Rifleman Q&A: A Hornet In Father’s Attic

by
posted on April 22, 2025
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Savage .22 Hornet single-shot rifle
NRA member photos.

Q. I was helping a friend clean out his attic when we found this Savage .22 Hornet single-shot rifle. Everything was tight, and we couldn’t move the scope adjustments or mounts. As a result, we couldn’t see the model number.

I tried looking online but couldn’t find anything about the time this gun or its scope were made. The rifle belonged to my friend’s father, and he doesn’t remember ever seeing it. We’re both in our late 70s. I’ve enclosed some photos of the rifle and scope, hoping the scope will help identify the rifle; I assume he probably bought them together. Any help would be appreciated.


A. Thank you for your inquiry regarding your friend’s .22 Hornet Savage single-shot rifle. Your rifle appears to be the Model 219 single-shot. This rifle was introduced with the Model 219B in 1938. The optic attached appears to be a Lyman Junior Targetspot scope.


"Questions & Answers" is compiled by staff, Field and Contributing Editors from the inquiries about guns, ammunition and their use received by American Rifleman. Direct answers to technical and historical questions are provided only to NRA members. Submit letters to: Dope Bag, NRA Publications, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400 or to: [email protected]. Include your membership number or current copy of an NRA magazine mailing label or membership card and a self-addressed, stamped, business-size envelope. Please limit each letter to one specific question. Technical or historical questions cannot be answered by telephone, and even approximate values on guns or other equipment cannot be provided. Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for replies.

Latest

Daniel Defense H9
Daniel Defense H9

Review: Daniel Defense H9

Is the third time the charm? Daniel Defense has introduced a third version of the Hudson H9 pistol. Smaller, lighter and less radical, it could be “the one.”

Supreme Plus: Ranger Point Precision & Line49 Rifle Henry LASR Conversions

A new collaboration between modern lever-action specialists Ranger Point Precision and Line49 Rifle transforms Henry’s groundbreaking Lever Action Supreme Rifle.

The Armed Citizen® June 15, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

NRA Launches "ARC Across America" National Challenge

The National Rifle Association is inviting Americans, coast-to-coast, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States—and the freedom for which it stands—by exercising their rights by participating in the "ARC Across America" National Challenge.

New for 2026: Sightmark Strikon Prism Optics

Sightmark now offers two different prismatic optics for carbines and shotguns.

Q&A: Getting the Lead Out of Revolver Cylinders & Barrels

One American Rifleman reader wrote in, asking how to clean lead build-up out of his Colt revolver and also prevent lead from building up with his cast bullets.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.