The bottom rifle is half of this pair.
Both were sold from SA within a month of each other to a Mr. White from Cleveland. They then went to Hart Arms in Cleveland to be built into matching sporting rifles. I suspect the scopes were added at a later date. I suspect the stock maker was either Dubiel or Rodgers. Rodgers did not develop many of his unique touches until later in his career. His early stocks are indistinguishable from a Dubiel to me. Keep in mind they both worked at Hoffman before they moved to Ardmore. Dubiel went with them to Oklahoma, while Rodgers opened up his own shop on the family farm in Slippery Rock PA until Arthur Hart convinced him to come to work for him. It was at this time that Rodgers developed his unique style. I believe there was a lot of sharing of work between Hart and Hoffman while they were both in Ohio. These are both engraved Hart Arms Cleveland on the top of the barrel in fancy script.
Both shoot very well. I've stuck a bore scope down a lot of these old rifles, and most show there age and show signs of previous rust. The bore on this 1922 is an exception. It looks like brand new. Absolutely no sign of rust or pitting and you can clearly see the machining and rifling marks from manufacturing. It is quickly becoming one of my favorite squirrel rifles.
The White family from Cleveland owned the White Motor Company. At one time they produced 10 percent of all trucks sold in the US. I have not dug enough to prove it, but I suspect Mr white who had these rifles built was from the same White family.
Regards,
John
