Description

Recently imported from the US is this excellent example of a US WW2 military training rifle introduced into US military service in 1941 & used to train recruits for military service in WW2.

As WW2 expanded to encompass the whole US economy, it became clear to the Army that some cost cutting measures would be required. One place that was a clear choice was in rimfire .22 calibre training rifles. Since the 1920s, the US had used training & competition rifles from Springfield Armory, built on 1903 rifle receivers. These M1922 rifles were very high quality – too high to justify continued use during wartime. Something much cheaper & simpler would be just as good for the abbreviated marksmanship training that was the wartime standard.

The Stevens company already made & sold the Model 416 target rifle, which fit the new US Army needs more closely. It was a simple bolt action rifle with a nice aperture sight, but costing far less than the M1922. After discussion, Stevens created a new model specifically for the military which became known as the Model 416X, (also known as the 416-2) which is what this rifle is. These had the heavy barrel (marked ‘X Barrel’ , hence the designation of 416X) making it ideal for this purpose as it also replicated the weight of a 1903 Springfield.

Between 1941 – 1943 some 10,338 were purchased at a cost of $17.98 each to the US military. They were the Model 416-2, which had metallic sights although some also had factory installed scope blocks & this is one of those. Many buyers of the postwar surplus rifles simply threw away the iron sights & put a scope on for varmint hunting or plinking.

This gun was part of that 10,000 rifle contract that the United States military ordered for use in basic firearms training.

Correctly, this rifle is marked U.S. PROPERTY on the barrel & also has the iconic US ‘flaming bomb’. Being marked U.S. PROPERTY with the flaming bomb on the receiver confirms US Military service. It retains the original sights which is rare because most post war owners had the sights upgraded.

The stock is in very good condition with a few minor dings & scratches as would be expected with being handled by recruits who likely never held a rifle before & there is a couple of marks on the barrel (see photos).

The Stevens 416X would remain in production until the early ’50’s, successfully serving as a training aid for new recruits & a simple but accurate rifle for shooters after the war.

The serial numbers started at 200,000 & the number of this gun places it as a late 1941-early 1942 production.

As can be seen in the photos, is in outstanding condition with a small amount of wear, (see photos).

Not just is this in brilliant condition, it comes with two (2) original magazines plus it retains the inserts for the aperture sights which are almost always lost in time.

Imagine doing your rimfire comps with this rifle!

These rarely (if ever) end up here & this may well be the only one in Australia.

This is ideal for the collector of military trainers & as can be seen in the photos, this rifle comes with the original sling which is marked ’42’ which we assume is an inventory number or perhaps a rack number.

If you are a collector of military .22LR trainers, do your own research & you will know if this is for you. We are not going to try & rate the condition out of 100 as everyone seems to have a different opinion on what the percentages should be so we’ll let the pictures be the description. View the photos carefully & make your decision based on what you see as they form the main description & override all written information.

We think we have described it accurately & correctly but do not claim to be infallible so if we have got anything wrong, it is unintentional.

Whilst we check these out for serviceability, the warranty has expired & this is sold on an ‘as is’ basis. As with all used guns, we recommend you have this checked by a suitably qualified person prior to shooting.

Standard cost for shipping is $55 & all guns are sent via StarTrack without insurance but we do pack very well.

Do your own research & you will know if this is for you. Please view the photos carefully & make your decision based on what you see as they form the main description & override all written information. Ask for more if desired.