Request for Info: Old Savage .22 Pump (Model 25?)

[jamestbell]

I recently discovered an old pump .22 that belonged to my father when he was a boy (I'm 62, so it's old). It is NOT for sale--I don't care what it's worth, and in fact it probably isn't worth much. Niether he nor his parents would have had much money to spend (it's also got plenty of cosmetic problems: this is a gun that was used if not used up). I know for a fact that the gun was made before 1930 (from personal info carved into stock) and I'm pretty sure it's a Savage model 25 or a Savage knock-off. There are no brand names whatever on the gun but the shape, style, and details all match pretty well with pix I've seen online of the Savage (big slotted screw on the right side of the action, safety behind the trigger guard, octagon barrel, sights, etc.). It has very few markings. On the top face of the barrel between the sights is the word "PREMIER". Just behind the rear sight it's marked "22S. L&LR." There is a serial number stamped on the underside just ahead of the trigger guard: 13042K.
I'd like to know what make it is. But most of all, I'd like to know if there is any chance at all that a good gunsmith can put it in servicable condition (there's not s speck of rust; the bluing is worn where you'd expect). My youngest son is much too old to have this as a first gun, but he's a very good shooter and is in fact a rangemaster, so if there is any way I could give him this gun in working condition it would please me a great deal.

I apologize for the length of my post. I have never learned the trick of saying a lot with a little.

 

[Riphalman]

What does it need?

 

[chiggerbyt]

http://www.proofhouse.com/cm/house_brand.htm
The link above lists a "premier trail blazer" as being a Stevens 29A. You may get a start there. chig

 

[JohnBT]

Here's a 2002 post I found on TheFiringLine.

"My records show that 'Premier' was a trade name used by some one like Montgomery Wards on the Stevens Arms Model 75 slide action .22 caliber rifle. This was basically Stevens version of the Savage Model 29. Since yours has an octagon barrel it would be considered pre-WWII, made sometime between 1929-1940. Hope this helps!

Steve Mace"
____________

I also found a pic on an auction site.

"Premier .22 cal. pump rifle w/hex barrel, Serial # 31710"

 

[amd6547]

I have one myself that belonged to my Grandfather. It is a fine shooter. It is capable of using 22short as well as LR, and the tube mag holds a lot of the shorts. The Savage functions like a pump shotgun, in that there is a lever near the trigger guard which allows you to open the action when it is cocked. There is no disconector, which means you can hold the trigger and work the pump and it will fire as long as there is ammo in the tube...very quickly. I find that if I fire CB longs through the long barrel, it is very quiet.
If you remove the large screw from the side of the reciever, the rifle breaks down into two pieces for packing or storage.
All in all, a very nice old rimfire.

 

[jamestbell]

Thanks for the help

Thank you all. It does appear that the gun is a 'house branded' model made by Savage for Montgomery Ward. I've seen other references to the "Premier" label being an MW brand, and the K in the serial number indicates it was a house brand gun, not a Savage. That jives perfectly with my life experience; my father was still ordering from the Monkey Wards catalog when I was in high school so the fact HIS father probably purchased that gun from the same source is no surprise.
I'll go to work on getting it ready to fire. As I said there is no rust so other than the fact it has not been fired in more than 50 years that I know of, possibly longer, there should not be any insurmountable problems.

I'm not sure if I'll share that information about holding the trigger down and working the slide. Until I get a chance to try it myself.

 

[Wardog2]

I too, have a Premier .22 label rifle given to me by my dad. He purchased it from the Montgomery Ward catalog in the 1920's when he was about 10 or 12 years old. He used it extensively and so did I when I was a boy. It was the best and most accurate shooting rifle I had, (better than my newer Winchester) and most fun. Some of the internal moving parts are becoming worn and I'm wondering whether any parts exist for replacement?

 

[Riphalman]

savage pump

You might look here for parts. I really enjoy my model 25. What a fun little rifle. You hear it said a lot....but they DON'T make 'em like that anymore.

http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=089Zz29A

 

[chevyforlife21]

in an older american rifle man magazine in that they said it was worth 350 in what ever condition theres was i cant remember what condition its 60 percent maybe, i do remember excellent condition puts it at 750 if it looks new in box.