Thank you Grandpa

[Sdiver]

My mother just returned from her home town back in Wisconsin after visiting her mother, and brought back a little something for me, something my grandmother had, that I didn't even know she held onto, after visiting her MANY times.

I just received my Grandfathers old, Remington Fieldmaster model 121, .22 short long or short, rifle. It is in Pristine condition. It also has a Weaver G4 scope mounted on it, still with the "El Paso Texas" stamp on it.

My mother told me, this is the rifle she learned to shoot on, and that my Grandfather had this rifle even before she was born. (She was born in 1940.....sssshhhhhhh don't tell her I said that.)

There is no discernable serial number markings on it, but there is a 466 number stamped on it, where one would find a serial number.

Also included were 2 boxes of ammo. Well only one box. The other box is nothing but blank cartridges, by how they are crimped at the top.

One question I do have.....how long is ammo good for? The one box, has a combination of short and long, rim fire cartridges. Would they still be good to fire? Of course I'll go out and pick a box of "newer" ammo, but I'm curious about if I should fire these that came with the rifle, or toss them?

As soon as I get my camera issue sorted out, I'll post up some pics.

It should be no problem to fire that ammo. If it still will. Rimfire ammo doesnt keep very well but theres no hurt in trying. Also make sure those shells you think are blanks arent actually winchester shotshells. They look just like a blank but they have #12 dust shot in them. Great for shooting birds inside bards and metal buildings. Youll be fine. Also there probably isnt a serial number since it wasnt required at the time the rifle was made. 466 may suffice or it could be an inspection number. Hope this helps. Great little rifle.

[The Reaper]

I would have a gunsmith check it out before firing.

Then I would keep your Grandfather's ammo for mementos and shoot fresh loads in it. Get several boxes of different ammo, and find out which load it "prefers" to shoot, then pick up a couple of bricks of it.

If you choose to shoot the old ammo, be prepared for misfires, hangfires, etc. If you get a click insterad of a boom, wait a few seconds before taking the gun off the target line or ejecting the round.

In my experience, rimfire ammo holds up better than centerfire over time, as the only point of entry for moisture is the case mouth, and most .22s are crimped at the mouth. I have fired centerfire ammo over 60 years old, and rimfires over 100 years old. The rimfire was more reliable.

Congrats on getting your hands on a piece of your history.

TR

[Sdiver]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

I would have a gunsmith check it out before firing.

Then I would keep your Grandfather's ammo for mementos and shoot fresh loads in it. Get several boxes of different ammo, and find out which load it "prefers" to shoot, then pick up a couple of bricks of it.

If you choose to shoot the old ammo, be prepared for misfires, hangfires, etc. If you get a click instead of a boom, wait a few seconds before taking the gun off the target line or ejecting the round.

In my experience, rimfire ammo holds up better than centerfire over time, as the only point of entry for moisture is the case mouth, and most .22s are crimped at the mouth. I have fired centerfire ammo over 60 years old, and rimfires over 100 years old. The rimfire was more reliable.

Congrats on getting your hands on a piece of your history.

TR

Thank you Sir for the advice. It's much appreciated.

I've already called up a local gunstore to see if they'd be willing to check it out. They said, bring it down, they'd love to work on it.

As far as the old ammo I received, I was thinking the same as you, and just keeping it for mementos. One is a Box of Western Super X long rounds, and the other is a box of Winchester Super X. Both are in "old" boxes, so just having them as mementos would probably be the best.

Again thanks.

Originally Posted by Lawless

Also make sure those shells you think are blanks arent actually winchester shotshells. They look just like a blank but they have #12 dust shot in them.

Wouldn't you know it, that is EXACTLY what it is. A box of Winchester Super X, #12 dust shot.

Thanks for the advice.

[grog18b]

Grandfathers are great. I recently received my Grandfather's 16 gauge Ranger double barrel he bought when HE was a kid. 1920s era. I hunted with it when I was a kid, and forgot all about it. When my mother brought it here, and I took it apart, it still had remnants of weeds, apparently put there the last time I hunted with it 25+ years ago. Amazing thing about it is that, when I hunted with it when I was 12, I thought it was a heavy club. Now, it's a lightweight toy... Guess I got a lot larger, while, I'm pretty sure the weapon remained the same size. Both barrels are spotless, and despite the foliage I removed from the handguard, it is pretty clean. My grandfather also had two civil war pistols, consecutive numbered, with original holsters and powder horns that his relatives stole from his estate when he died. Sad to hear about that. They probably sold them, where I would have kept them in the family, like this shotgun. Firearms are a good thing to leave your youngins. I know I'll have some nice things to pass on. When the retirement check comes in, I have my eye on an M1A to complete my Springfield collection.

Keep that old 22, and make sure you have a will done up to insure it goes to who you want it to go to... Lesson learned here. GROG

[Sdiver]

My latest acquisition.