Are there any good books on the Stevens rifles (44, 44 1/2, Walnut Hill, etc.) or very knowledgable people? I know from reading this forum that some of you seem to know quite a bit.  Looking for info like what is the difference between the 44's and a Walnut Hill. How to tell age of the rifle (if possible, by serial number or other markings).

Savage & Stevens Arms by Jay Kimmel coppyright 1990. This is the 4th edition. I think there is a 5th edition currently available. Saw one on Ebay recently.  Savage andStevens Arms & History by Bill West. First edition was 1971. As far as I know it is out of print. This is the best one I have found. A History & Digest of The J. Stevens Arms and Tool Company, by Harold E. Strong. Coppyright 1993. I bought a signed copy from the author in 1993 at the Belleville Ill. gunshow. Have not seen a copy since. It is interesting because much of it is from original old factory catalogs.  I Recommend all of the Frank De Hass books. I have collected a lot of old magazine articles. A lot of them are by De Hass. Cornell publications has a great selection of origial catalog reprints. The 44 1/2 has one less screw on the sideplate.Hope this helps. I am no expert, but I do know a little. Feel free to contact me if I can be of further help. My Email is slumlord44@hotmail.com