info on gun
Question
Mr Gage, I am looking for any information including what this firearm may be worth. I have a Steven Arms, Ranger 101-11a, .22 caliber smokeless, semi-automatic firearm. I am told it was bought new in 1933 for approximately $10. This is all the information I have been given. If you need other info. please let me know what that info. is and I will get back with you. Thanks for you time in this matter. Len Griggs
Answer
Hello Len Griggs.
Your Stevens Arms Ranger Model 101-11a was one of many semi-automatic rifles built by Savage. In 1936, J. Stevens Arms became a fully owned division of Savage Arms. It is popular opinion, that the Model 87, manufactured in 1938, is the rifle Sears placed the name 'Ranger' on. However, according to all cross-over references, there are no Ranger Model 101-11a listed in the charts. The other models of that time frame are Model 76 and 076, which were discontinued in 1947; Model 57 and 057, manufactured from 1939 and discontinued in 1947.
The Model 57 had a clip magazine that held 5 rounds. It was capable of handling .22 short, .22 long and .22 long rifle cartridges. It was unique, since it could be used in semi-automatic mode with the .22 LR cartridge. The .22 Long and .22 Short could be fired by changing the rifle into a bolt action by pressing the bolt handle inward to fire one cartridge, then pulling out and back on the bolt handle to remove the spent cartridge and pushing it back in and forward to chamber the next round. The barrel stamp reads something to the effect ".22Long Rifle Semi-Automatic Only. Bolt action .22 Short and .22 Long" The forearm had a capped tip, and a hard rubber butt plate.
The Model 76 had a knurled thumb nut in the middle of the forearm for easy take down. It had a 24" barrel. It had a tubular magazine with the capacity of fifteen .22 L.R, seventeen .22 Long and twenty-one .22 Shorts. The operations were the same as the Model 57, also with the capped forearm tip and the hard rubber butt plate
The most agreed upon model used by Sears was the Model 87. This model was basically the same as the Model 76, with the differences of a steel butt plate and walnut stained hardwood stock.
One final 'comment' I found in my research, is that Sears used the name 'Ranger' before WW11, and after, Ted Williams.
In 1939, the Model 76 listed price was $15.65, and in 1959, the Model 87 listed price was $39.50. I am sure the price is considerably more on todays market, although, keeping in mind that the Stevens models were priced less than the Savage models. I suggest you check some of the more popular web sales sites, such as: www.internationalarms.com or www.americanarms.com.
I hope this information will help answer your question, and thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage
US Revolver Co.
.38 US Revolver Company