Weatherby Mark XXII Semi-auto .22LR 24″ Autoloader Rifle Mfd 1988

SOLD FOR: $1,320.00

LSB#:  LSB250802JB003

Make: Weatherby

Model: Mark XXII Deluxe

Serial Number: JT54217

Year of Manufacture: 1984-1988

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle 

Action Type: Semi-Auto rifle, Tubular magazine fed

Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “MARK XXII  / U.S. PATENT NO.3.155.004” / “Weatherby ® / SOUTH GATE CALIF. MADE IN JAPAN”.  The left side of the barrel is marked “CALIBER /  “.22 L.R.”. The right side of the receiver is marked “JT54217”.  The rubber buttpad is marked “Weatherby”.   

Barrel Length: 24”

Sights / Optics: The top of the receiver is fitted with a Leupold VARI-IIc variable 2×7 variable scope attached with scope rings to the top of the receiver. The iron front sight is a beaded blade atop a serrated ramp.  The rear iron sight is a flip up “V” notch with a white diamond.    

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a skip-line checkered high-gloss walnut with a fluted monte carlo comb with raised cheekpiece with Ivory spacered and capped pistol grip with ivory diamond inlay. Rifle has a ivory spacered and rosewood capped forearm tip, Weatherby rubber buttpad, and two loops front and rear. The ivory diamond inlay on the pistol grip cap indicates a “Deluxe” model.  The LOP measures approximately 13 5/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the rubber buttpad. There are no chips or cracks. The walnut stock is in Excellent condition with very limited signs of handling wear or wear from use. 

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10. 

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish.  There are minimal signs of storage wear and very limited operational use.  The action is smooth, the screwheads are sharp and all the markings are clear. Overall this rifle is in about Excellent condition.     

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Scope as described above.   

Our Assessment: Roy Weatherby started the Weatherby rimfire ball rolling in 1960. It had a long and angst-filled history. Based loosely on a Beretta design with several Weatherby-guided enhancements, the Mark XXII—as it was cleverly called—was initially built by Beretta in Italy.  Introduced at tradeshows during the winter of 1961–62, the Mark XXII garnered several thousand orders. Eventually, the contract with Beretta was filled but not renewed.  Over the coming decades, manufacturing of the Mark XXII was variously contracted to KGT and Nikko in Japan (1967–80), then in the United States to Mossberg (1979–82), then back to Japan to Howa (1984–88).  Eventually, the Mark XXII was discontinued in 1989, but it was then resurrected in 2007 as a bolt action.  Two versions of the original Mark XXII autoloader were available. One fed via a tubular magazine; the other used a box-type, detachable magazine that held 10 rounds.

This model Mark XXII Deluxe is truly a beautiful piece of craftsmanship with all of the bells and whistles of the more common Weatherby Mark V.  This particular rifle would have been one of the last XXII’s that Weatherby produced in 1988.  The serial number range for the XXII ends at JT54874, just 657 rifles from this serial number.  The .22LR model is perfect for plinking or pursuing small game. Weatherby offers the same exceptional performance in this rifle as their top-of-the-line hunting rifles, making it a valuable addition to any hunter’s or shooter’s arsenal. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and best of luck with your bidding!!!-

BF