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

Rugerzrepor
Rugerzrepor

Ruger to Discontinue Several Major Models

Ruger announced a major change to several of its longtime product lines this week, stating that it would immediately suspend production of several models while finishing out current production runs of other models through 2026.

I Have This Old Gun: The British Lee-Metford Rifle

In the late 1880s, the British military adopted its first bolt-action rifle chambered for the .303 British cartridge. This is the Lee-Metford, the first step on the way to the iconic Lee-Enfield.

Colt Delivers M4A1 Rifles to Guatemala Through Foreign Military Sales Program

Guatemala’s military recently acquired more than 2,000 Colt M4A1 rifles through the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales program as part of the country's ongoing military modernization efforts.

NRA Launches New Texas Senate Ad as Part of Multi-Million Dollar Campaign to Retain Pro-Gun Majorities in Congress

The NRA today released a new 30-second ad highlighting Democrat U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico’s longstanding support for banning so-called “assault weapons” and standard-capacity magazines—the firearms and accessories owned by millions of law-abiding Texans.

Going Pro: Springfield Armory's Echelon Pro Comp

Springfield Armory has expanded its Echelon line of handguns with several new Echelon Pro Comp offerings, bringing a number of what the company calls "performance-oriented enhancements" to the platform.

Steel Yourselves—Metal is Back

These days, it’s safe to say that injection-molded polymer of some sort is the most prevalent material from which to construct a pistol frame, but lately, that trend seems to be reversing. Metal is back.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.