Ask anyone what kind of gun they used when they learned how to shoot as a child, and they will almost always say it was some kind of .22-caliber pistol or rifle. Because a .22 is such a soft-shooting round, it’s perfect for teaching children (and adults) the fundamentals of marksmanship without scaring them away with loud noise or harsh recoil.

Carlos Hathcock’s Stevens Model 15 Sniper Rifle

In the early 20th century, one such popular rifle was the Stevens Model 15, which was an affordable, easy-to-use, single-shot rifle. The Model 15 served as an entry level boy’s rifle. Early models had a 22-inch barrel, and later models had a 24-inch barrel. Regardless of barrel length, these rifles usually tipped the scales at less than 4 pounds. Technically a bolt action, it was a simple single-shot design. The bolt operated like any other bolt-action rifle, except that after extracting the fired cartridge case, there was no magazine that would allow the loading of another cartridge. Instead, the next round loaded manually.

For the first 10 years of production, which were 1937 to 1947, it was billed as the Springfield Model 15. In 1948, it became known as the Stevens Model 15 and remained as such through 1965. In other instances, the rifle was known as the Model 120, and thousands were manufactured as “store-brand guns” for companies such as Sears, Montgomery Ward, JCPenney and others, through 1971.

The Standout Model 15

This particular gun is a Stevens Model 15-A. The exact year of production remains unknown. The rifle comes from a time before federal law required a serial number. We do know this rifle cam some time before 1958. It shows up in old family photos positively dated up to that year.

Now, the gun in and of itself as an example of a run-of-the-mill Stevens Model 15-A is rather unremarkable, having virtually no collector value and a resale value of $100 or so. The provenance of this particular rifle makes it extraordinary. The legendary Carlos Norman Hatchock II learned to shoot with this gun.

Born in 1942, Hathcock enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on May 20, 1959—the very day he turned 17. His previous skill as a marksman had won him a variety of matches and trophies at places like Camp Perry in Ohio. His proficiency with a rifle gained the attention of Edward James “Jim” Land, one of Carlos’ commanding officers in Vietnam, who trained him in an early version of a sniper school.

A Sniper’s Legacy

By the time he left Vietnam for the second—and final—time in 1969, Carlos had cemented his legacy as one of the most accomplished Marine Corps snipers of all time, with a total of 93 confirmed kills. “Confirmed” stands as the key word there. Hathcock estimated his actual number somewhere between 300 and 400.

Hathcock often spent days on end inching through fields toward the enemy. Tales of his is stealth and concealment stand as legendary. Disguised so well, a Vietnamese soldier nearly stepped on him one time. Another incident nearly led to a viper bite.

Locally, he became known as “Long Tr’ang”—“White Feather Sniper”—because he kept such a feather in his hat band at all times while in country. Hathcock’s skill as a sniper quickly made him Public Enemy Number 1 to the Vietnamese. They even went so far as to offer a bounty on his head worth a staggering equivalent of $30,000. Normally, bounties rarely got higher than a few thousand dollars.

Of course, one shot still reigns supreme among the legends. It occurred when Hathcock took out an enemy sniper dispatched to kill him. While lying in wait, Carlos caught a glimpse of light that flashed off the enemy’s scope. So Hathcock fired. He later discovered his round went right down the center of the enemy sniper scope, hitting him in the eye, killing him instantly.

It’s important to note, however, that just because Hathcock was good at what he did didn’t mean that he was heartless or relished the killing of human beings. In an interview, he said, “I like shooting, and I love hunting. But I never did enjoy killing anybody. It’s my job. If I don’t get those bastards, then they’re gonna kill a lot of these kids dressed up like Marines.”

In Memoriam

Carlos left Vietnam in 1969 after being badly injured and burned when a vehicle he was riding in struck an anti-tank mine. He pulled seven fellow Marines from the fiery wreck and received the Purple Heart for his actions; a Silver Star came decades later.

Once he recovered and was firmly reestablished in the United States, Hathcock helped Jim Land establish the Marine Corps Scout Sniper School in Quantico, Virginia. In 1975, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and was medically retired from the Marine Corps.

Despite the pain from his disease, Carlos continued to offer sniper training to military and law enforcement agencies throughout the country for the rest of his life. In 1999, he lost his battle with multiple sclerosis at just 56 years old.

Carlos Hathcock’s story is the ultimate testament to what can be done when a small spark from a small gun like the Stevens Model 15-A ignites the passion for marksmanship.

Donated by his brother, Billy Jack Hathcock, the visually unremarkable rifle on which one of the Marine Corps’ most celebrated snipers of all time learned to shoot is in the collection of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia.

This article is from the October-November 2020 issue of Tactical Life magazine. Grab your copy at OutdoorGroupStore.com.