WEATHERBY MARK XXII CLIP MAG OR TUBE FEED SEMI-AUTO Description
.22 LR cal., mag. feed, skip-line checkered walnut stock with or without rosewood forend and pistol grip cap, clip models have 5 or 10 shot detachable mag., 24 in. barrel, open V rear fold down sight, grooved alloy receiver, all XXIIs had a right side lever that allowed changing from semi-auto to single shot, tube feed model weighs approx. 6 lbs., 10 oz., clip model weighs 5 lbs., 13 oz. Approx. 100,000 mfg. 1964-1988.
These guns were made 1964-1988. There were 81,618 clip fed models made and 28,017 tube fed models made. The first tube feed models were made by Nikko in 1973, and the last tube feed models were made by Howa in 1988. During that period of time, there were more tube feed models than clip fed models manufactured.
During this time, the type and quality of the wood and finish, rosewood spacers, safety, side lever, rear sight, bolt, trigger, floorplate design, magazines, and magazine release were just some of the many changes that occurred during this manufacturing period. Because of these variations and what a given buyer may find desirable, prices could fluctuate approx. 10%-50%, depending on what features have become more desirable today. A slight premium may be asked for U.S. mfg. Weatherby Mark XXII.
A Weatherby Mark XXII 4x50 scope was also marketed with these .22 cal rifles. The scope was made in Japan. It is a 4x28mm and not 4x50mm. The 4x was the magnification power. The 50 was a measure of the relative brightness or light gathering capabilities and not the diameter of the objective lens. If new in original box with papers the value is approx. $275. If used in good condition with original box, the value is approx. $200. If used without box, the value is approx. $75 to $150 (depending upon condition).
This model was originally mfg. in Italy by Beretta 1964-1971 (no letter prefix to the serial numbers). From 1967 to 1971 Beretta added a rosewood forend tip and pistol grip cap to the stock. Next was KTG-Japan 1967-1971 "J" serial number prefix. KTG and Beretta XXIIs were the only ones to have the desirable trigger pull adjustment screw in front of the trigger guard. Target shooters are finding these guns to be excellent "shooters" (especially when using the single shot mode). As a result, there has been an increased interest and price over the past year for the Beretta and KTG made XXIIs. Next was Nikko-Japan 1972-1980 with "N" serial number prefix for the clip model and "T" prefix for the tube feed model. Nikko was the first one to make the tube feed models and the first to have laser checkering, which is desired by some collectors as well as wood spacers between the stock and rosewood and the improved rear sight that folds down. Next was Mossberg USA 1981-1982 with serial number prefix "AC" for clip and "AT" for the tube feed model. About 1,300 were made by Mossberg and prices for 98% condition or better are selling for over $1,000. Next and last was Howa Japan 1984-1988 with serial number prefix "JC" for clip and "JT" for tube. The Weatherby Mark XXII .22 cal. semi-auto or single shot rifle was marketed for a stylish appearance and most buyers took good care of these guns and as a result, it is common to find these guns in 95% condition or better. In recent years, there has been a wide difference between the "advertised prices" and the "actual selling prices". More sellers are realizing how to price the gun to sell based on which features are more desirable.