Just for Fun: Gun found in a Wall...

[Oceans64]

This was found in 1950/1, in a wall, in an old farm house my g-gpa was living in in Newton WA.  Why would someone put a 10 yo gun in a wall? My imagination is going wild    

How do you research a gun?

From the patent #'s age about 1938-1941.  Value is $75-100.  J Stevens ArmsSpringfield Model 15 Patent 2173576

[regularjoe2]

Hard to say how come someone walled-up a gun ;

Folks have been known to put stuff in walls , sometimes because they weren't .... ummm ... theirs ...

[sapphire]

Trying to hide incriminating evidence?   

[talesofthesevenseas]

It would be interesting to contact the Newton Police Dept to see if there were any old records relating to that serial number. However if it did turn out that it was used in a serious crime, it is possible that they may have to confiscate it.

This is cool, I love hearing stories about hidden antiques!

[KC]

Chances are statue of limitations is up and they wouldn't confiscate it anyway....most likely couldn't prove it.

However, if it was stolen and the serial numbers were recorded....

Would be interesting to know what wall!  Due to kids being in homes...it has been known that guns were put in walls with a thin board or thin-set over it by the bedside....out of reach of kids....but easy enough to get to in case it was needed.  (Weirder things happen!)

[fancypants]

Cool little .22 , Oceans64 .

Lots of the Mod. 15's were produced , many/most without individual serial numbers , making research very difficult on a particular weapon .

These were very common .22 rifles , used for varmits , target shooting/training & small game hunting ; many of these were purchased as a boys' first gun .

Sears , 'Monkey'-Wards , J.C. Pennys were among the many vendors of these small-bore rifles .

One in really excellent shape can fetch around $100 , or even a bit more to a specific collector .... those that have become fairly well 'used' (and loose) tend to range as low as $25 .
Around my neck-o'-the-woods used & functional ones go for around $40-$60 .

[Oceans64]

I asked my Dad - It was in barn walled up with wood so I would say it was on purposes.  I could understand stuff getting set down and a big sheet of drywall getting placed over.  I am almost sure I have lost a few tools that way when  friends & family were helping.  

Was able to find the address so I am going to look up the former homeowner if I can.

KC is probably right tho hiding it from the kids...  Altho I do come from the land of DB Cooper...  I don't think he had a rifle when he jumped tho  LOL

Thanks Fancy!  My Dad has it now and ever since he found it.  That's kinda what I was thinking it was used for...  Little boys and little animals.  Let's hope so anyway.

22's really aren't that powerful are they?  Not your crime-doer's gun of choice...

[fancypants]

Oceans64 , .22's are the chosen weapon of the Mossad for whackin' people ... so they're considered quite deadly (Robert Kennedy was murdered with a .22) .

Before alot of game laws came into effect , many folks in rural climes would hunt & kill deer with .22's , as well as slaughtering livestock as large as cows .

One more thought , about the formerly hiddden status of the weapon : perhaps it was taken away (forever) from a lad who'd mis-used it .

A firearm is a firearm , any way you slice it & all of them should be considered potentially deadly , IMO !