Project for my father, please help.

[UKWildcatFan]

My grandfather passed away when my father was 12, and this rifle put more food on their table in Brandenburg, Ky more than any other. I'd like to research it's history, etc for a secret project for my father. It's missing a peep sight and firing pin. I would like to replace these two parts and whip it out at the range soon when he has no idea. He'll lose it for sure.

Bolt action .22LR, single shot.
"Ranger 22-S-L-L R-M34" is on top of the barrel, as well as "Made in USA"
Wood stock

Any help on its maker, date of manuf. range, where, how many, etc would help a bunch. I'd like to be able to call Brownells and give them info on it so they could get me the right parts. I appreciate it. He's an Army vet of the early 60s, 75 years old, and the greatest man I've ever known. My hero, and friend.

Alex

 

[12many]

Nice story. Post pictures if you can.

 

[F-111 John]

Numrich gun parts have some parts, but unfortunately one of the firing pin styles is sold out, and none of the rear sights are peep sights:

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufacturers/Ranger-33450/Rifles-37863/34-39472.htm

 

[UKWildcatFan]

Here we go...

 

[UKWildcatFan]

.....

 

[JRH6856]

This is likely a Savage/Stevens Model 416 made for sold by Sears as the Ranger M34. It was also used as a military training rifle.

If Brownells can't get the parts (likely) try Numrich or Bob's Gun Parts.

Here is the sight at Numrich

 

[UKWildcatFan]

And a couple others

 

[UKWildcatFan]

Hope you can read this...

 

[F-111 John]

This is likely a Savage/Stevens Model 416 made for sold by Sears as the Ranger M34. It was also used as a military training rifle.

My limited Googling says that the Ranger M34 was built by Marlin and is the same as the Marlin 65E.

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/marlin-collectors/936-ranger-model-34-marlin-model-65e.html

 

[JRH6856]

Sears often sold products from different makers under the same model numbers. My google-fu showed that both Marlin and Savage/Stevens made guns for Sears that were sold as the Ranger or J.C.Higgins M34. Because of the peep sight, I figured the 416 was the most likely.

The Sears Ranger M34 has been identified by various sources as the Marlin Model 50 & 50E, Marlin Model 80.C, Marlin Model 65E, and Savage/Stevens Model 416. To make matters worse, there was a RANGER ARMS INC. manufacturer located in Gainesville, TX

The Marlin Model 50 was an autoloader, the 80.C a bolt action as was the 65E. The 65E was only made for two years, 1935-37. The 80.c has a box magazine.

Sears started selling rifles under the Ranger name in 1925.

 

[JRH6856]

Here is a link for a firing pin for the 416.

And here is a link and pic of a firing pin for a Marlin 65.

The two have very different shapes so if you can tell which one would fit, you can pretty much identify which one you need.

 

[Jim K]

I think it is a Marlin Model 65E, which was made with target peep sights, the base of which is shown on the OP's rifle. It also had the finger groove stock, as does the OP's rifle. The basic gun would be the Model 65.

The problem with store brands is that the company often assigned a single model number, say Model 999, to all its single shot .22 rifles, no matter who made them. When stock ran low, they would go out with a new request for a proposal, and negotiate a new contract. The result would be that there might be a different company making the Model 999.

Jim

 

[JRH6856]

My father was a buyer for Sears (30 years) and always had multiple suppliers available for all store brands. It was the same with Montgomery Ward, JC Penney, and Western Auto among others. Kind of like Forest Gump's box of chocolates, you never really knew what you were going to get...unless you knew the buyer.

 

[Kuyong_Chuin]

Sears often sold products from different makers under the same model numbers. My google-fu showed that both Marlin and Savage/Stevens made guns for Sears that were sold as the Ranger or J.C.Higgins M34. Because of the peep sight, I figured the 416 was the most likely.

The Sears Ranger M34 has been identified by various sources as the Marlin Model 50 & 50E, Marlin Model 80.C, Marlin Model 65E, and Savage/Stevens Model 416. To make matters worse, there was a RANGER ARMS INC. manufacturer located in Gainesville, TX

The Marlin Model 50 was an autoloader, the 80.C a bolt action as was the 65E. The 65E was only made for two years, 1935-37. The 80.c has a box magazine.

Sears started selling rifles under the Ranger name in 1925.

That is true if it is the Sears model Ranger 34A but if it is a plain Ranger M34 it is a Marlin 100 made for sears. See hoosier gun works for the cross reference for this rifle.

 

[chiggerbyt]

Here are some pics of a Marlin 100 model bolt. Maybe this will help some.

 

[okonokos]

Hey, I live in Brandenburg!

 

[chiggerbyt]

UK- I live in Eureka just west of St. Louis. If you want to try out/compare the bolt you are welcome to. chig