Wards Western Field Model 40

[Jambino46]

Hi all, I just picked this rifle up today and I can't seem to find any info on it. It looks almost new except its missing the peep sight I see on other pictures of it. I'm trying to figure out what years they were made. I'm thinking it was either refinished or has been sitting in a safe for a while. Can anyone help me out?

 

[Reloadron]

This thread may be of some help. The peep sights were used on the target models I think. Mossberg made quite a few guns for Western Field as well as Marlin and several other gun manufacturers. Many of those old 22 rifles are some of the best shooting 22 rifles you could want.

Ron

 

[Jambino46]

The chart in that thread says its a Marlin 101. It doesn't really look like one though. No peep sight, no magazine tube. I'd like to find a peep sight replacement for it.

 

[Reloadron]

The chart in that thread says its a Marlin 101. It doesn't really look like one though. No peep sight, no magazine tube. I'd like to find a peep sight replacement for it.

One of my old Blue Books reflects the Western Field Model #40 as a Marlin 101 and when I looked I noticed what you noticed. Doesn't look like that. However, I also saw Western Field 40,D as a Mossberg #44 and a Western Field 4ON as a Noble 40NA.

Enter another quirk. Many of these older rifles came in a few offerings. The peep sight versions were often labeled as "Target Rifle". My first ever rifle was an old Remington 510P where the P designated the model as having a peep sight rather than the standard model 510.

What you have is one really sweet bolt action 22 rifle with a tube magazine. I am just not sure who made it? Obviously it isn't a 40N model, The Mossberg flavors look like what you have, including the peep sight. I am guessing a pre WWII Mossberg made for Western Field. Try a Google of Mossberg Model 40 and see what you think?

Ron

 

[Sunray]

Marlin sold the same rifle to everybody and his brother.
Glenfield Model 10, Glenfield Model 101-G, Cotter & Company Model 10-40, Western Field 40, multiple Sears models and multiple Western Auto models.

 

[Jambino46]

Thanks guys. It looks just like the Mossberg model 40 except the stock, not sure why they say Marlin 101. I'll email havlin sales to see if the OM22 sight will fit.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Numrich should have one.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Good looking Rifle. Most I have seen and shot are fine shooters.

 

[Reloadron]

Thanks guys. It looks just like the Mossberg model 40 except the stock, not sure why they say Marlin 101. I'll email havlin sales to see if the OM22 sight will fit.

I looked at Numerich and they didn't have a sight. However, there are a variety of aftermarket sights you may want to try. A Google of Mossberg Model 40 Rear Sight gets some hits so maybe start with that.

Ron

 

[hunley1864]

22 auto western field rifle

I just purchased one from a freind who inheirated 20 firearms, this was one of them. Mine is a 22 auto with feed tube and slide bolt. From what I been able to find out it was made by Savage arms.

 

[Ash]

That rifle doesn't look like a Mossberg. Looking at a Glenfield and this Western Field, I'd say that is a Marlin. It sure isn't a Mossberg. Perhaps, if not a Marlin, it is a Noble.

 

[ozzieo]

Looks like a Marlin model 80 or 81 DL. Can't remember which identifies tube fed.

 

[Elkins45]

That "pregnant guppie" stock really makes me think Mossberg. I have one with a similarly shaped stock. It is a fantastic shooter.

 

[clang]

It's a Mossberg Model 45

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Wards Western Field apparently reused model numbers on house brands made by different manufacturers.

Numrich Arms, Gun Parts Corp., Cross Reference

HOUSE BRAND         MODEL NO.         ORIG MFGR.           ORIG. MODEL

Western Field       40,D              Mossberg             44
Western Field       40                Marlin               101
Western Field       40N               Noble                40NA
Western Field       40M-215A          Mossberg             185

 

[Ash]

I totally overlooked the model 45. I agree, that is it, a Mossberg 45. I stuck with earlier or later models, all of which have a different aesthetic.

 

[Scooter22]

It's a Mossberg Model 44. Take a look here. http://home.epix.net/~damguy/models.htm
Here. http://www.gunauction.com/buy/9531417

Latter "44" models were mag fed. Mossberg/ Ward Western Field model numbers are VERY confusing. Nice rifle.

 

[Ash]

Here's a Mossberg model 44.

 

[Scooter22]

Yes thats one of the later 44US models. Like I said. The early Model 44 was a tube feed and made in the 1930s. The next "44" was the No. 44B mag feed target rifle. Then the 44US series came out at the beginning of WWII. They had a,b,c,d variations. Just saying "I have a Mossberg 44 .22" means nothing unless you have the prefixes to go along with it. Go to the first link I gave and follow the progression of model numbers. Also. for the most part the Wards/ Western Field guns did not follow the numbers of the Mossberg line.

 

[Ash]

I can't think of a time that they have. I have a Western Field 730 which is the Mossberg 810, a model 72 which is a Mossberg 472, and several others. The only one that came close was the Western Field 550, which was the Mossberg 500.

 

[Scooter22]

Another confusing thing when you see the first numbers on WestenField it's the year backwards. So you may see "04M" or" 93M" ect... it's 1940 or 1939 ect....

 

[Ash]

That's the case on earlier Western Fields. Those made in the 60's and later are simply model-numbered (though 1050's and 60's variants did have manufacturer's codes in the model numbers, such as EMN being Marlin).