POTD: Better Than a Red Ryder? – The Hamilton No. 27
Sam.S 10.25.23
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The Hamilton No. 27 boy’s rifle was the classic cheap American kid’s gun for decades (right behind the good ol Daisy obviously). The Hamilton Rifle Company started churning them out in 1906, and would eventually make over half a million by the time production ended in 1930. The No. 27 retailed for an incredible price under $3 thanks to thoughtful manufacturing techniques. Using stamped and formed sheet metal parts kept costs super low compared to traditional forged receivers and barrels. But the 16-inch brass barrel and simple stamped steel receiver still made for a reliable .22 plinker, as long as you stuck to standard velocity shorts and longs.
With its gracefully slender lines and diminutive form factor, the humble No. 27 had some real style too. It captured the imagination of generations of farm kids and budding entrepreneurs dreaming of frontier adventures. Though many ended up worn out from heavy use and abuse over the years, the No. 27 holds a special place for countless American boys who got their start on one. It represented freedom, responsibility, and a bridge to manhood. The popularity and legacy of the economical yet capable Hamilton No. 27 is a testament to its timeless appeal as the quintessential youth rifle.
Lot 1017: Four Rifles – D) Hamilton No. 27 Single Shot Rifle. (n.d.-p). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved October 24, 2023, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/2028/1017/four-rifles.
