Grandmas old stevens .22

[villageidiot]

my wifes grandma is in the midst of moving and wants me to figure out what, and how much her old .22 is worth. she no longer wants to cart it around.

story goes, her dad bought it for her at age 11, in 1949, she's had it ever since. early on, someone took the magazine tube/spring, and stretched it way out (little sister) so she's loaded it one by one ever since. says it killed many a rattle snake in her day.

what is it? whats it worth? and where should i go to help her sell it?

cheers.

[mosinnagantm9130]

It's a Steven's Visible Loader, which were made from 1907 to 1934 under the model 70, and later model 71 name. I'm not sure which this is, but it's probably a later one since it has the "short, long, and long rifle" stamping.

I'm not sure the value, but if I was you I'd buy it from her and get it working properly again. Can't replace family history.

[bodger]

Is that an arrowhead carved into the stock? Original?

[xrayoneone]

Looks like an old visible loader. They're pretty cool little rifles. When you work the pump you'll see the shell cycle, if it works right.

In the condition it is in it won't pull much. I bought one with a great bore but rough exterior for $125 a couple years ago. It was for an uncle who had one sixty years ago.

[villageidiot]

Is that an arrowhead carved into the stock? Original?

arrowhead, not sure if its original or not, but it was there when she got it in '49

the gun doesn't do much for me, and my wife isn't interested. not sure where id start bringing it back into life.

[mosinnagantm9130]

the gun doesn't do much for me, and my wife isn't interested. not sure where id start bringing it back into life.

From your description, it probably doesn't need much more than a magazine spring and a cleaning.

If you really want to sell it (which again, I don't advise), there are plenty of .22 rifle fanatics here that I'm sure would be interested in a nice old .22.

[TRAP55]

Start with a good cleaning, then inventory the missing parts, they're available. In good functioning shape, and 50%+ finish left, they average about $275 to $325 on the auctions.
The arrowhead wasn't factory, and though nicely done, detracts from the value. Doesn't look like there's much original finish left, lots of patina and crud to clean up, rear sight elevator is missing, and looks like the internals to the mag tube are gone?
I would guess about $100-$135 in present condition "if" it has a decent bore.
JMO, but I would keep it and put it back into shooting form. One, it's a heirloom, and two, they're a kick to shoot!

[sealocan]

for anyone else interested here is a quick video of what makes the visible loading rifle cool.
It happens at the 01.00 mark of the video.


Stevens Visible Loading Rifle: http://youtu.be/Zc2f5IOpDyk

[TRAP55]

for anyone else interested here is a quick video of what makes the visible loading rifle cool.
It happens at the 01.00 mark of the video.


Stevens Visible Loading Rifle: http://youtu.be/Zc2f5IOpDyk

That, and the live round being chambered, ejects the empty. So when the mag is empty, there's an empty case in the chamber to prevent chamber damage when it gets dry fired.

[Epaphroditus]

Family heirlooms need special care.

[glock 357]

That is way cool. Keep it!

[G-Man WC]

Another vote to restore and the arrowhead is very cool.
The story goes.. "She got it from Annie Oakley and the Wild West Show".
Instant price jump!

-g

[bsg]

think about it and consider keeping the old rifle in the family. even with the disinterest that the rifle has gathered, the future generations of your family might very well appreciate having such an heirloom in their midst.

[stilly]

I THINK I have a 12GA crack in half that is made by Steven's. I might consider trading it if she wants the upgrade in power.



Wait a second, WHY is jim carey doing that video?

[sealocan]

^^ stilly -
"Wait a second, WHY is jim carey doing that video?

Bhaaaahaaahaaahaa !

I knew something was odd with the man in me video that I posted.
I thought it was just crazy eyes but now I realize you're right.

jim carrey made a video of shooting a rifle inside his own home.