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J.C. Higgins model 50 DOM
338magnut
Member Posts: 761 ✭✭✭
Anyone tell me if there is a way to tell when a J.C. Higgins model 50 cal. 270 Win was made ? I have looked all over the barrel and the receiver but can't find a serial number unless it is under the stock. The only numbers I have found are on the barrel 583.94 which I assume are the Sears model number. Any info is always appreciated.
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https://www.chuckhawks.com/j_c_higgins_50.htm
One of my references, shows the proof date consisting of a single digit stamped inside a box. From 1950 to 1955 it would be the number(s), 1 to 5.
https://www.chuckhawks.com/j_c_higgins_50.htm
Got to be very early production, IMHO. I though everything firearms wise, that was made in Belgium had to be proofed? John Stimpson, ( High Standard gruu ). Would be your best bet. After H-S folded in the mid 80's. They sent all their business records and documentation, to the BATF. Stimpson obtained copies from the feds. If data for the early rifles they built for Sears? is included, he would know.
It had Sears reference numbers 583.90 through and incuding 583.98. It was offered in .30-06 and .270 calibers. The action was a FN mauser action imported trough Firearms International as I reall. The barrel and stock were of High Standard manufacture. Since it was imported as an action there would be no proof mark by FN on the receiver. This preceeded the High Stadanrd acceptance date code practice used by High Standard. I have not found the serial number log for these rifles in the surviving records but they may be there.
The Deluxe version was the Model 51 which had a checkered Monte Carlo stock. The Model 51 appeared in the Fall and Winter 1955 catalog and last appered in the Fall and Winter 1959 catalog. It was available in the same calibers as the Model 50.
The Model 51-L first appeared in the Sears Fall and Winter 1959 catalog and last appeared in the Spring and Summer Sears 1965 catalog. It came in a plain version in .30-06 and in a deluxe version in .30-06, .270, .308, and .243. This was based on the Husqvarna Mauser action imported by Tradewinds.
In the Sears 1965 Fall and Winter catalog the Model 53 ( Winchester Model 70) first appeared as the replacement for the Model 51-L . It was available in .30-06 and .270 calibers.
My Guess would be the 583.94 is from 1952/1953 time frame.
The Ted Willliams tradename is not relevant here as it was well past the Model 50. High Standard models did not get the Ted Williams name as early as 1961. The first Ted Williams branded guns I have found was in the Fall and Winter 1962 catlog. I would add that the transition from J. C Higgins to Ted Williams was varied as to date depending on the particular vendor and model. Some High Stadandard models went theotu a period between J. C. Higgins and Ted Williams when the carried only the SEARS name. Some High Stadanrd models never made the transition> SOme changed for J. C. Higgins to simply SEARS and were then discontinued. I'm pretty sure the 51-L was one of these.
The Jon Wolfe article has some good data and some errors.
After December 1956 HIgh Stadanrd marked the unserial numbered guns for Sears with a two character acceptance date code.