That's a wonderful Springfield M22 that I think most people would love to own. It obviously doesn't have collector value, but should have a lot of shooter's value if it's accurate.
Likely done when these didn't have the collector interest they've received in recent years. Maybe 1950's or '60's era build? Might remove the barreled action and buttplate to see if you find any markings on the stock, or under the barrel?
I really like it!

 

The original barrel markings are mostly illegible, probably from when the Parkerizing was removed. However I can barely read "SA" over flaming bomb over what might be something ending in "2".

Thanks!
Dave

 

That is blasphemy .... But I think I might start looking for a beater m1922 to do the same thing...

That is a pretty cool find!

 

I've felt the same way about modifying what has become a valuable collectible ... but in this case, someone else made the decision for me

Thanks!
Dave

 

And it would have been foolish of you to pass it up.
- Modified rifles need love too...

 

This is how you customize without physically altering the original rifle. I have all the original parts so the rifle can be converted back in about 30 minutes.

Original Condition

Custom English Walnut Stock

Art

 

That's mighty fine.

 

DB, I wouldn't throw that one out of the safe
Is the nose cap horn, ebony or plastic? Looks to be a nice shape.

 

Long ago, in the eighties, I encountered a modified 1922. Had a decent grafting on of a cheek piece, among other things.
At the time, I thought it was a bargain @295.
However, my interests were elsewhere, the value had been impacted by its non originality to an unknown degree, and the big thing was that it was in need of an Unertl scope for the barrel blocks, and I knew that would cost me quite a bit if I could even find one.
Dave, you really luck out in finding some interesting stuff in your part of the world.👍

 

Dave, you really luck out in finding some interesting stuff in your part of the world.👍

I'm very fortunate, well, in a lot of ways ... My late Debbie loved going to auctions with me. She bought quilts, I bought guns and she thought she got the better of the deal My friends Frank and Michael go with me now, and there are plenty of auctions to go to. On any given weekend, there are at least two gun auctions within a 50 mile radius of the Harrisburg area.

Enjoy!
Dave

 

That's a very handsome sporter, congrats!

 

What a classy looking rifle! I've thought about trying to find a decent Springfield 22RF to add to my modest collection, but will tell you straight-up that I'd honestly rather find one like yours so I wouldn't have to worry about whether it was 'correct', and could just enjoy looking at and shooting it!

 

No virtue signaling from me on preserving condition, as Elvis has left the building. 😀

That's a fine looking rifle and I wouldn't have passed it by.

I'd say maybe 50's work.

 

1950’s, but the forend cap and butt plate suggest a custom, or gunsmith level work, as does the excellent inletting that can be seen in the photos of the action.
Bishop was very popular for stocks back then, but the work on yours is better than the typical semi inletted stock from Bishop. Found a Bishop Superior for my Grandpa’s old 722 a couple years ago. The rifle was bought 1954, and the stock was the same as offered in Bishops 1948 catalogue.

 

I was thinking Bishop also, but I see no direct evidence of that. The inletting is excellent ...

And to answer an earlier question, the forearm tip is some sort of wood, again expertly attached ...

In taking the action off, I discovered a Timney "Sportsman" trigger. Might that help date the conversion?

Also, the buttplate is brass, a bit out of character for the rest of the gun, but expertly done ...

 

Sorry, this is the photo of the buttplate that I wanted to put up ...

 

Very nice! The kind of rifle I drooled over reading Jack O’Connor in the early 1960s-onward.

 

I like the brass buttplate. Unique and looks to be really well inlet…

 

Your forearm tip and grip cap are likely ebony wood. The forearm tip method of fitment, and workmanship on inletting the channel are both excellent. Whoever did the work wasn't some amateur doing it.

 

That's a great gun and I would have bought it in a minuet. Think of it like this. It used to be a sub caliber training rifle for the 1903. Now it is a sub caliber training rifle for a Griffin & Howe 1903 sporter safari rifle.

 

As nice as that glass is it sure would look good with a Lyman All American PermaCenter scope

 

Whoa, that's a great idea, and I may have one in my scope drawer. Stay tuned.

Thanks!
Dave

 

Mix match nothing! That is a beautiful looking rifle..nice find..

 

Makes me want to customize my already modified 1922m2. Probably not as a sporter, but rather as a full stock gun with a unertl style scope. Already drilled and tapped for blocks and the original issue stock altered.

But I like to see others done well!

 

Time was a 4x was considered quite a thing, and it IS an All American , doesn't have to be a Permacenter. If the 4x has a reticle you like and still good optics it may be fine (until something better comes along).
Fwiw, Im currently running an old Weaver K4 on my Haenel KK Sport but the Ly AA 10x is on our Rem 510X more for range work than an all rounder. Either scope has been on either rifle depending upon the intensions I had. I know Im biased but either way they look 'right' too.

 

Update: Took the Springfield to the plinking range today for function testing and zeroing the scope. Conditions weren't ideal -- damp, near 30 degrees, ugh -- but there were some annoying light strikes. I'll have to search bolt disassembly instructions. It did show signs of good accuracy, but I'll need a warmer day for my old hands to test that.

Enjoy!
Dave

 

Double check the finger "nut" on the back of the bolt has not loosened, it should be tight. Check the headspace. Bolt is not hard to disassemble if you are familiar with 1903 bolt (the front half of bolt body will come off separately tho). Could be old gunked up oil and/or debris are slowing down the firing pin too tho.

 

I am a shooter, not a collector. I also really appreciate good gun work which this rifle has every where you look!
I would rather have this rifle than an original. Don't get me wrong I would never modify an original myself I would save that for someone that would appreciate it. I would be extremely proud to take this rifle to the range!

 

ill agree with those sentiments , i have a rifle that was modified and refinished , has most of the original bits but is no collector piece , i enjoy shooting it and also never alter one that was in original condition but i like this one a lot ,