All Options Exhausted! Last Try ...

[BigJon]

Well, I guess I never noticed in all the time I've been here that we had a separate firearms identification forum. I have exhausted every single internet source I can find to identify an old .22 rifle, and I'm just flat stumped. Here's the link to the rifle, with photos. If anyone here can identify this rifle, well, you'll be the only folks in the history of the flippin' internet to do it! Here's the thread:

http://www.armslocker.com/forums/showthread.php?p=151062

Here's as far as I have gotten: Premier is a brand name for guns sold by Montgomery Ward and, probably, made by J. Stevens. Most of the attributes of my rifle are like the J. Stevens guns, except (1) the bolt on mine is a simple, short column and not a knobbed bolt handle, and (2) the stock is very shallow (meaning from top of receiver to bottom) and has no real relief cut out for the bolt in closed position.

Best,
Jon

[BigJon]

Oh well. Time to throw in the towel I guess.

Best,
Jon

[T. Daves]

It looks to me to be a wallhanger

[.45 COLT]

For some reason I can't see your pictures, but it sounds like it might be a Stevens Model 80.

http://www.stevespages.com/stevens.html

That link has several Stevens breakdowns.

DC

[BigJon]

My gosh, Colt45! Why, after all this time, and after looking at everything from numrich to proofhouse did no body mention that site! I'll look through and see what's what.

I will repost the photos here, but I don't know why you wouldn't have been able to see them - they are posted here, and you're registered. Weird.

Best,
Jon

[BigJon]

And here are the rest. Can you see these?

Best,
Jon

[BigJon]

I see some differences between my rifle and the model .45 Colt mentioned. Any ideas on the maker and model of this rifle? I'm about to say "uncle" on identifying it.

Best,
Jon

[AZ COLLECTOR]

perhaps.. could be wrong
but it looks simular to a springfield model 120 the discription of the trigger especially.

sean

[BigJon]

Thanks so much for the tip. I'll try to find a schematic or photo.

Best,
Jon

[neolithic hunter]

from your decription bigjohn i think i know what you have there.

it appears to me to be an old single shot .22 rifle.

now tell me if i'm close? :cool:

[B.FRANKlin]

Single shot .22s used to be plentiful like ants. Dad had an old .22 Magnum single shot that could be had for Cracker Jacks box tops around 1910 or so. Yours looks like it's heavy duty built like a foreign gun would be made. Could be domestic made I guess. Good luck in your search.

[brass hammer]

hell, I'VE handled a straight-bolt single shot .22 JUST like the top/first [3] photos,,,although IT appeared to have lived in a barn![and was treated accordingly],,,STEVENS! is ringing true[iirc]

[andy]

your memory SUCKS, dude. The .22 mag didn't come out until the early 60's.

[.45 COLT]

your memory SUCKS, dude. The .22 mag didn't come out until the early 60's.
Assume you're referring to this:Dad had an old .22 Magnum single shot that could be had for Cracker Jacks box tops around 1910 or so. Your memory ain't all that shiney either. The .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire was introduced in 1959. I'd guess the rifle B.FRANKlin remembers was a .22WRF.

DC

[andy]

the mag didn't get around instantly, so early 60's is a lot closer than being 50 years off base. The wrf probably doesnt' go back to 1910, either. The guy's just a liar, about what he claims to have seen Elmer and Jordan do, etc.

[.45 COLT]

The .22 WRF was introduced in 1890.

DC

[blueboy]

I don't believe it. The 22 lr didn't get introduced until the 1880's.

[BigJon]

Hi, guys. Just to update, I have exhausted all options, and the little rifle remains unidentified. I even called Savage, and they referred me to an independent historian. I wrote him a letter with photos and everything, but he never wrote me back.

Oh well. Was an interesting exercise.

Best,
Jon

[Aslan]

I don't believe it. The 22 lr didn't get introduced until the 1880's.

Well, you may not believe it, but here is a
link (http://www.chuckhawks.com/history_rimfire_ammo.htm) to an article that gives the 1890 date....

So I wouldn't be so quick to criticize others - it's that "glass house" thing that gets you every time...

:devil:

[1erh]

"Good Grief..!" How's about this: "You're ALL right..!" :dancer01:

And as to the "Original issue..."; it seems similar to an old .22 that my "Opa.." used to have; his I believe was a "Youth Model" Imported by Sears & Roebuck; but I'm not certain either... Sorry I'm not more able to help... :D

[BigJon]

Hi, 1erth. Thanks for the reply. I've hung up trying to find out what the rifle is. My best guess, and it is a pure guess, is that it's an old Savage that has had its bolt altered. Oh well, it's as good a guess as any.

Best,
Jon

[DaRkWoLf]

For what its worth, a friend of my moms has the same thing, in much, much worse condition (it was a victim to house flooding) back from his grand dad. I asked what it was, and he said he thought it was a Savage but he wasnt entirely sure.

Hope one day you find out what it is.

[BigJon]

Mee too, wolf. It was in abysmal condition, but I cleaned it up, and it work fine. I think that if I can get the barrell off and re-headspace it, it will allow the firing pin to make enough contact to fire rounds, and it'd probably be a great little .22 for my 8-year-old son (and for Dad too!)

Best,
Jon

[twistedbiker]

goto army.ca forums and post a pic of it or the firearm recognition/weaoins thread. The guys there will ID it for U I guarantee! Its a challenge for them and theyre the best and havent failed yet.

EXCOELIS

[flutedchamber]

You could send the pics to Numerich. They are quite good at putting a name on the oddballs. Neat rifle there, no matter who made it.