Evolution of a Levergun

[JimT]

Erma Werke in Germany was a large firearms manufacturer in WWII. After the war they designed and produced sporting arms including the EG71 "Wagonmaster" lever action .22 rimfire rifle.

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From 1973 to 1978 Ithaca Gun Company began importing the Erma .22 lever action into the USA and called it the Model 72. Erma also imported the same rifle into the USA through the 1990's but called it the Model EG-712.

2.ithaca.jpg

In 1998 Erma went bankrupt. The Erma (their own as well as those made for Ithaca) were a smooth-action, good shooting rifle. Erma's economic problems were partially due to their marketing.

The Henry H001 and the Rossi Rio Bravo are the same basic rifle as the Erma. I believe Henry has made some internal improvements. I am not sure about the Rossi.
Rossi

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Rossi Rio Bravo

4.rossi-rio-bravo-lever-action-22-lr-rifle-f.jpg

Henry H001

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Exploded View - Ithaca

View - Ithaca_72LeverAction_schem.jpg

Exploded View - Henry

View -HenryRepeatingArms_SeriesH001_schem.jpg

[Ray]

https://www.alloutdoor.com/2015/08/04/i ... -treasure/

I remember a lot of kids in the '70s had the Ithaca model 49 saddle carbine. It looked externally like a conventional levergun but it was actually a diving-block single-shot similar to a martini. Otasco stores carried them and would sell them "layaway" for Christmas with $5 down and $2 weekly installments for a total of thirty something.

Sears & Roebuck version.....

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns- ... =100572696

George Wallace.....kid you not ! That was/is his name..... had an ithaca lever-actuated .410 single that everybody coveted. It differed from the model 66s that are pictured online today. George's had an internal , not exposed hammer that must have been cocked when using the lever to break it open.

[Tycer]

Thanks Jim,
I appreciated this when you posted it. I had some time yesterday and went to a lgs to fondle some steel. Got to function several 22s. One was an Ithaca. The Henry seems smoother. Bought it. I do like aesthetically that Henry now uses a dovetailed mag hanger instead of the barrel band.

[Walt]

Decades ago I had an Erma copy of a Luger in .22 lr. It was quite unreliable and I didn't keep it long.

[JimT]

Thank you! The Henry's are pretty slick. I bought one for my grand-daughter. It will feed the Colibri "silent" loads .. the ones with the little 29 gr. pellet for a bullet. Feeds as slick as the full-size Long Rifles.

[gamekeeper]

My first leveraction was a Erma .22lr it was reliable and a accurate little rifle and served me well when I was gamekeeping. I would have no hesitation in buying a Henry H001.

[.45colt]

We have the Henry H001 Youth model here for the Grandkids to shoot. I can find no fault in it. It won't be long and I will have one in .22 mag.

[samsi]

My little Sis has a Henry for a barnyard gun, it's the only one I have ever used but seems pretty decent. I've never been able to talk myself into one since the Winchester 9422 ruined me for anything else as a kid.

Funny, like Tycer I stopped at a local shop yesterday and they had an Ithaca 49 on the rack. I was going to ask to see it, but then I spied an OM Single Six convertible in nice shape on the bottom of the case. Guess what came home with me.

[barbarossa]

I had an Ithaca 49 when I was young and killed many of rabbits with it.

[JimT]

then I spied an OM Single Six convertible in nice shape on the bottom of the case. Guess what came home with me.

GOOD CATCH!

[Bill in Oregon]

The Henrys look and feel great when cycling the action. I wish they used steel for the receivers, though. Wonder if the Rossis are steel or alloy.
I remember seeing ads for the Ithaca 49s in Boy's Life. Wanted one.

[Ysabel Kid]

I was walking around a gun show back with Y2K when he was around 4 or 5 years old. He had already watched "True Grit" with me a bunch of times. We came across a table with Henry rifles, and he spied one with the big loop. "Look Daddy - Rooster's rifle!"

You know the rest. It came home with us. Really nice little shooter, too.

So, my .22 leveraction growing up was a Marlin Model 39, so please excuse my ignorance. Weren't the Erma, Rossi, and Henry's all derived from the Browning .22 leveractions?

[44shooter]

So, my .22 leveraction growing up was a Marlin Model 39, so please excuse my ignorance. Weren't the Erma, Rossi, and Henry's all derived from the Browning .22 leveractions?

I don’t think so. They look outwardly similar, but the BL-22 is a tiny action with a really short stroke, as in open and close your hand short. The Henry is nice, but IMO both the Marlin and Browning (and probably the Winchester 9422) are quite a bit better quality and far as fit and finish.

[FLINT]

Top is my dad's first rifle - Ithaca 49
bottom is my sons first rifle - Henry youth

both are very handy little rifles

I actually won a 4H shoot one time with that Ithaca 49.

[gamekeeper]

The story I have heard is that the lever action .22 Erma and designed by Louis Imperato, father of Anthony (of Henry Arms) Louis Imperato, after Erma went bust he bought the rights and that's how Henry repeating arms came to be.

[JimT]

The story I have heard is that the lever action .22 Erma and designed by Louis Imperato, father of Anthony (of Henry Arms) Louis Imperato, after Erma went bust he bought the rights and that's how Henry repeating arms came to be.

I had heard that also ... I don't remember where I heard it though ... but it was quite long time ago.

[Griff]

It's my understanding that Louis Imperato was president of Iver Johnson in the seventies & imported the Erma designed & built 22 levergun. As well as importing some other European produced firearms. He was also the owner of the Black Powder Firearms Company that did the finish work on the Colt "F" Series under contract to Colt and the later 3rd gen or "Signature Series" black powder pistols under Colt license.

[gamekeeper]

It's my understanding that Louis Imperato was president of Iver Johnson in the seventies & imported the Erma designed & built 22 levergun. As well as importing some other European produced firearms. He was also the owner of the Black Powder Firearms Company that did the finish work on the Colt "F" Series under contract to Colt and the later 3rd gen or "Signature Series" black powder pistols under Colt license.

I would assume that if Louis Imperato really did design that leveraction rifle Henry Repeating Arms would state that in every advertisement.

[Griff]

It's my understanding that Louis Imperato was president of Iver Johnson in the seventies & imported the Erma designed & built 22 levergun. As well as importing some other European produced firearms. He was also the owner of the Black Powder Firearms Company that did the finish work on the Colt "F" Series under contract to Colt and the later 3rd gen or "Signature Series" black powder pistols under Colt license.

I would assume that if Louis Imperato really did design that leveraction rifle Henry Repeating Arms would state that in every advertisement.

Known to toot their own horn, Not being shy, I agree with you.