Savage/Stevens single shot, top break, rifles, Model 219
These rifles looked almost identical to the shotguns & had a lever on top to break open the barrel for loading & unloading, did not have a visible hammer unlike the shotguns. Have learned that they were produced in 4 calibers, all center fire, .22 Hornet, .25/20, .32/20 & the 30/30, please correct me if I'm wrong for the only ones I've seen were in .22 Hornet. All these rifles were well made and exhibited the overbuilt qualities we learned to appreciate from early USA Craftsmen. The receivers were case hardened and the stock & forearm were/are Walnut wood. I wonder why they were not more prominent, meaning they are seldom seen at gun shows or local gun shops that I visit? What price range should I expect to pay for a good shooter and for a pristine example, if you know? I thank you for any and all information you are willing to provide.
Looking for Date of Manufacture of 218B
I just purchased at Model 219B in .30/30 from a local gun store. It is in pretty nice shape with good case colors. It does have a serial number on it that is four digit, I’ve looked for more than an hour now on the Internet trying to determine the date of manufacture but have come up empty. When savage switched from the 219 to the 219 B, where the date codes dropped? I am assuming, but perhaps incorrectly, the fact I have a serial number at all indicates a post 1968 production? Can you provide any assistance? Thanks.
