JC Higgins .22 rifle - no serial#?

[Odnar]

I have a JC Higgins bolt action .22, and I can't find the serial number. The top of the barrel says:

J.C. Higgins-Model 103.229-22 Cal.
Sears, Roebuck, and Company-S-L-LR

She's obviously got a few years on her, did this company not put serial numbers on them in those days?

(To be clear, it doesn't look like a serial # has been obscured, I just can't find one.)

 

[1KPerDay]

Check inside the receiver. IIRC that's where I found it on my JC Higgins semi-auto.

 

[huaco]

I have a JC Higgins Model 31 that doesn't have any s/n either. I looked into this some time back and found that they weren't required when it was made, probably mid to late '50s. My dad bought this rifle new for about $25 with a scope included. The research I did also revealed that the gun was made by High Standard. Its still a great shooter.

 

[rcmodel]

Serial numbers were not required on .22 rifles until the 1968 Gun Control Act took effect.

Some manufactures always did it, and some didn't until they were forced too by the GCA.

rcmodel

 

[Odnar]

Gun control act of 1968, huh? She's easily that old. First gun I ever had, got it when I was 18, and probably the only one I would never sell. Thanks, all!

 

[Willis]

JC Higgins

I also have a 103.229 with out serial nember. I bought it in 1958 new from Sears for $23.00. I was 15 at the time and I went into a Sears mail order store and orderd it myself. I remember when it came in, my mother drove me to the store and I went in alone and picked it up. Not a problem back then. I paid for it with paper route money. I put a 3-9 scope on it in about 1993 or 1994. I didn't put a 22 scope on it, I put a 30mm, so if you don't look close you would think is a larger hunting rifle. I still shoot it. Last year I got over 50 gophers with it. Ground squirrels are called gophers in Montana. It was my first gun other than a BB gun. I thought I would retire it last year and bought a 10/22. No way. After shooting the 10/22, I put it away and went back to the JC Higgins. I have it sighted in for 75 yards and it will keep about a 2" group at that range. The S-L-LR means SHORT-LONG-LONG RIFLE. I have not seen short or long ammo for years. All of it now is long rifle. Now, if I just had a buck in the bank for every round I have put through it.

Willis

 

[CajunBass]

I've got an old Stevens 46 that also has no serial number. No idea how old it is, other than "pre-68."

 

[22-rimfire]

I have a Mossie 22 that has no serial number. It was my first 22.

 

[Furncliff]

No serial # on my J.C. Higgins mod. 42. Purchased in 1960. This .22 was given to me on my 16th birthday, by my mom. I needed a magazine for it, Numrich had one. They told me these were made by Marlin. I have been shooting targets with it lately.

 

[Chester32141]

I have not seen short or long ammo for years.

You can still find Shorts at a couple internet suppliers ... I use them in my old Remington Rolling Block circa 1898 ... they cost about $5-$10 a box ...



Chester

 

[gunlover_06]

your J C Higgins 103.229 is the same as the marlin model 81 made from 1937 to 1941 i have the same rifle and they are great guns, as far as serial#s go they were not required on any gun until the 1968 GCA went into affect, although many gun makers did serialize their guns it was not required by law.

Hope this helps, if need any more info let me know will do what i can to help.

Kenny.

 

[mwoods1]

J C Higgins-Model 103.181-22 cal.

I also have one of these Sears Rifles, I got it for my 7th birthday from my dad and the gun still works and I have also taught my kids how to shoot on it. It has a broken butt plate on it and I was trying to find a replacement so if any one has any answers I would surely appreciate them. I know the gun is old and parts will be hard to find but any kind of replacement part would be fine and I could probably just buy a new gun but I can't just leave it in that condition. Thanks to anyone.

 

[All4eyes]

Do a search on rimfirecentral, on how to fix the broken buttplate. There is a way to repair it IIRC.

 

[Bearhands]

For all you fellow who need a cross reference:
http://www.okiegunsmithshop.com/crossref.html

and by the way... shorts are plentiful around here (PA) CCI makes them.

 

[mwoods1]

JC Higgins .22 rifle

Thanks to all for the timely reply and information!

 

[JED-IA]

April 5, 2010

Like Willis my first .22 was a JC Higgins 103.229 bought in 1958 when I was 12. Came by rural mail and was the terror of squirrels and english sparrows in W Iowa. Put a "monkey ward" scope on it in 60 or so--had dial-in problems--so left it with my school bus driver one morning and by afternoon he had it sighted in. Oh for the good ole days! It is good to see that 4-H now has shooting sports programs in Iowa and other states so youth can be encourage to shoot .22s and shotguns for life long recreation. Now use Marlin 881 and others and at 64 have my 11 year old grandsons first shooting range bullseye framed for posterity.

 

[JED-IA]

April 5, 2010
Like Willis my first .22 was a JC Higgins 103.229 bought for $23 or so in 1958 when I was 12. Delivered to farm by rural mail and was the terror of squirrels. english sparrows, and card board boxes in W Iowa. Put a "monkey wards" scope on it in 60 or so--had sight in problems--so had bus driver dial it in one day between rides. Oh for the good old days!
Am glad that 4-H in Iowa and other states has a shooting sports program to encourage youth to shoot .22s and shotguns for life-long recreation. Have my 11 year old grandsons first range bullseye framed for posterity!