HELP I.D. "SAFARI" .22rf RIFLE

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45Broomhandle

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Obtained this very nice little .22rf S-L-LR single-shot bolt action rifle, but been unable to learn anything about it.

1SAFARIMARKED22rfSSRIFLENVSN.jpg

Stock is sawn from a slab with the sharp edges rounded and smoothed. (VERY similar to those used by airgun makers) Finger grooves routed into forestock, NO buttplate. Pull to cock bolt action, NO visible safety! Trigger and triggerguard are plain stamped steel. Single bolt takedown.

I wrote the Daisy Museum and received word back that it was nothing they had worked on. Wham-O put out their WAMO Powermaster Rifle which was also a .22rf single-shot and had a VERY similarly made (not shape) plank stock. However they've spent years ignoring or denying the fact that a toy company actually produced 3 real firearms in a different CA city, under a pseudonym. For that reason alone I did NOT question them.

4SAFARIMARKED22rfSSRIFLENVSN-1.jpg

Above are only markings found on it. The three pyramids at top may indicate the African continent which is noted for their hunting safaris, and this gun's name is SAFARI, followed by the (101) which could represent a model number. ALL CONJECTURE ON MY PART.

NOTE that the v-notch of the rear sight faces REARWARD. It is pinned into the receiver. This is NOT accidental. IF it faced the other way it would obstruct the breech opening! The "elevator" is the simple screw at front.

I would like to learn WHO made it, WHEN it was made, WHERE it was made, and HOW MANY were made. Plus any other interesting info anyone may have about it that someone can document.

Thanks in advance for any help. THUMBUPSMILIE.jpg

Best regards ~ ~ ~ 45Broomhandle
 
It reminds me of a Mossberg Youth rifle because of the rounded bolt end.

Winchester, Remington, Marlin, Mossberg etc. all made rifles for major store chains with the stores names the only thing listed.

Have you removed the barrel from the stock? In many cases the info was stamped there (so as not to be eroded away) and would list .22 S-L-LR and place of manufacture but that would be about all but if made post 1964 it would have a serial Nmbr. by law.

It could have been made for a large retail store in your city or state but I would seriously doubt it was African made as IIRC imported firearms had to have place or origin listed but beside that it looks American, for an American market not an European market place and certainly not European (which South Africa took after) in design or manufacture...I mention S.A. as there really wasn't any other makers--of export quality that is--around but there and the South African makers worth anything to write home about.
 
Thanks for the response, SeekHer. You went through the same process of elimination as I did. I'm still fairly convinced it's of air rifle or toy company origin. I've got a WAMO Powermaster (that is Wham-O product) rifle and it has a LOT of similarities with this little guy.

Yes, checked under barrel, NADA!

I'm convinced it's US-made, but WHO, WHERE, WHEN and HOW MANY?

Noticed you're from Canada. Have you seen any of my postings seeking info on the TOBIN $5.00 BOY SCOUT RIFLE? I posted to CGN website up there and got on right track. Finally got copies of old ads from 1909 to 1913 that were run in "Rod And Gun In Canada" magazine to document the little guy. Am doing an article on it for Gun Digest 2012 Edition.

For background, Tobin built the FIRST shotgun factory in Canada. Both Tobin and Rod & Gun were headquartered in Woodstock, Ont.. Really interesting story about the company and the little gun that never was - almost...

Best regards ~ ~ ~ 45Broomhandle
 
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