piece.

[Ovenpaa]

mag41uk, thank you for asking. I have one last thing to do and that is drop it off the rifle and see if it is marked on the underside. It has to come off anyway as I have to replace it with something more fitting.

[lasbrisas]

Interesting that the diamond pattern at the bottom is similar in design to the grips on a Hitler Youth Knife.