WARDS WESTERN FIELD 80

Overview

The Wards Western Field Model 80 is a vintage, slide-action (pump-action) rimfire rifle sold by Montgomery Ward as a house brand. It is a rebranded Savage Model 29, manufactured by Savage Arms between 1929 and the late 1960s.Key Specifications & DesignAction Type: Slide/pump-action with a visible take-down screw for easy cleaning and transport.Caliber: Chambered for .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 Long Rifle (.22 S-L-LR).Ammunition Feed: Tubular magazine mounted underneath the barrel.Barrel Variants:Pre-WWII models generally feature a 22-inch or 24-inch octagonal barrel.Post-WWII models transitioned into standard round barrels.Stock & Furniture: Features a walnut pistol-grip stock and a grooved pump slide handle. Pre-WWII variants occasionally featured factory checkering depending on the specific retailer run.Sights: Built with standard open iron sights, though many collectors outfit them with period-accurate tang or peep sights.Collector & Operating NotesBecause the earliest variations use the original Savage Model 29 action, the receiver design is not optimized for modern high-velocity rimfire ammunition. Collectors strongly advise using only standard-velocity or target .22 LR ammunition to prevent premature wear on the internal mechanism and locking blocks.