When people talk of ''desirable ''actions square ''bridges come up as being ''it'' !! is that because of ease of scope mounting ? they look neat ? or they are more rigid ? always wondered why

IMO tradition plays a very big role in what we as hunters covet.....and if that tradition can be shown to be of superior design then it's gospel.

It may not be at all relevant that it's unnecessary.....as long as it's better.... While the Chevy gets ya there it's just not the Mercedes we love.

Beyond tradition and looks it's plain and simple, one less thing to go wrong ie bases can come loose while integral bridges will not....

like redheads, when they look good, they look amazing

In some cases they machine a wedge shaped groove into the square bridge. A wedge shaped ring base is driven into this groove. Its very strong and does not affect the strength of the action. In other cases the rings clamp on to this base or claw mount bases are cut into the bridge. They are there so custom gun makers have steel to play with one way or another.

It looks traditional and eliminates bases.

boucanier,square bridges first appeared on oberndorf sporting rifles actually it was the first rigbys in 400/350 that had rear square bridges for scope mounting systems of the day some square bridges in unaltered state are considered more collectible hoffman arms would make a built in peep sight on there big game rifles rear bridge ,not many guns were produced from the mauser factory with square bridges so that is why they are desireable they have no purpose other than a basis for mounting a scope everybody seems to want to put them on there custom guns these days some that ive seen added on look ridiculous ........paul

Dammit Paul I just about had a anurism trying to read your post, you can't be messing with a old dude like that. Check your grammar boy!

For a shade-tree gunsmith, such as myself, square bridges are a God send, as they make mounting open sights that are perfectly aligned so much easier.

Single and double square bridges came about in a time when there were no industry standard rings or bases for scope mounting. It was up to a gunsmith to fabricate and fit everything by hand. A squared reciever made it easier.

In the late 1940's, Brno began using grooved square bridges and proprietary rings. This led to an aftermarket industry of rings, as well as add-on "square" bridges for other rifles.

The goal is still the same, to avoid errors and breakage caused by drilling, tapping and screwing. Some shooters that use only iron sights prefer matted squared bridges as a sighting plane.

As stated above, original Mausers with unaltered square bridges command a premium from collectors.