Father-in-law's Childhood Gun

[ATBackPackin]

My in-laws are pro 2nd Amendment, but not really gun people. They both grew up in upstate NY right outside of the Adirondacks. They had family members that hunted and when my father-in-law was 13 his father bought him his first gun (as far as I know it is the only gun he has ever owned). It is a Savage 24b with a .22 lr upper barrel and a .410 lower barrel. This rifle has literally been sitting in his closet for 40 years untouched so it is a bit dirty.

They are having some financial hard times, like a lot of America, and my mother-in-law wanted to sell it. I told her I would find out as much as I could about it and it's value, but I really think this is the kind of rifle that should be passed down. Since they are not really gun people their son and my wife are not either (working on the wife) , but their grandson ( brother -in-laws boy) is 12 and really into guns and shooting. I have been working with him for about a year and he is loving it and doing really well. I told her that this is something that Cole (the grandson) should really inherit and that if they really needed the money I would give them the value of the gun so he could receive this piece of family history.

So here I am asking some of the nicest and most knowledgeable gun people I know about this awesome little rifle. I would appreciate any info I can find out about it and also its value. Also since it has been sitting for so long it truly needs a good detail cleaning. Does anyone know where I can find a manual for it or a diagram how to break down the whole rifle, everything is stiff and sticking. Alas, does anyone know where to get parts should the occasion arise.

Thanks
Shawn

 

[ATBackPackin]

And a few more pics.

 

[ATBackPackin]

I'll take it then that this wasn't a very popular gun. I would have thought that a rifle/shotgun combo would have been extremely useful and therefore more popular. Especially since it doesn't look like an expensive model.

 

[Sav .250]

You can go on-line and find all sorts of information about that Savage.

 

[AirForceShooter]

there's 3 listed on gunbroker.
Prices range from $350 to $700

I remember these guns.
Very cool.

AFS

 

[HOOfan_1]

I've got one, and my dad has one. My mom bought my dad a used one with a synthetic stock for around $150-$250 about 17 years ago. I don't think they were still making them at the time.

I suppose the value had shot up a bit since they haven't made them in years.

I think the $700 and $800+ amounts for some are a bit over the top. I can't imagine spending more than $350-$400 on one.

 

[blarby]

24B-DL, Shotgun by Savage Arms, Inc.

Average Used Price

$458


Average Used Trade-in

$240



Model Description:

n/a
Model Specs:
Barrel Length: 22"
Gauge/ Cal: .22LR, .410 Bore (36GA), 20 Ga
Barrel Configuration: Combo
Chamber: 3"

http://www.pooshka.com/gun-value.php?poo_model_id=21676

 

[dbro822]

Couldn't start to tell you a value, that said, I think what you are trying to do for your in laws, and the boy, is fantastic!!! Is there anyone that is still making something like this?

 

[GCBurner]

They're neat little guns, and the .22/.410 was the most popular configuration. That one looks in very good condition, too. The prices go up and down, but they've been in big demand lately as "survival" guns, and the used ones I've seen have been in the $300-$500 price range, if in good condition. They're pretty simple, and not much can go wrong with them, if you keep them clean and oiled. Here's a link to the Owner's Manual in .pdf format: http://stevespages.com/pdf/savage_24_combination_rifle_shotgun.pdf

 

[Johnm1]

Nice rifle and great gesture. Most of those I have seen have been around $250-$300 but they were mostly not in that good shape. A review of completed auctions on Gunbroker shows a wide range of prices. And for some reason the 22 LR/410 seems to be the most expensive even though it appears that this was the most popular combination. I actually see more 22 WMR/410 combinations. If I were going to be fair with the family it looks like this one is probably worth around $350-$400. I have the later version of this rifle and love it.

As these rifles came in several configurations you need to understand that one of the configurations was a bit more problematic. The version that had the barrel selection switch on the side of the receiver has been known to break leaving the rifle unusable. Some of the models have a 'switch' on top of the hammer that is pushed/pulled to select the barrel. Though this arrangement doesn't look as good it is more reliable.

Again, I applaud your gesture.

 

[ATBackPackin]

Thanks for all the great info and especially the manual. I truly appreciate it and I am sure they will as well. I think I have convinced her to keep it for the grandson, but will still give the money if they need it.

All of the sentiments about what a nice gesture it is on my part is nice and while I do not HAVE to do it, I do have to and I know they would do it for us without hesitation. I also know this kid would be devastated when he found out his Poppa had only one gun and he didn't get a chance to keep it in the family.

I would also like to use this rifle to aid in teaching my nephew to become a marksman. So being that it will be a shooter, does anyone know where parts can be had in case something breaks or do you have to buy a second one for spare parts?

Thanks again gents!
Shawn

 

[GCBurner]

Thanks for all the great info and especially the manual. I truly appreciate it and I am sure they will as well. I think I have convinced her to keep it for the grandson, but will still give the money if they need it.

All of the sentiments about what a nice gesture it is on my part is nice and while I do not HAVE to do it, I do have to and I know they would do it for us without hesitation. I also know this kid would be devastated when he found out his Poppa had only one gun and he didn't get a chance to keep it in the family.

I would also like to use this rifle to aid in teaching my nephew to become a marksman. So being that it will be a shooter, does anyone know where parts can be had in case something breaks or do you have to buy a second one for spare parts?

Thanks again gents!
Shawn

Numrich Gun Parts: http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Products.aspx?catid=3896

 

[pump .22s]

I have an older one with the tenite (plastic or nylon) stock made before WWII. Mine has (had) the selector on the side of the receiver, but it broke at some point as those are prone to do, and I had to replace the hammer with a later one that has the selector on the hammer. That was as chore.

These are nice little guns, and I would think would be perfect for a young guy to learn the basics of shooting, etc. with.

I like what you are doing for that boy.

 

[ATBackPackin]

Fantastic information guys. Thank you so much for all the help. Although I have already done a good field strip and cleaning, I am going to try to give it a really good detail cleaning. Then all that is left to do is test shoot and take my nephew out. I also have a fairly new .327 revolver that I think he is going to have a blast shooting.

Thanks Gents.
Shawn

P.S. I'll give you an update after I test shoot it.

 

[joed]

Maybe it's not worth a lot at $350 to $400, but what do you think it cost brand new?

Bet it didn't cost $50 back when your FIL got it. It didn't lose any value.