Rusted Receiver ID help (PIC HEAVY!)

ag05 · January 23, 2010, 07:29 PM

TFL members,

I work at a park in Central Texas that used to be ranchland. there are several historic houses on the place (built by German settlers) and plenty of artifacts. While looking through some artifacts in storage today, I found 2 rifle receivers. There was no notation, photos, or any other information with them, just the parts themselves. I could not positively identify the types of rifles, so I'm asking for your help.

I took these few photos and I can take more if needed. I was unable to take measurements at the time, but I can do that as well.

This first one appears after some research to be something like a Winchester 1885 Low Wall. If I'm looking at it correctly, the bore is about .22 caliber.

Schutzenfests were quite a popular thing around here during the late 19th century, and are still a local tradition, so a heavy barreled single shot .22 would not be out of place.

ag05 · January 23, 2010, 07:31 PM

I have no idea what this next one is

Any help ya'll can give would be greatly appreciated!

roklok · January 24, 2010, 12:17 AM

The second receiver is from a Stevens pump .22 such as this one :

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=154012016

The first sure looks like a Stevens Favorite, thats where I would put my money anyway.

Like this: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=154459529

Deadguy · January 24, 2010, 12:40 PM

Why would they have taken their guns apart and tossed the recievers in the dirt in the first place?

mykeal · January 24, 2010, 01:50 PM

Two possible scenarios:

1) the parts were damaged and replaced, with the damaged parts being thrown away only to be found years later

2) the guns were in a fire and the wood burned off; the barrels may have been salvaged for rework or use as tools or weapons

LaserSpot · January 24, 2010, 02:38 PM

roklok, you're good; I've never even heard of a Stevens Visiloader.

It looks like they hacksawed the barrel off that single shot. Maybe they were both abused kids rifles; not work fixing or selling, so someone "decommissioned" them and tossed out the pieces.

DrLaw · January 25, 2010, 07:57 AM

I also agree that the first is a Stevens Favorite-type. The second, I had also never heard about, so you can teach an old dog - something - as opposed to new tricks.

The Doc is out now.

ag05 · January 25, 2010, 09:55 AM

Great work guys! Thanks for all the help. I had been unaware of the significance of the J. Stevens Arms Co. Now I have more information to keep with these artifacts.

Thanks again!

January 23, 2010, 07:29 PM	#1
ag05 Junior Member Join Date: November 16, 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 7	Rusted Receiver ID help (PIC HEAVY!) TFL members, I work at a park in Central Texas that used to be ranchland. there are several historic houses on the place (built by German settlers) and plenty of artifacts. While looking through some artifacts in storage today, I found 2 rifle receivers. There was no notation, photos, or any other information with them, just the parts themselves. I could not positively identify the types of rifles, so I'm asking for your help. I took these few photos and I can take more if needed. I was unable to take measurements at the time, but I can do that as well. This first one appears after some research to be something like a Winchester 1885 Low Wall. If I'm looking at it correctly, the bore is about .22 caliber. Schutzenfests were quite a popular thing around here during the late 19th century, and are still a local tradition, so a heavy barreled single shot .22 would not be out of place.

January 25, 2010, 07:57 AM	#7
DrLaw Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2007 Location: Wild Western Illinois Posts: 559	I also agree that the first is a Stevens Favorite-type. The second, I had also never heard about, so you can teach an old dog - something - as opposed to new tricks. The Doc is out now. __________________ General McAuliffe said it best "Nuts."

January 23, 2010, 07:31 PM	#2
ag05 Junior Member Join Date: November 16, 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 7	I have no idea what this next one is Any help ya'll can give would be greatly appreciated!

January 24, 2010, 12:17 AM	#3
roklok Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2008 Location: Fort Yukon, Alaska Posts: 735	The second receiver is from a Stevens pump .22 such as this one : http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=154012016 The first sure looks like a Stevens Favorite, thats where I would put my money anyway. Like this: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=154459529

January 24, 2010, 12:40 PM	#4
Deadguy Member Join Date: April 17, 2008 Location: WI Posts: 93	Why would they have taken their guns apart and tossed the recievers in the dirt in the first place?

January 24, 2010, 01:50 PM	#5
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	Two possible scenarios: 1) the parts were damaged and replaced, with the damaged parts being thrown away only to be found years later 2) the guns were in a fire and the wood burned off; the barrels may have been salvaged for rework or use as tools or weapons

January 24, 2010, 02:38 PM	#6
LaserSpot Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 311	roklok, you're good; I've never even heard of a Stevens Visiloader. It looks like they hacksawed the barrel off that single shot. Maybe they were both abused kids rifles; not work fixing or selling, so someone "decommissioned" them and tossed out the pieces.

January 25, 2010, 09:55 AM	#8
ag05 Junior Member Join Date: November 16, 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 7	Great work guys! Thanks for all the help. I had been unaware of the significance of the J. Stevens Arms Co. Now I have more information to keep with these artifacts. Thanks again!