My Grandfather’s Guns 2/6 .22 Springfield / Stevens Model 15

This .22 rifle was released in 1938 , it sold for $3.19 . It was listed in the Sears & Roebuck Spring Catalog . It was a youth or boys rifle . It was a favorite if the Boy Scouts of America . The rifle had 24 parts , it had a Birch stock that was stain a Dark Walnut . My Grandfather bought this rifle new in 1938 and was given to his eldest son , Theron, my father , Bill , acquired it in January of 1942 , when Theron quit school to enlist in the Navy

[@hobofactory]

While my collecting has mostly focused on military surplus, I’ve always been fascinated by these decades-old, civilian .22’s. I’m sure many have great stories behind them, like yours does. They also certainly evoke a different time and culture: when someone could go into a hardware store and pick one up like one would a hammer... a time and place more defined by individualism and self-reliance than we see today. I wasn’t around for any of that, of course, but sure is nice to think about.

[@milsurprifleguy7091]

I also collect the military surplus rifles , in fact , hopefully I will have one out about a few I purchased this past month . I thought it would be interesting showing “ My Grandfathers Guns “ because he bought them for himself or as the .22 he bought for his eldest son . My father was able to acquire most of them and being able to talk to him about them .as you said a different time and place . I didn’t think to ask my dad if he remembers where my grandfather bought it , since they where in northern Minnesota on a farm & considering the farm they where at when visited them it had a 556 population

[@8mmmauserman]

These old rifles are so cool because if their history. Especially when it’s personal family history like yours. I found a Wards Western Fields Model 38 at a gun show recently and initials were carved in the stock under the barrel. Great video!

[@milsurprifleguy7091]

When you look back and think about it , I would say almost all have a story . Especially the youth models . Some young boy getting his first rifle , the feeling & joy of owning one

[@8mmmauserman]

@@milsurprifleguy7091 it really is a special thing.

[@usna98]

Nice little .22 rifle and great that it's still in your family. Thanks for posting!

[@milsurprifleguy7091]

Thank you for watching , I have a few more to video , my brother is suppose to bring down a rifle he has in two weeks for my parents wedding anniversary / family reunion

[@sailawaybob]

Cool its still in the family, i bought one other day ar a pawn shop. Mine is the Savage-Stevens 15b same gun and what a sweet gun ive been wanting a bolt action single shot. I have a small range out back shoot mostly air guns but with subsonic i can shoot them too , and super accurate with iron sights.

[@milsurprifleguy7091]

Thanks for watching and your comment , great that you found one at a pawnshop and will enjoy shooting it

[@unclearthur9192]

G'Day, Your grandfather's rifle looks very similar but not the same as the .22 single shot rifle that was passed down to me from my father in law. His was made in Germany and was marked "New Century--Model 1938". Interesting that both our rifles have the year 1938 in common. I shoot the rifle with subsonic .22LR or Winchester LongZ. The latter are extremely quiet. I enjoy watching your videos. You have an impressive military surplus collection. Cheers, Steve

[@milsurprifleguy7091]

Yes , a lot of rifles , either civilian or military firearms looked very similar . The countries were watching what was being done by others , & I would say especially from Germany , they influenced a lot of rifle designs . I have not shot the .22 much , so I was using what ammo I had . Maybe do a video using different types of .22 ammo . I do try to put money aside to buy rifles , this past year I had a little bit more to use . This year will be less , I am always looking , just to see what is out there . I did have to pass up on a Arisaka Type 30 carbine , it sold for a good price , I just didn’t have the money for it or over extend myself by buying it . Thanks for relating your story of your .22 rifle .

[@DonChansuwan]

😊😊😊 VERYGOOD Classic...i from THAILAND พัดลุง 30 5 67

[@milsurprifleguy7091]

Thank you

[@sailawaybob]

And not a gun expert but have shot my share of rifles and pistols and many are finiky about ammo, by 3-4 different brands to see which the gun likes and the ones it hic cups, especially the rimfire ammo.

[@milsurprifleguy7091]

The ammo I was using was just what I had at the time . I do need to buy several brands , then run through each box to find the best for the rifle , again thanks for watching

[@brigond1]

What distance were you shooting at? My father -inlaw gave me his model 15 b .Savage arms , Stevens. I've Short it at 100 yards with decent results. I recently re-finished the birch stock and it looks beautiful! I collect surplus rifles and this fun gun has perked my interest in old 22s. The birch stock looks shockingly beautiful when finished right. The original finish did it no justice. I don't like to change the originality of things but it looks awesome. These rifles usually hold sentimental value and little or no collectable value. I've read that build the years range from 1938t to 1965 and sold in the Sears catalog up to 1971. Also there's no definitive way to tell the year of each model.

[@milsurprifleguy7091]

I shot at my parents property and it is about 70 yards on a slight slope down and to gain more yardage I would be shooting at an angle . The majority of my rifle collection is military surplus rifles and that is why I did this mini series on My Grandfathers Guns , they are unique also in their own way and has the sentimental value to me . Glad that you like how your stock looks now . Thanks for watching & your comment

[@pnotuner1]

Just try your control group A, the 22 shorts. If they work flawlessly then it is your tippheiser ammo that is the problem. Don't be so quick to blame a gun that has functioned well for over a hundred years.

[@kenpierson3548]

22 lr ammo