J. C. Higgins
From 1908 until 1962, Sears, Roebuck & Company sold a wide variety of sporting goods and recreational equipment, including bicycles, golf clubs, rifles, shotguns, and revolvers under the brand name "J. C. Higgins." These products were well made and were popular with the company's historical core of rural and working-class consumers.
Like many other Sears products, the Sears firearms were originally made by major firearm manufacturers. The Model 20 was produced by High Standard Arms, as was the Model 88 revolver.
The J.C. Higgins brand for Sears sporting goods was replaced with the Ted Williams brand. Many of the more durable J.C. Higgins products are still available as second hand items.
The brand name, J. C. Higgins, was based on a real person, John Higgins who was a Sears employee. He moved from his birth country of Ireland to the United States in his late teens and began working for Sears in 1898. He spent his entire working career with Sears and was Vice President for the company for a period of time. He was actually born with no middle name but the Sears Co. presented the idea of labeling their sporting good line with his name and saw it more presentable labeling the brand as J.C. Higgins. He worked with the company until his retirement as head bookkeeper in 1930. Higgins died in 1950. His expertise in sporting goods or sports is unknown.
List of J.C. Higgins Firearms:
J.C. Higgins Model 101.1, a break-action shotgun made by Savage, Model 94.
J.C. Higgins Model 101.24, a bolt-action .22 LR made by Savage, Model 15-120.
J.C. Higgins Model 102.25, a pump-action shotgun made by the J Stevens Arms Co, Model 520A (1946–47)
J.C. Higgins Model 20, a pump-action shotgun manufactured by High Standard, Model 200.
J.C. Higgins Model 36 Auto, a semi automatic 22 LR made by High Standard, Model 34.
J.C. Higgins Model 36 Bolt, a bolt action 22 LR made by Marlin, Model 80.
J.C. Higgins Model 42DLM, a magazine-fed .22WMR bolt-action rifle, manufactured by Marlin, Model 80.
J.C. Higgins Model 50, a bolt action rifle with a commercial FN Mauser action and a chrome lined barrel from High Standard. Made in 270 and 30-06.
J.C. Higgins Model 51, same as the Model 50 with a fancier checkered stock with cheekpiece.
J.C. Higgins Model 51L, a bolt action centerfire rifle with a Husqvarna action.
J.C. Higgins Model 52 a bolt action 22 Hornet made by Sako, Model L46.
J.C. Higgins Model 60, A semi automatic Shotgun Manufactured by High Standard, (unsure of exact model)
J.C. Higgins Model 85, a semi automatic 22 LR pistol, manufactured by Manufacture D'Armes Des Pyrennes (MAPF). Also sold as Unique Model D-2 and Wards Westernfield Model 5
J.C. Higgins Model 88, a revolver manufactured by High Standard.
External links
J.C. Higgins 12ga. Bolt Action Shotgun Model 153 maker unknown