Recently on Facebook I saw a smith who custom builds an adapter to allow the use of Talley rings on rifles with claw mounts. Basically a set of plates with claw hardware on the bottom and Talley base on top.

Just before COVID stopped the whole world I bought an original Type B Mauser in 8x57 with claw mounts but the scope and it’s half of the setup are lost to time. My 64 year old eyes like scopes more and more every year and a nice 1-4x mounted atop the little rifle would be kinda nifty.

Is this concept a viable fix for my problem?
(He’s a bit pricey)

Recknagel make a claw to picatinny rail adapter. Basically a piece of rail with claw feet at the front and locking feet at the back. It rotates in just like a claw mount. You then use normal picatinny type rings to mount scope. Whether you can still quickly detach scope very much depends on length of scope, size of bell and how its mounted. Its kind of a conglomeration of lots of bits.

Better in my view is to either have proper rings made for the scope and fitted to the claw bases. Recknagel make blanks.

Alternatively drift out the claw bases and replace them either with a swing style mount, or with a weaver style that is machined to fit the dovetails for the claw bases.

To correctly fit the "claws" takes the same amount of time whether an adaptor or the appropriate rings. To me you would be better served removing the claw bases and installing either a modern pivot type, or making custom Talley bases.

In well used but decent shape for a rifle built in 1905, the bore is great, most serial numbers are there. Looks like some guy bought it then added the scope mount later as he got older / became more affluent.

I’m thinking I’ll keep it reasonably “as is” probably add a three position safety. What’s the best route to have rings fitted?

I presume the rear base is screwed on and would not be surprised if you found that the front is also screwed onto the receiver , and that the dovetailed claw base is hiding the screws. If so, mounting new bases would be easier though you might have to go with a custom hole spacing to match the existing.

THE "ADAPTER' CONCEPT ESCAPES ME! SIMPLY PURCHASE THE SUITABE RINGS FROM RECKNAGEL/ (NECG) AND BE DONE WITH IT.

ONE MUST BE A LITTLE CAREFUL...THE OLD SPACING OF THE CLAW RECESSES WERE DIFFERENT THAN LATER MFG..

NOT USUALLY A BIGGEE..USUALLY ONE CAN RE FIT THE MODERN FOOT.

hAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THE FULCRUM MUST BE VERY NEAR THE FRONT OF THE SCOPE..SO OBVIOUSLY A LONG SCOPE, THE FRONT FOOT MUST BE MOUNTED ON THE BARREL