Hey all, I appreciate all the responses, especially those of you who provided me with some good reference information. I apologize for not responding sooner, but family matters and work have not allowed much free time for me. Lately, I have been away from home for work or gone early and home late which does not allow much free time to get on the computer. Not that I have not looked at your responses, just that along with researching and checking this and other matters I got lost along the way. Again, my apologizes folks. The firearm is stamped on the top of the barrel with the following: WARDS WESTERNFIELD MODEL 38 - - 22 S. L. & LR! Thank You RL357MAG for your reference. I was not worried about no serial number as our family owned two single shot 22 rifles when I was growing up here and neither had a serial number. I was just curious as to who may have manufactured the rifle. I also took the 22 rifle to a very well known and respected gun smith in Billings who told me pretty much what you said about who made the rifles and about when it may have been manufactured. By the way, he also was a "Marine." My response is directed at all who posted comments, Thank you for your time, I fully appreciate your taking time to post a comment. I am sure this firearm will be used for recreational purposes and serve him a long time down the road, in the trusted manner in which he was raised. Which is to respect the firearm, treat the property of others as if it were yours, and never use it in a careless manner.
Again Thank you all for your comments and posts.
Thank you Firearms Talks for allowing me to post this and for keeping track of me. I hope in the future I will have more time to spend here.