Ithaca M49, single shot lever action 22 magnum

[Patton]

While out on my gun shop checks for the week I stumbled on a neat little 22 magnum. I never knew the single shot Ithacas existed until last month when a 22lr appeared in the classifieds of TGO. This one is missing all of the paint from the receiver and the lever, but it actually looks like it was supposed to have came that way. The wood is beautiful and the blue is neat with its patina. The best I can tell it is from about 1963. I can imagine the stories it could tell.

[gjohnsoniv]

Hah, that's what I learned to shoot on and what dad learned to shoot on.

[Pete123]

Makes me think of 'Christmas Story' and the official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle!

[Patton]

Makes me think of 'Christmas Story' and the official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle!

You mean with the compass in the stock and the thing that tells time?
I tend to think of it in the same way also.

[Caster]

Those are actually quite the little collectors item among 40/50/60 year old guys. Might not ever skyrocket into four figures price wise but I know a few guys at the range who have them from days long past and they wouldn't sell them for any price.

[Patton]

I think that is why I have such an interest in it. It probably sold for $25 in 1965 at the hardware store or Sears counter. Maybe it was a Christmas present, birthday present, or bought after a whole summer's worth of mowing grass. I just picture some father and son walking to the fishing hole in the late 60's while toting it, shooting some pop cans after the fish didn't bite, and probably passing it down to the grandson. It's a reminder of times long ago that are still heavily in the back of someone's mind.

[jpx2rk]

good find.  

[ttocswob]

My dad has one of those in .22 S, L, LR. It's a beater, but was carried on many raccoon hunts.

 

Guns magazine had this article a couple of issues ago. Good read.

[xtriggerman]

Good find. They are neat little guns with the Martini type action with a nice auto eject. But I do have to warn you, the firing pins have been known to break at a weak point where they go from wide to narrow. Good thing is Numrich still has them for 18 bucks

[DWARREN123]

Had one long ago. Got it and ammo at a Western Auto, no forms just gave them money

[Westwindmike]

I bought my son one in 22LR right after he was born in 1981. He never really got into guns, so it is still in my safe waiting for my 3yo granddaughter to be old enough to inherit it. Good little shooter and safe too. You have to manually cock the hammer after loading with the lever.

[Will]

Got mine in grade school 1967 for Christmas.Good shooter once you dialed it in. Dad loved it and would always give me his .410 for our tree rat outings,he could

put three rounds through same hole at 25 yds on sighting in. Not me. I just found Ithaca Contracted it out of a company in Germany to make it. Had he known

this he would have cut it up with a hacksaw after spending three years there in a frozen foxhole. It resides in my safe.