J.C. Higgins Model 101.23 .22 S/L/LR Bolt-Action Rifle – WWII-Era Sears Private-Label Rimfire, 24-Inch Barrel, Detachable 10-Round Magazine
This J.C. Higgins Model 101.23 is a WWII-era bolt-action rimfire rifle produced for Sears by Savage between 1939 and 1943. As the store-brand counterpart to the Savage Model 85, it offers interchangeable .22 Short, Long, and Long Rifle capability, a detachable 10-round magazine, and receiver factory-drilled and tapped for an aperture sight. Its pre-1968 production means it carries no serial number, making it a scarce and collectible example of early American department-store firearms.
Condition
Overall Condition: Poor condition.
Bore Condition: Fair – Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Rifling: Fair Rifling – Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
The rifle remains functional. There is widespread blemishing and scratching, and the blued finish shows noticeable loss. The trigger shoe exhibits significant play.
What’s Included
- J.C. Higgins Model 101.23 rifle
- One detachable stamped-steel 10-round magazine (curved profile)
Built by Savage for Sears under the J.C. Higgins brand, this Model 101.23 mirrors the mechanics of the Savage Model 85 yet carries its own branding and markings. Production occurred only for a brief window during the World War II years, adding to its collectibility.
The 24-inch carbon-steel barrel is chambered for .22 Short, Long, and Long Rifle cartridges, giving shooters flexibility for plinking, small-game hunting, or casual target work. The detachable 10-round magazine was an advanced feature for an affordable rimfire of the era.
A blade front sight pairs with an adjustable U-notch rear leaf, and the receiver is factory-drilled and tapped to accept an aperture sight without gunsmithing. These sighting options make the rifle adaptable to different shooting preferences.
The hardwood stock offers a 14-inch length of pull, while the blued carbon-steel metalwork reflects period manufacturing. Though cosmetically worn, the rifle’s core components remain serviceable, preserving a functional snapshot of mid-century American rimfire design.
Pre-1968 production means the rifle bears no serial number, a characteristic valued by collectors of vintage Sears and Savage firearms.