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I have a .22 pump-action rifle (above) that belonged to my father. It’s a Savage Model 29-A from the Savage Arms Corporation of Utica, New York. The serial number is 55348L. I’m hoping you can help me determine the rifle’s age, history and possible value (not that I would ever sell it). Thank you so much for your time. I appreciate any information you can provide.

STEWART GRAHAM

FLIN FLON, MANITOBA

The Savage 29 was a popular, very well made .22 rifle. It was manufactured from 1929 to 1967. Models from before the Second World War had an octagon barrel and checkered pistol grip, while post-war models such as yours had a round barrel and plain pistol grip. I can’t find detailed year-by-year production records, but the serial numbers reached 23500 by the year 1945. Based on its serial number, I estimate your rifle was therefore made around the mid-1950s. The demand for all types of sporting firearms was very high after the war and through the 1950s.

Currently, there is not a lot of collector interest in this model, though I think it is slowly growing. From what I can see in the photos, your rifle isn’t rusted or pitted, but there is little remaining original finish on the receiver. Its value is probably in the range of $200 to $300. Any potential buyer would most likely be an old-timer like me who appreciates machined steel and walnut stocks, but there are fewer and fewer of us every year!