Cooey 'Ranger' Identification

Thirsty_Fox

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Eastern Ontario
I recently picked up a "Ranger .22 CAL" that appears to be a Cooey model 75 single shot with a 26" barrel.

I'm wondering if anyone has any idea of the background of this model. I suspect it was branded as "Ranger" to be sold at some outlet (or generically). No serial number on it so I think it would be pre-1960s. It has a metal buttplate.

Thanks!



 
I have one.
I'm in my late sixties, and my Grandfather bought one of these and gave it to my Father when he went into Basic Training at Camp Borden (late 1943, I think). The story goes that if you provided your own rifle, you could get extra ammo to practice with. My Father gave it to me when I turned 15, and it took many rabbits. I am passing it on to my son to enjoy; he has a seven year old son that will get it eventually. It started out as a $10 rifle ---- that has become priceless............................
 
I’ve heard that the ranger was the Sears brand. But what do I know I’m a guy on the internet. It looks in good shape.

Could well be. If it's Sears, that would likely put it somewhere between 1952 and the mid 60s I think.


I have one.
I'm in my late sixties, and my Grandfather bought one of these and gave it to my Father when he went into Basic Training at Camp Borden (late 1943, I think). The story goes that if you provided your own rifle, you could get extra ammo to practice with. My Father gave it to me when I turned 15, and it took many rabbits. I am passing it on to my son to enjoy; he has a seven year old son that will get it eventually. It started out as a $10 rifle ---- that has become priceless............................

That's a great story. Very nice to have one that can be passed down through the generations like that.

I don't think this is a Model 82 though as that has the full length stock, slightly longer barrel, and hooded/adjustable front sight. Most likely a Model 75 from what I can tell, although the branding makes me think it could be a variation on it.
 
The wood stock is made up of 2 pieces held on by a barrel band and the "hooded"sight. (it's actually wings that protect the front sight) . Mine has the same "Ranger" marking as yours. Most model 82's don't have the full length stock any more. People removed them and re-finished the forend so they weren't quite so heavy.
 
Peep sight was added, and drilled and tapped for a scope.
And the bolt was "re-worked" 'cause it didn't work.........it does now.
I'm think what you have is a model 82.
But whatever it is ---- shoot it, enjoy it, they are a piece of Canadianna.
 
Thirsty_Fox

This is out of the Cooey Firearms book by John Belton.

Ranger.22 Cal

Early pre WWII transition type from Eatonia marked house brand made by Cooey for the T. Eaton Co Ltd.
Cooey/Eaton contracts started started around the mid 1920"s

That's all there is on the pre war models.
It is not a Model 82.

Hope that helps.
 
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As Husky Dude pointed out, the Ranger model was the store brand for Eatons after the Eatonia name. Using that style of "whale belly" stock was the model 75 and 78 (Cooey designations). The model 82 indeed was also available with that style of stock as opposed to the full wood version.
 

That looks immaculate! What a great piece. Thank you for sharing those photos.

That's quite interesting how the front stock and sight hood is a modular, added to the base rifle.

On my "Ranger", the front of the stock doesn't look like it would combine with the front piece... it's very smooth and rounded, and the front swivel is where the band would go around.
 
Thirsty_Fox

This is out of the Cooey Firearms book by John Belton.

Ranger.22 Cal

Early pre WWII transition type from Eatonia marked house brand made by Cooey for the T. Eaton Co Ltd.
Cooey/Eaton contracts started started around the mid 1920"s

That's all there is on the pre war models.
It is not a Model 82.

Hope that helps.

As Husky Dude pointed out, the Ranger model was the store brand for Eatons after the Eatonia name. Using that style of "whale belly" stock was the model 75 and 78 (Cooey designations). The model 82 indeed was also available with that style of stock as opposed to the full wood version.

Hmm that is very interesting. So it could be pre/during-WWII made for Eatons, probably in the late 30s / early 40s (if it was after the "Eatonia" branding)? From what I can tell, the "Eatonia .22 CAL" was based on the Cooey Ace (ealiest models with fixed V rear sights, some with pop-up aperture sight). I think the Model 75 came out in 1939, which this looks quite like (ramp rear sight, no aperture sight cut). I wonder how long the "Ranger .22 CAL" was made beyond that.

Thanks again for all the input! Definitely have to keep my eye out for a Model 82 with the full wood stock and aperture sights.
 
Here's my two 82's.
Really should take a better picture.

1zLmLIO.jpg
 
Here's my two 82's.
Really should take a better picture.

1zLmLIO.jpg

Couple of beautes! Mine does look like the upper one, only without the peep sight / cutout for peep sight... but I've read they can be had without the peep sight, as well.

But then that also looks just like a 75 to me. Would the 26" barrel suggest the Model 75? As I've seen some postings with that configuration. From what I can tell, the 82 has a 27" barrel. I'm measuring mine to where the bullet would sit in the chamber, not right to the barrel face in the action. Not sure which is correct, but that would add another ~1" if I'm doing it incorrectly.
 
Quick Update:

Took it out to the range today (along with another 22 I was checking the scope sighting on).

Put about 25 rounds through it and it functioned beautifully. The trigger is smoother and lighter than I was expecting, though still with that long and mushy throw. Going to have to bench it for some accuracy tests at some point.
 
Ranger was without question the name used on Cooeys sold through EATONS.
We still have Dad's first rifle he ordered through Eaton's when he was about 14 years old. And It is one of the first "Ranger" marked Cooey 75's.
Just previous to that time the Eaton's rifles were called "Eatonia" but the name gradually changed to "Ranger" (in the exact script pictured by Thirsty Fox above) around about 1937.
I actually have copies of old Eaton's catalogs listing the exact rifle Thirsty Fox has.
Eaton's also sold the Model 82 and of course the old 39.


Simpson's store on the other hand sold Cooeys under the name "SureShot" and I have one of those myself (which is a Cooey 75 as well).
 
I should add...
The 75 appears to have been first produced around 1939 or possibly 1938 as stated above.
At that time however it did NOT have the "whale belly stock". Dad's rifle has the same straight style of stock used on the 39 at that time.
I've been trying to find exactly when the change to the "whale belly" occurred but the most I can say on that is it was probably post-WW2. Probably following the design of the 82 stock.
Interestingly... the SureShot 75 I have from Simpson's, which I believe to be from the late 50's or very early 60's, has the straight non whale bellied stock again.
I also have a couple of 82's with the Cooey peep sights and an 82 with the regular sights
Cooey also made the 78, which was a 75 with the flat spot milled off the back of the barrel and peep sights installed. I don't have one of those but wish I did.
All 75's, 78's, and 82's used the 27 inch barrel with only real difference being whether that flat spot was milled out or not. And the name roll stamped in of course.

Cooeys were about the most under rated, highly accurate and high quality steel barrels out there. Dad was absolutely deadly with his.
Someone once told me they had never seen a "shot out" Cooey barrel. Neither have I.
 
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I have the model 78 with the whale belly stock. Mine has the rear peep sight as well as a target front sight. I also have the earlier version with the regular type stock. Also have the model 62 with target front sight and rear peep sight with second aperture, one for hunting and one for target.
 
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