Originally many handguns with detachable stocks were covered under the National Firearms Act and treated the same way as machine guns, silencers, etc.  Over the years, many of these have been removed from the NFA and classified as Curios and Relics and can be bought freely through holders of Federal Firearms Licenses o rby  Curio and Relic License holders.  Copied below is material from the ATF C&R definitions covering Stevens Pocket Rifles which were removed from the NFA and re-defined as Curios and Relics.  Additional information may be found on the ATF website.

Stevens, Rifle, No. 20, w/smooth bore barrel for .22 and .32 rimfire shot cartridges.
Stevens, Reliable Pocket Rifle, second issue, cal. .22 long rifle or .22 Stevens-Pope.
Stevens, New model Pocket Rifle, first issue, caliber .22.
Stevens, New model Pocket Rifle, second issue, cal. .22 short, long or long rifle rimfire, .22 WRF, .32
long centerfire.
Stevens, New model Pocket Rifle No. 40, calibers: .22 long, rifle, .22 WRF, .22 Stevens-Pope, and
.32 long centerfire.
Stevens, Hunter's Pet No. 34 Pocket Rifle, cal. .22 short rimfire to .44-40 WCF.
Stevens, Vernier Hunter's Pet No. 34 1/2 Pocket Rifle, cal. .22 short .44-40 WCF.
Stevens, Vernier New model Pocket Rifle 40 1/2, cal. .22 long rifle, .22 WRF, .22 Stevens-Pope, .32
long centerfire.
Stevens, 1898 New model Pocket Shotgun, in cals. .38-40 and .44-40.
Stevens, Number 39, New model Pocket Shotgun, cals. .38-40 and .44-40.

Hope this helps,
Leon

418Steve, Thanks for the kind word of praise for my Stevens M40. All the screw heads are fire blue I believe is what they call it. They are not plated on either of my 40s. I have another with a 12" barrel that is not in as good condition. It may very well turn into a restoration project some time this winter.

Sendaro wrote on Oct 26^th, 2011 at 4:47pm:



Thanks--just got my pocket rifle sighted in today and will post pics in the am--Not as nice as your's--barrel cut to 6" in the past and no stock.  Original front sight now needs a post, but have a patridge front sight and Lyman # 6 rear sight so I can at least shoot it while looking for rear sight and a stock for it.  But didn't know what the screw finish was.
They're in the white now and looked like they might have been plated but I'll blue them shortly--IE, this is my restoration project!