572 Fieldmaster "Gallery Special" .22 Short?

[mtlago]

Hello,
I have a question for anybody in the know on the 572s. I had a customer bring in a 572 Fieldmaster. The gun looked pretty "normal" and in good shape (probably 95% or so). The date code of "OZ" puts it at about July, 1975 (if I am reading the chart correctly). It appears to be a birch stock rather than walnut. The gun appears to be in original condition, but I can't find anything about the rifle in the book. The receiver appears to be "standard", but the barrel is marked:
"GALLERY SPECIAL"
"22 SHORT ONLY"
I don't think he wants to sell it, but he wanted some information and possible a value. Does anybody know anything about this rifle? Thanks.

Sincerely,
Kevin Lake

[John Gyde]

Wow, you think you've seen them all, then...

I don't believe Rem ever cataloged a 572 in 22 short only. Could it be a M/552 barrel that has been installed? My bet is yes... If so, it should say "Gallery Special" then "22 short only" (2 lines). This stamp is immediately in front of the rear sight. Towards the muzzle it should have a patent #, then "others pending" (2 line stamp). These stampings are from a 1965 rifle, but they should be similar on one made later. Maybe additional patent #s would be on a later barrel...

The barrel code date you mention is exactly at the end of the M/552 22 GS rifles. They were last advertised in 1977 and discontinued in 1978.

[mtlago]

Hello,
Thanks for the input. I will try and get a photo next week sometime. It may be a barrel off of another rifle, but I suspect it was installed at the factory. The gun does not look like it has been refinished, and it looks like the gun is "factory". Would Remington have installed a barrel like this from the factory? The barrel is similar to what you described. Two lines, "Gallery Special" ".22 Short Only" Then the normal "Remington" roll mark, and finally all the patent dates. I will get photos next week, and can e-mail them directly if you would like. Thanks for the help.

Sincerely,
Kevin Lake

[John Gyde]

It sure sounds like a 552 barrel. Would Rem install it at the factory? Who knows what they would do, but most probably not... Since there would be no documentation that the barrel wasn't added later, the value wouldn't increase significantly. There are no factory records that document the production of individual firearms.

[remington600]

Your only challenge to putting a 552 barrel on a 572 is to not scratch it so it would be pretty easy to make it look factory. I have to agree with John. It sounds like a barrel swap.

[John Gyde]

If the owner had the original box that would document a true 572 Gallery Special the game (and value) would change significantly.

[mtlago]

Hello,
I will check to see if he has a box. Is there a way to tell when the gun was made by the serial number? I would think that the barrel and the serial number should be close in time frame if it is original. Are the patent numbers on the 552 barrel the same as would be on a 572 barrel? Has anyone got a good photo of a 552 barrel that I could compare to? I will try and get some photos on Monday. Thanks.

Sincerely,
Kevin Lake

kevin@electriccitygun.com