From what I see it's a No. 53 "SPRINGFIELD JUNIOR" OF THE "1931 improved design" as show in Stevens catalog No 58 chambered for 22 S, L & LR Regular or Hi-Speed Cartridges. Hi-Speed 22 loads were introduced about 1931 and not all 22's could handle them, today we call 'Regular' cartridges 'Standard Velocity'. The 22 W.R.F. chambering was added in the next catalog. A price list dated May1, 1935 for catalog No 60 lists the No 53 as "discontinued". Later No 53 was used again for an improved design as part of the 'Buckhorn' series without the grooved stock and the nose of the forearm painted black, this was a stronger design and they added 25 Stevens as an option.
To put the gun on safe pull the cocking knob back about 1/8" from full cock & turn clockwise (you will be pulling against an almost fully compressed main spring), the bar on the bottom of the cocking knob will then be blocked by the rear of the receiver, there is a notch it fits in.
The earlier guns had a rebounding firing pin for safety, yours does not, so do not un-cock it with a round in the chamber, the firing pin will rest on the rim & it could fire if the cocking knob is bumped.
PS, it is based on the same action as the Savage Model 3.
Last edited by GeneB; 01/14/21. Reason: added more info
