jc higgins/sears & robuck(30-06)??

[crowspasture]

I recently purchased a 30-06 the case it came in says ted williams on it. the gun model number is 51. can anyone help me with the age of this gun.
thanks.

[savageT]

I found this in a search.............

There is room for some doubt but I think you have one of two versions of a rifle made by a well respected maker FN MAUSER.
There were two versions.
The FN MAUSER Deluxe with 24" barrel from about 1945 to the early 60s.
The FN MAUSER Superme with 22 and 24" barrels from the late 50s to the late 70s.
If this is the case, you are looking at a value for a very good condition of about $675 and about $550 respectivly.
The value with the JC Higgins name on an otherwise very fine rifle knocks the value down somewhat but is still a fine piece.


Jim

[JBabcock]

JC Higgins rifles were made for Sears by High Standard. I have 3 of the Model 50's. 2 30-06's and 1 270. 1 of the 30-06's I've never shot. The other 2 are my favorite rifles. The 270 will shoot 7/8's inch groups with any quality ammo. The 30-06 will shoot groups that are around 1 1/4", but I only have a 4x scope on it. My eyes aren't that good, if I had a 3x9 I might be able to shoot better groups. The JC Higgins Model 51 was a Deluxe version with a better grade stock, it came with checkering. The Model 50's used actions that were made by FN. An excellent action. Some of the Model 51's used actions made by FN, others were Husqvarna actions. I've paid as little as 250.00 for one of the 30-06's, and as high as 350.00 for the 270. I wouldn't give much more than that. The Model 50's need the triggers changed out, the original isn't very safe, it's a 2 piece affair. I'm not sure what kind of trigger the Model 51 had. These guns are much better guns than anything you will find new today. Hang onto it, you'll find that it's a great shooter, well made, and those Mauser actions are classic actions, very hard to beat them. The guns are worth much more than what you pay for them, but, because they say "JC Higgins" on the barrel, you can generally get them for a good price. I've seen them advertised for as much as 500, 600 dollars, but I'd never pay that much, even though I think they are worth it.

[JBabcock]

By the way, an original FN Supreme in excellent condition is worth more like 700 to 850 dollars. Those were some of the nicest rifles ever built. Of better or equal to the quality of the Belgium Brownings. Built in the same factory.

[savageT]

JBabcock,
Thanks fpr the confirmation on my sketchy information.  I did find a Store Brand cross-reference chart on Gun Parts Corp site (formerly Numrich), but I did not see a model 51 listed there.

http://www.e-gunparts.com/crossref.asp

Jim

[Rogue Ram]

Congrats on picking up one of the finest hunting rifles ever made for the price.  I inheirited a JCH Model 50 in .30-06 from my dad.  Mom saved all year, and gave it to him for Christmas in 195?  I have the picture of him opening the package, but the picture is packed away.  Cost her $56.00.  Wish she'd have financed a few more and put 'em away!!!

My stock was messed up, so had action bedded into McMillan Fibergrain stock, put Leupold 3x9 on it; with Hornaday Light Magnum 165s it will put 5 shots, one right after the other into well under 1" @100 yds from a bench.

I will try and attach a link that will tell you exactly when yours was built.

Won't attach, here's a link that will answer your questions.

Regards,

RR  

http://highstandard.org/models/private/Sears/SearsCenter.html

[JBabcock]

Thanks for that link.

They are great rifles. Especially when you compare them to a FN Deluxe or Supreme, or even a Belgium Browning of the same time period. The factory FN's and Brownings are nicer, but they cost quite a bit more too. The 270 I have has a Bold trigger set at 3lbs. Leupold VX 1 3X9. It is one of the most accurate sporting rifle I've ever owned, shoots 7/8" groups with most ammo, and better with others, plus it handles like a dream. I used it to take a nice spike elk this year.

[crowspasture]

does it make a difference if it says made in Belgium on the barrel?.
Thank's....

[Rogue Ram]

Crow,

A difference as far as what?    Not sure what you mean.   Mine has the FN logo on the action, says Sears, Roebuck & Co on the barrel. It also has those numbers shown on the website above stamped on the barrel.  Mine is locked up at my office (more secure than this cheesy rental I'm in for the moment), so I can't look for more details.  I think all the 50s had FN actions, maybe the 51s were a 98 made by Husqvarna?  JBabcock?

If its FN it should have the FN stamp on the left side of the action mid-way, I don't think mine says anything about Belgium on the barrel......again, its locked up but I can go look tomorrow if it would help.

RR

[JBabcock]

crowspasture,

If it say's made in Belgium on the barrel, it's probably a commercial FN. I see JC Higgins rifles advertised all of the time in the various gun auctions that are being advertised as having been made by FN for Sears. Thats not true. FN sold the actions to lots of different gun manufacturers. High Standard was one of them. They in turn assembled the guns for Sears, labeled them as "JC Higgins" and Sears then sold them. Your gun says "Made in Belgium" on the barrel. It's most likely a commercial FN. I have a commercial FN Supreme in 30-06 that say's the same thing. It also has the fancy FN crest on the receiver and lots of engraving. The Deluxe models made by FN had the FN crest, but no engraving. These were without doubt some of the finest rifles that were ever assembled. Rust blueing, hand inletted stocks, French Walnut. Very nice rifles. Nearly identical to the Belgium Brownings that command such a high price, in my opinion, the FN's are nicer. To duplicate a commercial FN today would probably cost 2000.00 or more if you were to buy from a manufacturer. Weatherby's are close to 2000.00 for the Mark V, and as much as I like them, they aren't in the same league as these rifles.

That's what makes these JC Higgins rifles so attractive. You are getting a FN action and a barrel that is of pretty good quality judging from the groups mine will shoot. The stock is just a standard piece of walnut, some have some figure, some don't. The inletting is decent too. I swap the triggers on my Model 50's because the original isn't very safe, but, it will work. For 250.00 to 350.00 you get a rifle with Old World craftsmanship. The guns that are made today just aren't made with same quality. I love my Model 70 338 SS Classic, and it shoots awesome, but it is in no way the rifle these JC Higgins rifles are. They compare more closely to the pre-64 Model 70's. And to think, you could buy one for about 60 bucks... :shock:

[JBabcock]

crowpasture,

Does the "Made in Belgium" appear on the barrel, or on the left side of the action?

[crowspasture]

it appears on the left hand side of the action.
it also has the engravings right behind the trigger and on the front portion of the gun(583.100)(model-51) it also says NF action before the made in belgium. nf looks like the yankees logo.