The JC Higgins model 50

I was given a Model 50 barrel for free a few years ago. The owner of the rifle bought it for the stock and action, and wanted the gunsmith to rebarrel it in a different caliber. He left the barrel with the gunsmith saying he didn't need it, the gunsmith said he had no use for another .30-06 Mauser barrel. I was in the right place at the right time and the barrel was given to me. I put it on a project Mauser action that I had picked up for $50. You know its a good project when the Boyd's stock is the most expensive component of the assembly.

Stan Rosen said:

I was given a Model 50 barrel for free a few years ago. The owner of the rifle bought it for the stock and action, and wanted the gunsmith to rebarrel it in a different caliber. He left the barrel with the gunsmith saying he didn't need it, the gunsmith said he had no use for another .30-06 Mauser barrel. I was in the right place at the right time and the barrel was given to me. I put it on a project Mauser action that I had picked up for $50. You know its a good project when the Boyd's stock is the most expensive component of the assembly.

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I've seen several rebarreled Model 50s. You had better want a new chambering really badly, because you're likely to spend $600 getting it rebarreled, chambered, contoured and finished and if you're lucky it might shoot as well as a stock Model 50.

I recently picked up a JC Higgins model 50 Sears, Roebuck and Co. 583.95 .270. The original walnut stock was cracked but found a replacement. The rifle was missing the scope, rings / mounts and the front sling mount. I found a JC Higgins Rifleman Senior 4X scope with mounts and waiting for them to arrive. Still looking for the original front sling mount to complete the restoration. I understand they made the model 50 from 1950 to 1955, does anyone know how to determine the year by the serial number 316903?

I have a Model 50 30-06 in my safe that belonged to one of mentors. His son and I have bummed together since high school. The "Bull", as we called him, was working construction in India in the 50's and took this rifle with him. With it he took tons of game including Nilgai, Sambar, Axis, Blackbuck and a couple of Leopards. It wears an old Bushnell Scope Chief 4X with a post and crosshair. I've seen some good shots in my time, but the Bull was one of the best.

I've got my fathers JC Higgins model 50 30-06 and still have plans to restore it. He bought it mail order in 1952 and it has taken many Montana Mulies and the occasional Beef. It spent many years riding in the gun rack in ranch trucks and is a little worse for wear but still shoots dead on.

BlackRock.. Your M50 is like mine and a fine rifle they are. Made in1950-51. they sold for $250.. thats about $1200 in todays $$. Whoever bought it reeaally wanted an FN. If it were me, I'd clean it up, inside and out, and shoot it as is. Every dent and ding has a story.

I have a J C Higgins Model 50 270 Win. There was no serial number visible on the receiver. I found the serial number on the bottom of the receiver when i took the stock off of the rifle. Serial number is 4 digit with a letter suffix. Maybe a early rifle?

The rifle was in a Police Department inventory for many years and was finally sold off to a local FFL dealer where I bought it. Has original finish that is a little worn, but the rifle hadn't been shot much. It needed a little stock refinish, new scope and rings. It is a very good shooter and I've taken a number of Deer and Hogs with it.

Who made them for Sears? The copy says that "one of America's finest firearms makers" made the stock and barrel for an FN receiver. So, was it Winchester?

DocRock said:

Who made them for Sears? The copy says that "one of America's finest firearms makers" made the stock and barrel for an FN receiver. So, was it Winchester?

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The story I heard is that Hi Standard made the rifles. There was also a line sold under the JC Higgins name made by Sako.

True story. My dad had some friends from Minnesota out hunting Mule deer on our ranch in Montana. One of the fellers had a 30-06 same as my dads model 50 and consecutive serial number.

I'm at some loss to know just who built mine, All that appears is FN- Action made in Belgium and perhaps a date code 19XX. G
That's all except an inspectors marks(?) and a random # 1 on the receiver flat. Mine used to be a nicely stocked walnut .270 but its not now, and I never knew who built it.

Blackrock said:

The story I heard is that Hi Standard made the rifles. There was also a line sold under the JC Higgins name made by Sako.

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wikipedia said:

J.C. Higgins Model 50, a bolt action rifle with a commercial FN Mauser action and a chrome-lined barrel from High Standard. Made in 270 and 30-06.

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Wikipedia agrees.

Blackrock said:

The story I heard is that Hi Standard made the rifles. There was also a line sold under the JC Higgins name made by Sako.

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That's right. Sears sold guns from a lot of different manufacturers. At the time Sears had close ties with High Standard and sold their pistols and shotguns as well. Combined with that, the dollar exchange rate with post-war Belgium was very favorable. All of that added up to the ability to turn out an excellent rifle for a low price.