I was just looking through Jay Kimmel's book, Savage & Stevens Arms, for info on a Stevens Little Kraig that I just got this week. I stumbled on a note on the Bisley that I had never noticed before.
"Guns Magizine, Feb. 1969, reports that only 10 Bisley model Stevens were ever made. There was a distinct European liscense to produce Stevens rifles and pistols that is not commonly known.Slightly modified versions were produced in both England and Germany. Consider the Stevens Ideal No 700 as advertised in the 1911 book titled Rifle and Carton (i.e. "target") by Ernest H. Tobinson, Published by Edmunde Seale, London."
I still doubt the figure of 10 rifles produced. I think there were over 100 based on serial #'s that I am personaly aware of. I also have never heard of any German production of these rifles before. There has to be more info out there. I would like to put together an article for the magazine if I could ever get enough material together to do it justice.
Now I am looking for the Feb. 1969 Guns Magazine and the Rifle and Carton Book. I would be interested in buying both books or photo copies of the Bisley info in each. Can anybody here help me?

slumlord44

I have Rifle & Carton 3rd edition dated 1914. It does contain an advert for Stevens Rifles The no 700 Target model with BSA  No8 sight and Stevens interchangable Disc foresight. Auto ejection Big grip forend about 8lbs in Weight. (No illustration)  Th ecompany address given as J.Stevens Arms and Tool Co. 15 Grape St, London WC. If you wish I will try a close photo of the page and send you. Pm. me if so.

TJ.

Slumlord, The Stevens model # 700, was nothing more than a 417 Walnut Hill with, I believe a 24" long barrel.         ...MIKE...

Are you sure it's not the model 404 you're thinking about? I believe I've seen pictures of the 404 on both 44 & 44 1/2 frames. The 417 didn't arrive until 1932 and the frame stands slightly higher on each side of the breech block than the 44 frame.

Slumlord: theres info on the "bisly" as made by Stevens in old ASSRA newsletters. I seem to remember seeing it a number of years ago. The "Bisley" in the article is made like a Martini action not and Ideal action. Maybe you can fimd the article in old newsletters...Don rustyrelx

Is it possible to do a search of archived records of ASSRA newsletters?Maybe they're on microfish. Don't know. My friend is wanting a Bisley also, that why this came up. Seems like it was in the 60's but maybe the 50's not positive.  Don rustyrelx

Thanks for the reference Mike, I already have that book and reference. The Bisley was discussed at length back when I first bought the gun. As a matter of fact the previous owner brought up the question of what it was and what it was worth on this forum and I ended up buying it from him. The subject was discussed at length both before and after I bought it. I am always looking for any info on the Bisley that anyone cam come up with. I would like to put it all together for an article for the Magazine if I can ever accumulate enough material.