Hi Moshannon...it's always nice to receive good first hand information regarding the Stevens line of single shot rifles.  In your posting you are talking about your collection of Model # 44 1/2's, but I just want to point out that your attached image is of a Stevens Model # 44 rifle.  I guess you already knew that.  Is there more.....  Thanks, Webb   

Hi Mike....so there was more!!  Being a student of the Stevens single shot rifles, I'm relying on that "additonal" screw around which the swinging block (breech) of the Model 44 rotates down and away from the barrel chamber in order to differentiate between the #44 swinging block and the Model 44 1/2 falling block.  This is the first time I've encountered a Model 44 1/2 with that screw which, from your image, appears to be located in the same location as would be the #44 block pivot screw.  Additionally, your image shows a screw which appears to be the same diameter as the #44 block pivot screw.

I'm glad to have had the opportunity to hear back from you with the explaination that you provided.  It would appear at this juncture, at least until I learn more about this extractor that you discribe, that you have a somewhat rare "copy" of the Model 44 1/2 rimfire.  I'm wondering if that makes your copy more or less valuable from a financial standpoint over like models without that designed extractor.  Thanks, Webb

If I get a chance tonight, I will take a photo of the extractor. This is a diagram of one from Wisners. I think it is a little out of scale though. The one in my 47 is longer if I am recalling correctly.

Mike

Hi Mike:  Thanks for the diagram...that cleared things up nicely for me.  I am quite familiar with what you have on your Model 44 1/2 rimfire.  What is not shown on the diagram is the coil spring which is in a hole behind the plunger.  I would call this piece an "ejector" instead of an extractor, since the spring action forces the plunger against the socalled extra bolt and upon opening the action the plunger "cams" over the bolt and "snaps" the case rim lever back and actually ejects the spent casing rather that just moving it rearward as a true extractor would do.  I have the same ejector on several Model 1915 Stevens Favorites in .22 Cal rimfire.

Mike, this has been a really good posting for and about people who are interested in the often times obsure J. Stevens Tool and Firearms Co, and I for one have learned something new and worthwhile today.  I hope you find the ASSRA Forum as interesting (for the most part) as I have.  Best, Webb

Webb,

That's the one, the 44 1/2 version is a little longer and not quite the width of the Favorite's. Funny thing with the one pictured, I don't see a retainer screw/pin for the plunger. Must be a really tight fit, rough machine marks must hide it? I don't see how it could have been final machined with the plunger and spring in place and then CC hardened. Hopefully it will function for another 100 yrs without any trouble.

Merwin,

Thanks, she is pretty. I was very pleasantly suprised when I went to pick it up. It is the one I questioned about filling an obscenely large dovetail in the barrel. The bore is great, the color is about 95%, wood has some wear to the finish but nothing to bother with. I also got a 28-30 barrel that is about an 1/8 of a turn from indexing in it, so close but yet so far. The extra barrel doesn't look to have been on a gun. Probably paid too much, but it's also probably the best I'll ever be able to afford.

Mike

I took a look at the enlarged photo I posted, I don't have the extractor along with me at work. There appears to be a cross pin between/left of the 5 and the dark spot above it. I didn't see it before. It must have been fit, peened over and then filed flush, the file marks cover the part lines.

Mike

Say, Vall & Mike, what's all them extra triggers for? Ya'll find em laying on the floor where ya work or sumthin? Waz ya'll born with extry finger? I ain't never seen nuthin' like that down here in Virginia!!! moodyholler