For all of you fans of the Stevens M-44 1/2, of which I am just one of you, I had the pleasure of seeing an original extra fine Stevens/Pope Schuetzen rifle chambered in 32-40 made at the Hartford plant while H.M.Pope was employed there, which was offered at the Baltimore Antique Arms Show this past weekend.  It was priced at $40,000 and included a set of muzzel loading tools.

    It was fully engraved and in excellent condition.  Should anyone here be interested, I happen to have the owner's business card and will pass that along.  No, I have no finder's fee arrangement with the gentleman !  I had thought about a "third mortgage" on the ranch, but decided "not at this time". 

I saw that gun as well. It was a looker. I don't think it was perfect but that kind of gave it even more character. It looked like it had actually been shot.

The guy selling it said that only 4 of that model were ever made.

Merwin

Westerner,

I don't recall if he even told me a number, I was pretty much absorbed in the gun itself. 

I do remember he said it was the top of the line Pope Special model. The Best offered by Stevens under Pope.

I asked if it was indeed made by Pope or one of the Pope models made by others at Stevens on the Pope system. 

The seller insisted it was indeed made by the man himself and that they only made four.

The engraving was absolutley spectacular.

I know I have seen in some of the old stevens reprint catalogs mention of the SPecial Pope maodel, I think it is called. Maybe this was it!

Merwin

A friend of the owner who was watching the table at the show, gave incorrect information about the number of these guns made.  The actual owner will post corrected information within the next few days.

Let me think, If I sold my whole gun collection and the '57 T-Bird, I could probably buy it. It is neat to look at these fine guns that I can't afford. Sure would like to trade my standard 44 1/2 .32-40 for that one.

I talked to a big Stevens collector at the OGCA last week about the number of Stevens Pope rifles made and he said about 1800 total but, that Pope never actually make any of the rifles he just directed the work on rifles to about #1200 or so until his contract expired. The soon to be released book by W Greatbatch may answer some of our questions.   leadball

Joe, 
i will never have the money to own a $40,000.00 gun, but If I buy a gun, it isn't to look at, it is to shoot! I tried to CAS 1 1/2 times, my back is so bad, I couldn't finish the second one. But you didn't see me throwing my guns around like the folks do on the outdoor channel! They are way to serious for me! I couldn't believe how they would just throw there guns on a table to go to the next stage!
I love my Guns

Later Greg

I find this thread most interesting from a historical perspective. Might one of you folks venture a thought as to how many of that universe of 1800 possible Stevens Pope's might be model 52's?

Ledball, Who is W Greatbatch and tell us more about his book? I am always in the market for a Stevens Book that I don't have yet.
I also shoot almost all of the guns that I have. I also drive my '57 T-Bird in a manner that scares the heck out of a lot of " collectors".

slumlord44;
                Warren Greatbatch was [is] a collector of singleshot rifles, who has taken on the task of writing about Harry Pope and the Stevens Pope rifles, Tom Rowe has been involved in getting this book to press--it is to have as many as possible of the present #'s of Pope rifles. Hopefully, it will be the best book on the subject to date.  I sold my "57 Bird" about fifteen years ago to finance this crazy singleshot rifle game.   leadball

marlinguy wrote on Mar 24^th, 2009 at 8:23pm:



Vall, I just got to thinking, you might have more $40 - $50 K guns than you think if you have Cabelas sell them for you!    


                                                              Joe.

Anybody have any contact information for Mr. Rowe? This thread reminded me of the book and I have a couple serial #'s and at least one item he may find worthy of a photo.

   Let me add some additional information in connection with the $40 K Stevens/Pope rifle based on what our readers have contributed above.

   The apparent owner of this fabulous rifle is named " Tony ", and he hails from North Carolina.  His table at the Baltimore Antique Arms Show, held at Timonium, Maryland was number " E-22 ".

    In my conversation with this gentleman, he indicated that the rifle was a Steven No. 52, which he had recently acquired with several or more other Stevens target rifles.  I was interested in learning of the provenance of the $40 K rifle, but non was given at that meeting, which I understood at the time, since I was not a "prospective purchaser."

  Tony showed me a photo album which contained a series of images of the rifle, so perhaps if any of our readers should personnaly know Tony, perhaps we can get some images put up on this forum for our collective viewing pleasure.

   This piece was one of the highlights of my day.

Creedmoormatch

Tom lives in Virginia now. KAF 's search site has his correct phone no.  Bob

hello everybody i am the one who owns the rifle in question here.First thing let me tell you it is a stevens pope special 44 1/2.It is a very early gun it will be in tom rowes upcoming book on harry pope guns.it is one of if not the finest engraved pope specials.next let me clear up something else,there was a misunderstanding somehow about the quantity made.i don't know but what was meant to be said is i have 4 other pope stevens for sale.all are in excellant to better shape complete with tools if it had them.i will be in tulsa and bring a couple there.i am not real good on a computer so don't expect much.
                             thanks tony <><

        Good morning Tony,      Thanks for finding us here at the ASSRA Forum and a big welcome to you.  I enjoyed meeting and talking with you at the Maryland Antique Arms Collectors recent show held at Timounium fair grounds.   It was my pleasure to have seen the wonderful Stevens/Pope rifles that you brought with you and had on display for the viewing public.

         As you get to know us better, perhaps you will take the appropriate opportunity to post a few photos of your Stevens/Pope collection as you see fit.

         I the mean time, I will continue to appreciate the time I had with you at your table in Maryland.

         Webb   <><

If you folks will indulge me I have 2 more question that I'd like forum opinion on. First, what is the thinking on how high the serial numbers that Stevens continued on with the Pope bbls. before the end? Lastly anybody have any assessment as to what kind of numbers out there on guns rebarreled as opposed to leaving the factory as Pope configured guns? Thanks in advance.