In my youth, by first real gun was an Ithaca model 49, single shot lever action .22. Boy O boy, did I love that gun. Many an hour down by the river shooting cans, rocks, twigs, and just having a great time.
My second gun, soon to come was a Browning BL22 grade 2, lever action .22. Purchased it used, but it looked new, for $100, which seemed like a bunch of money, as the Ithaca cost $19!
Both guns have long past traded hands, never to be seen again, but I often remember them.
Lately, I have been looking around for that Ithaca, and maybe a Browning also, to fill that void in my gun collection.
Today, at WalMart, I made a compromise, I purchased a gun that looks a little like both of them, a Henry lever action .22. Shoots LR or short, and is much the same size and weight of my original guns.
Because you can never really replace something you used to have, unless you get lucky and find the exact item you once sold, I think this will be a good compromise.
This helps to balance out my evil side with mostly gov ban listed black guns with mags. lol
More than likely, oil the dickens out of it, and put it in the safe and never fire it, getting it out to clean from time to time, maybe with a The Rifleman western playing in the background.
Borrowed Google image, close enough!