Good afternoon gentlemen, 
I recently purchased a Stevens 45 Range Rifle with a 44.5 action, full octagon barrel in 32/40.  You may have seen it listed on GunsAmerica.  It is in super condition (much better than the photos show) with full original blue and 80-90% case colors.  The bore is mint and I intend to shoot some cast bullets through it this summer.  My question is this,  the rifle has a firing pin retractor.  Not a spring as the firing pin will stay in the fired position when pushed down with a finger.  When the under lever first starts to move and before the breech block moves, the pin retracts.  De Haas mentions that late 44.5 actions have a retractor.  Ned Roberts mentions having this feature added.  How can I tell if this is factory or a later addition?  Does the serial number give any indication at all as to date of manufacture?
(11,0xx )  It will be awhile before I dare take the action apart to look at the retractor but it will happen eventually.

By the way, First Stop Gun was great to work with.  The rifle is in my opinion much better than described.  I will buy from them again.

Thanks,
hms50

Wow!  thats a lot of 44.5's!  Do you get replacement firing pins from CVA?  Did any of yours without set  triggers have a fly on the hammer?  De Haas mentions that some were set-up that way.  Before long the old girl will bark again, a mold is on the way...

Thanks again
hms50

My 44.5 is serial number 92xx, and has the retractor and fly. It is an IDEAL rifle, standard in every way, in 32-40. moodyholler

Thanks for the kind words and the information.  I've wanted a 44.5 since I was a kid.  I also thought the asking price was a little high but the local gun shows never seem to have any.  When the rifle arrived all doubt was gone.  It's in amazing condition and should be a ball to shoot.

hms50

waterman;
                Stevens made about 12-13000  44 1/2  rifles, so I've been told.   leadball