115: Yes, Sears Sold Shotguns: The Strange History of Store-Brand Guns | No Lowballers

In this week’s episode of the No Lowballers Podcast, host Logan Metesh of High Caliber History returns—sleep-deprived but energized—with Allen Forkner of GunBroker.com to explore one of the most fascinating corners of firearms history: store-brand guns and white-label firearms. Triggered by the reintroduction of the Glenfield brand under Ruger, the duo dives into the heritage of guns sold under names like Western Field, J.C. Higgins, and Ted Williams, unpacking how hardware stores, catalog companies, and major retailers helped build America’s gun culture.

From Montgomery Ward’s Western Field shotguns to Sears’ celebrity-endorsed Ted Williams rifles, this episode traces the evolution of trade-name guns and their modern parallels—from Marlin’s budget-minded Glenfield to Ruger’s newest Model A. Allen and Logan swap stories, share manufacturer connections (like Mossberg, Savage, and H&R), and even compare it all to today’s white-label whiskey and store-brand cereal.

Highlights from the Show:

• The return of Glenfield, Marlin’s historic “on-a-budget” brand, and why it matters.
• How white-labeling works in the firearms industry—and what makes it similar to today’s retail brands.
• The fascinating overlap between Marlin, Ruger, and Beretta, and why brand families can get confusing.
• Forgotten retail firearms: Montgomery Ward, Sears, JCPenney, Coast to Coast, and Ace Hardware.
• The role of hardware stores and the “hardware store caliber” rule for hunters.
• Ted Williams’ Sears shotgun line and the rise of celebrity firearm endorsements.
• The surprising parallels between Glock collectors and coin collectors—down to the smallest variations.
• A preview of the new Glenfield Model A rifle: design, calibers, and how it fits Ruger’s lineup.
• The hosts’ hunt for crossover collectibles like the Chevy Outdoorsman and Dodge Marksman rifles.
• Hilarious vintage gun names from the early 1900s—like The Tramp’s Terror, The Reliable, and The Non-XL.

Join the Conversation:
Have you ever owned a Glenfield, Western Field, or Ted Williams gun? What’s your favorite store-brand firearm find? Let us know in the comments!

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