Everyone should have one of these 22's!

[Tesoro]

A real Chipmunk 22lr! This one was made on contract in the 80's by an old time gunsmith in a small town (Prospect Ore By Crater lake), for the original Oregon Arms Chipmunk guys out of Medford, Ore. Great barrel, wood, fitment, inletting, bluing and it shoots an easy inch at 50yds. I had the bolt worked over and trigger smoothed to 2.5#.I am going to 'benchrest it' one of the days so see what it can really do.
It weighs 2lbs 11oz with the old weaver 4x. I shoot it just fine with the tip of the butt on my shoulder. Its a pleasure to pack around when takin a hike using the 2 finger carry method. Or I stick it in my pack. I carry it instead of my 22 pistol because I like to hit what I am shooting at. I also use it for a grouse gun and lays on my truck dash pad infront of the steering wheel.
Make your first shot count! If anyone ever wants one I find them from time as I live where they were made. Have found a few new in box from the 80's.
In comparison to the new Keystone Chipmunk ..well there is no comparison!

 

[snert]

dang, that's cute

 

[jds holler]

Aww heck, I'd love to have one of those. I live about sixty miles south of Crater Lake, and I never new that these were made in the area.

It's kind of coincidental, I was shooting squirrels today with a similar 22; a slender little BSA, bolt action with similar cocking knob on the bolt.

I had spent a couple hours and a few hundred rounds blowing the critters to smithereens with the 22 BR, and 20-222. After that, I went to a different spot where the squirrels were un-molested, and used the old English bolt action to plink a bunch more into the great beyond. That rifle has pretty good open sights, and my success was surprising. That little chippie that you've got would have been great. jd

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Id love to have one of those for my little daughter. I was going to buy her one of the cheapos not long ago but i held off. That would teach her the importance of a loving wood stock

 

[Billinoregon]

The originals really were well made.
I believe the guy who developed this rifle came to a sad end -- possibly homicide. I remember seeing a photo of a law enforcement officer carrying an armload of confiscated rifles -- many of them flintlocks -- from his house in Prospect. Memory banks aren't yielding more data, but the Mail Tribune archives would have this story. I was an editor there at the time.
Tesoro, is that you from Ifish? Bill Rogue V. here.

 

[Tesoro]

Yup that me form Ifish! I did some research a while back on the history of the chipmunk. It was a great marketing concept which really should have happened 20 years before its time.

I will have to find my notes but do remember talking to the sister of the founder when I was trying to put all the pieces together. It was a sad whisky and guns story so I couldnt get much out of her other than the name of the daughter who worked at a local bar.

Anyhow the first ones were made in the Medford area in the mid 80's and then the founder partnered up and moved shop to Prospect until the mid 90's. I dont know if there was a quality change after the move. The company was then sold and production started up in Idaho still under the Oregon Arms/Chipmunk name until it was sold again to the auctioneer/businessman who makes the Cricketts. Or something like that.

There were some deluxe grades made locally with milled trigger guards and nice wood. I found a link to the the barrel supplier who had a good reputation for his work. I should follow up on him and put together the full story of this neat little rifle company. There isnt anything out right now but just snippets on forums.

I believe that the majority of the production was shipped to gun shops throughout the us so probably get better luck finding a nice example on armslist in ohio than locally. I cant guess how many were made but the barrel maker might be the best lead on that.

 

[akajun]

My grandmother bought one of these for each grandchild back in the 80’s
Me and my brother still have ours and I have taught all three of my boys basic marksmanship with it.
They are very well made and accurate. If I don’t have 10 k rounds through mine I don’t have one.
I can’t tell you how many squirrels , snakes , and turtles fell to the old chipmunk.

 

[Gr8ful]

I have 2 rhat I bought used fot my sons now 28 & 30. I also bought a Stevens collection with 11 boys rifle like the 141/2 & some older, look & shoot great. A lot of fun. The Chipmunks are walnut & look like tiny deer rifles. I bought them used so I bet they are originals. Very fine quality. Bought a new sawmill at Medford.

 

[Tesoro]

The Chipmunks are walnut & look like tiny deer rifles.

Like for shooting fawns?!

 

[jds holler]

I know a guy who grew up in Prospect. I'm gonna have to pump him to see if he knows anything about the story. I'm more intrigued all the time. jd

 

[Tesoro]

I will talk to the fellow I know who collected them and post my findings. he knew quite a bit also. By the time we are all done we will have turned these things into collector items!!

 

[jds holler]

By the time we are all doe we will have turned these things into collector items!!

I wouldn't worry about that. It is my experience that most folks aren't the least bit interested in the stuff that I think is cool. I'm pretty sure that I'm gonna have to be dead before I'll be popular. jd

 

[Tesoro]

Well if you get buried with your prospect chipmunk you wont have to worry about grave robbers...

 

[jds holler]

Well if you get buried with your prospect chipmunk you wont have to worry about grave robbers...

I don't dwell on it a lot, but my "after dead" plans are to be cremated and used as case filler for guys who otherwise might use Cream of Wheat. Just want to stay in the shooting game as long as possible. jd

 

[Tesoro]

I want to be used for sandbag filler so I can spend eternity at a range.