I could use some help on this one!!  Just got what I believe to be a Stevens 417 1/2 but maybe isn't!  Per all my references, the 417 was a full tilt target rifle with a speed lock (short hammer fall, no safety notch, cocks on closing), forend with barrel band, and receiver mounted Lyman sight.  The 417 1/2 sporting rifle had a smaller beavertail forearm, attached with two screws and no barrel band.  Slightly lighter barrel than 417, dovetail for rear sight, and factory mounted Lyman tang sight click adjustable for windage and elevation.  Did not have the speed lock but had a regular Stevens 44 set-up with the usual safety notch and light enough hammer spring that the hammer could be cocked or let down readily.   

My example meets all the criteria for the 417 1/2 sporting rifle except it has the speed lock which is useless on a sporter as it has no safety notch and almost impossible to cock or un-cock with one's thumb.   

Any thoughts would be welcome!!

Thanks,
Leon

Hi,
The rear sight is a correct and original Lyman #144 tang sight with click adjustments for both windage and elevation.  The barrel has the dovetail for the Lyman folding barrel sight  which was apparently filled with a blank by the original owner.  The front sight is a Lyman 17.  There is no "half-cock" or "safety" position for the hammer.  This is a "speed lock" with  full cock just past where the safety notch would be on a standard #44 action hammer.  Hammer spring is so strong that it is extremely difficult to thumb cock or uncock.  Hammer cocks when breech is closed.  This is exactly as described by Frank de Haas for the Model 417 target model.  He further states that the 417 1/2 sporting rifle (which my rifle is in all respects save the "speed lock") had both full cock and safety notches and hammer was left in the safety notch when the lever was closed.  The only explanation that comes to mind is that the original owner may have ordered a 417 1/2 with the 417 speed lock in an effort to secure a somewhat lighter target rifle.  I am very curious to know if anyone else has encountered a similar mix??  If I could go back and order one, it would be the 417 with the 417 1/2 hammer because it was almost impossible to get a really decent trigger pull on the 417 because of the super strong hammer spring with the sear, which is one piece with the trigger, bearing directly on the hammer.  
Leon

Slumlord,,
My reference was de Haas's "More Single-Shot Rifles".  He uust have been wrong. I'm beginning to suspect that he examined a 417 1/2 that had been modified.  I have lots of pre-WWI Stevens catalogs and other references but very little post WWI.  However,  I just remembered that I have an original  1939 Stoeger catalog which lists both 417 and 417 1/2 rifles and mentions the "short, fast hammer fall" in the descriptions of both rifles.  

Not interested in selling!  My interests have always been in pre-WWI Stevens rifles.  However, over the last 18 months I have accumulated four and 1/2 post-WWI Stevens made after the company was acquired by Savage.  Turned up a nice 1915 Favorite with pre-1920 Stevens scope, a 414 Armory Model, the 417 1/2, a 44 Ideal with Lyman 438 scope and a pre-WWI Model 47 with fancy special order checkered wood that was returned to Stevens after 1920 for a new, heavy round .22 LR barrel and a complete re-finish (this is the "1/2" post WWI Stevens<Grin>)

Thanks again for your help.  Once again this goes to show what a great source of information we have in this forum!
Leon
Leon

Leon, My 417 1/2 also has the speed lock. .22LR, no rear sight cut. Carry it with one in the chamber, breech block open.    ...MIKE...