Favorite Firearms: A Reminder Of Dad | Mossberg 26B

by
posted on February 28, 2023
Mossberg 26B

This Mossberg 26B bolt-action rifle in .22 caliber belonged to my dad, Robert Elmo Babington. He was born in 1921 and later served as a navy corpsman in Japan and Korea. He had the rifle for as long as I can remember. It has no serial number, and I did some research to find it was manufactured sometime between 1937 and 1941. It shoots the .22 Short, Long and Long Rifle cartridges and also includes a Mossberg Microclick peep sight. At some point, when I was growing up, the firing pin broke. We didn’t have a lot of money, so dad just didn’t shoot it anymore, but he hung onto it.

About the time I got to be in my fifties, I remember he tried to make a firing pin for the rifle from a piece of sheet steel with a hacksaw and a file. He didn’t even have the old one to work from as a model. I am pretty sure our continued economic situation encouraged that, but dad grew up during the Great Depression, and his generation was used to “making do” with the things available. The homemade firing pin did work, but poorly, despite his best efforts.

When he died at 83, back in 2005, I made sure to take possession of the rifle. For several years, I just kept it in my safe. As my economic situation improved, I was able to hunt down and buy replacement parts to restore the rifle, namely an original factory firing pin and safety lever. I shot it a few times, and it functions well. But the most important aspect of the rifle to me is that it is a significant reminder of my dad and one of the most meaningful things left from him that I have. I told my niece about it and hope it will go to her son after I pass.

—Gary Babington

Latest

heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees
heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees

Red Fifty: The Soviet 12.7 mm DShK Heavy Machine Gun

While the Browning .50-cal. M2 machine gun has been unequaled for more than a century, John Moses Browning’s genius design has had one significant 12.7 mm competitor: the Soviet DShK.

Support The NRA Youth Education Summit (YES) On Giving Tuesday

With more than 1,200 students having graduated from the program and over $700,000 in scholarships awarded since 1996, NRA's YES is an immersive leadership program for high school students eager to learn about the foundations of our nation, the importance of civic engagement and the role of the Second Amendment.

Rifleman Review: Remington 360 Buckhammer

Remington Ammunition's 360 Buckhammer is a straight-wall hunting cartridge that's designed to give deer hunters an ideal round for their Midwestern hunt.

New For 2025: EAA Girsan Witness2311 Brat, Match and MatchX

European American Armory Corp. (EAA) introduced an affordable variation of the double-stack 1911 design with their Girsan Witness2311 in 2023, continually adding additional chamberings and slide length options. New for 2025, the company is adding three new versions of the Witness2311 with the Match, MatchX and Brat models.

Review: Citadel Trakr

At less than 4 lbs., this repeating rifle is easy on the back while also being extraordinarily easy on the budget.

Freedom Munitions To Move Ammo Component Production To Idaho

Freedom Munitions has announced it will be consolidating its projectile component production from X-Treme Bullets out of Nevada into its Lewiston, Idaho, facilities.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.