Trying to Learn More About A Remington 22

TinytheTabby · Aug 30, 2008

I have this old gun...

Okay, it'a a rifle my father got me for Christmas back in about 1981 when he bought my brothers their pistols. Anyway, the only markings on it read

Remington Arms Co., Inc. Ilion, N.Y.
-Model 33
Made In U.S.A. - Patents Pending

and

Remington .22 Short, Long
Reg. US. Pat Off Or Long Rifle

My husband is trying to learn more about this rifle, such as when it was made, why we can't find a serial number, and anything else we can learn about it.

It's nothing fancy, just a very basic one-shot-at-a-time rifle, and I'm afraid I'm not much help. Can anyone help?

BobCat · Aug 30, 2008

There is an exploded parts breakdown diagram of a Remington Model 33 at:
http://stevespages.com/ipb-remington-33.html - you will find Steve's Pages to be a treasure.

Serial numbers on firearms are a relatively new phenomenon - someone here will know when they started to be required, but it may have been part of the 1934 gun control legislation. Many older firearms have no serial numbers.

Best of luck finding out more about your rifle!

doc2rn · Aug 30, 2008

Does it look something like this? This is the new model 915 that is a single shot that they still make. I would bet he just has a fantastic ole Marlin model 33. I am sure if you cant find any Numbers on the barrel or receiver it was a probably a purchase when they where not required. I am sure someone will be along shortly with the exact info. .22s are kinda covetted round here.

SGW42 · Aug 30, 2008

Remington made a model 33 single shot .22LR for a few years in the 1930's according to their website.

GRB · Aug 30, 2008

Learning about a REMINGTON Model 33 is as easy as typing those words into your browser bar and hitting enter.

See the link I came up with when I did so:

http://www.remington.com/library/history/firearm_models/rimfire/model_33.asp

Mountie855 · Aug 30, 2008

I think s/n's on 22's started with the GCA'68; I have some from the 50's made without s/n's.

Now, haven't they reduced crime?? ;-)

TinytheTabby · Aug 31, 2008

Thanks for the help, guys! My husband did run a basic Google search and even went to Remington's website, but any place he went to asked for a serial number in order to retrieve any information. I found this site by typing in "Where is the serial number on a Remington Model 33?". It took me to the archives and that's how I wound up here.

I didn't realize serial numbers were a recent addition. (Yeah, what career criminal wants to be known for filing off serial numbers, eh? That would be illegal!!!

) I always felt that it was a kind of old rifle, I wasn't sure how old. (Having a few relics from around the Revolution, I consider the early 30's pretty recent!)

doc2rn It's definitely not that one. Looks too fancy! I googled up some images and found exactly the one, but my image hoster isn't working right now. The link Glenn Bartley posted takes you right to a picture of it, but where we got confused was the listing for "Serial Number Blocks". We spent a good part of the evening trying to find a serial number!

Thanks again, guys. I'm sure my husband will wind up on this site at some point as well, because we have three other pieces, one of which we're in a custody battle for. My brother claims it's his and I say it was my father's, but there's no documentation to prove either side. If it was my brother's, I plan to hit him upside the head with a basic firearms maintenance book because it's in abyssmal condition. (I know it was in his possession for a few years and he used to go to the range with it a lot.)

loner5667 · Aug 31, 2008

TinytheTabby,

Your model 33 should have a serial number stamped on the receiver on the left side just in front of the loading port. I just checked both of mine and they both have one. Also, just in front of the receiver on the left side of the barrel there should be two letters. These two letters are known as a barrel code and will tell you the month and year that your rifle was manufactured.

http://www.remingtonsociety.com/rsa/questions/barrelcodes

I went to my photo files and was aghast to find I have no pictures to post of either of my M33’s, will have to rectify that later.

I generally don’t like to post links to other forums, but RFC is a dedicated rimfire forum and they have a Remington section that is a cornucopia of information. The gentleman that co-authored the book on Remington rimfire’s hangs out there quite frequently.

http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230186&highlight=model+33

http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195865&highlight=model+33

http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=178844&highlight=model+33

http://www.remingtonsociety.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2547&sid=e36444dca62bdbc0f76a7f1db7f30f11

Good luck with your continued search for information, and get out and shoot that old Remington a lot….

TinytheTabby · Aug 31, 2008

Okay, found the barrel code. RB. The number 9 follows a short distance after. I think this is the assembly designation, but I couldn't find out what it signified exactly. We have found absolutely no serial numbers, there is no repair stamping, and the right side of the barrel has but one symbol where, according to Remington's code location diagram, the Magnaflux, proof, and/or test stamp goes. The symbol looks like an 8 with what could be a very small c next to the upper loop of the 8, or else half of an S.

I saw a post on one of the links above where the person described the safety. The safety on mine is the kind that you pull back on the end of the bolt and twist it to the right. There was also mention of hatching on the stock, mine is completely smooth with a metal butt plate. I read that the twist safety was a 1950's trait, but if the rifle was made between 1931-1936, now I am confused.

Maybe somebody replaced the bolt?

If I had a digital camera, I'd gladly post a pic of it. Based on the description I gave, however, can any one help me at least put an age on the rifle?

loner5667 · Sep 1, 2008

If your barrel code is 'RB'. then your rifle was manufactured in November of 1933.

The 'pull to cock' mechanism with the twist safety was around long before the 1950's, Winchester was using it on several of their 'boys' rifles at or before the turn of the century.

Your rifle is not the first that I have heard of without a serial number. Both of mine have them on the receiver. Some models had them on the underside of the barrel just in front of the stock.

Regardless, what you have is a nice old 22 rifle that points and shoots well and are a joy to own. If well cared for, it will be around and a good little shooter for another 75 years. I think your father gave you the better gift that christmas and your brothers got the short end.... :neener:

Trying to Learn More About A Remington 22

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