Store Brands-J.C.Higgins-Sears & Roebuck

CZU · Feb 25, 2019

J.C. Higgins model 44DL. I became familiar with these lever action 22 cal rifles a couple years ago when I picked up a Marlin model 57 in 22 Magnum. The Higgins 44 was made by Marlin and this one was probably mfg in the early 60's. I had never heard of the Marlin 57 before and was impressed with the short throw lever action. Loading/ejecting can be done on these without you ever losing your hold on the grip/lever. Drop your three fingers that are in the lever a couple inches and your good to go for the next shot. Since I had the Marlin 57 22 mag I was always on the lookout for the 22 LR model. This Higgins model showed up at the LGS the other day and for a 150 bucks I couldn't let it stay in the rack. Shot it this weekend and there wasn't any disappointment. I need to take it apart and clean it up a bit but other than that it is good to go.

Marlin built these in 22lr, 22mag, 30 carbine, 256 Win mag, and 357 mag.

Jessie · Feb 25, 2019

I’d sure like to check out one of the .357 mags.
Thanks! I had not heard of these and that’s a nice looking .22

The Norseman · Feb 25, 2019

22lr short throw lever release bolt action

Thank you for Sharing and Showing us
pictures of a Neat 22lr Rifle.

Awhile back Edgemont South Dakota Gun
Shop had a Marlin 57 lever action that shoots
22 short/Long/Long Rifle cartridge, probably
negatable Price.

I just though it is the Neatest 22lr Rifle.

Thank you.

inspcalahan · Feb 25, 2019

Definitely some hidden values in those older store guns! I still have my first -a JC Higgins (Sears) 20 gauge pump with adjustable choke. That thing accounted for many, many rabbits, birds and squirrels when I was learning on something bigger than a .22. I need to go find some new springs to freshen her up some and get it back outside. I haven't shot it in over 25 years.

Thanks for bring them back up! Great looking little rifle you have.

2152hq · Feb 25, 2019

These were always quite accurate rifles right off the line.
Aluminum recv's in 22rf and early on in 22Mag (1st yrs prod I think). Then the 22Mag got a steel recvr like the centerfire model.
Center fire was only made in production in 30Carbine and 256Win, though it was cataloged in 22Jet and was supposed to be offered in 357Mag.
The latter two didn't make it to mass production.
A shotgun version made it as far as a couple R&D models.
The original design for the Levermatic was in the form of a shotgun when MArlin bought the rights to it from Kessler Arms.
I guess Amer'ca wasn't ready for a reinvention of the Winchester leveraction shotgun yet.

The 57 is the tube feed 22rf and the most often seen. The 56 is the same rifle but with a detachable box mag feed.

They made these for Sears and Western Auto(?) with their Box Store names & model on them.

About 4 to 5000 of the rifles were made and shipped w/o ser#'s before & after the 68GCA went into effect.
Aside from the very first of the production in the first year,,These 22cal Levermatics were not ser#'d prior to the GCA,,and did not have to be per the Fed law prior to GCA.
It was to save $$ in record keeping, mfg time, ect.
As the newer models came out, the same practice was followed,,no ser#.
That was fine as long as it was in the days before GCA68 AND the rifle was not a centerfire caliber.
Marlin lapsed on both accounts and didn't ser# a large number of rifles after the new law went into effect. Both the 22rf versions now required a ser# and the centerfire rifles did all along.
Marlin struck an agreement re their oops with the Fed to issue a recall (voluntary) to have a ser# applied to those rifles. All at no expense to the owner,,how gracious. That recall was still in effect when Marlin was sold to Rem.

The special list of returned rifles, owners name,ect with a new # applied wasn't too long when I worked there,,but that was only a couple yrs after GCA appeared.
I'm sure lots of owners were quick to send their rifle back for a hand stamped ser# to be applied to the frame.

jrm53 · Feb 25, 2019

I followed J C Higgins for years and I never knew that Marlin made them the lever action, your rifle is neat. I have a Ted Williams model 200 O/U in 20 gauge it is a Winchester 101 also a sears 20 gauge Zoli O/U that I bought new in 1975. Great guns for great people! Jeff

CZU · Feb 25, 2019

For those that might be interested this is the Marlin model 57 in 22 mag. It's an early one, made before the 57M designation that appeared on later models.

gregintenn · Feb 25, 2019

Did they ever actually sell one in 357 mag? I've never seen one....or a 30 carbine either.

CZU · Feb 25, 2019

gregintenn said:
Did they ever actually sell one in 357 mag? I've never seen one....or a 30 carbine either.

A friend who has worked in the lgs business for the last 50 years told me he has owned a couple in 30 carbine but never saw one in 357 mag. 2152hq above said the 357 and jet models never made it to production.

Store Brands-J.C.Higgins-Sears & Roebuck

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