Original West German Military M1C Garand sniper rifle scope mount.
The M1C was the primary semi-auto sniper rifle of the US Military during WW2 and the Korean War.
By the conclusion of the Korean War (1953); the US had decided that the M1D sniper rifle would replace the M1C in service, as such many of the M1C rifles amongst regular M1 Garands were sent abroad as foreign aid to allied nations, West Germany being one of those.
West Germany received approximate 46,750 US surplus M1 Garands, with a part of those being M1C sniper rifles.
Given that the M1C had ceased production by 1953, replacement scope mounts (and parts) were most likely no longer available to the West Germans and therefore they had to copy / reverse engineer the US pattern scope mount (Griffin & Howe) for converting or repairing their rifles. West Germany also produced a copy of the US M1C flash hider (M2) as well (please see last photo for reference).
The mount was most likely produced by ERMA, who was given the contract by the West German government in 1952 to service and produce parts for the various allied small arms that had been given to West Germany by the allied forces.
The mount features the same dovetail groove on the base as the US mount as well as the same size 7/8" scope rings.
The West German's retained the original US inventory number "731-2619" but added the prefix of "50-" for their own inventory purposes. Note that this mount does not have the "1005" prefix as found on some other West German rifle parts, that is because the mount was produced prior to West Germany joining NATO and adopting the NSN (13-digit) system in 1955. Based on this information the mount's production can be narrowed down to between 1952 to 1955.
The mount is also marked with two West German Military proof marks; one is an eagle over "276" and another eagle proof over "275" (please see second last photo for reference West German markings (G1)).
The mount is in very good used condition and retains nearly all of its original finish with mostly some marks / blemishes in the finish and some spots of very light surface oxidation from long term storage.
Incredibly rare mount.
Thanks for looking.