Just bought a Stevens model 40 bicycle rifle in 22 LR (18" barrel, with detachable butt stock). The rifle's blueing- nickel plating and grips  are in great condition for the age (better than 95 %), but it has a broken rear sight and a broken firing pin. The rear sight is the folding type found on many different models of the old Stevens tip up rifles and Hunters Pet. It is a very small fold up sight with a flat spring that holds up the frame that has a sliding peep hole and V-notch. Anyone got one for sale or know where I can get one? Would be very happy even with a good repro. Interestingly this rifle can from a man in his mid 90s who has had it since he was 9 years old. It was his first rifle as a boy growing up on a farm. Would really like to put the sight back on the rifle and replace the firing pin.

Sendaro,

You know we all like pictures! Let us have a peek!      

That gentleman that owned this rifle needs to be commended for the care he provided for this rifle one could only imagine how much it meant to him. The screws that are shown are not even buggered up and the original finish is outstanding. Now it is your turn to provide the same quality of care to pass onto the next proud owner and hopefully it will be handed down to a member of your family who would also cherish it. 

Congratulatons!
J.Louis

I have every intention to be a very good custodian to this fire arm. I was told that it had one owner before me and he is now in his mid 90s. He said that he received it as a boy of 8 or 9 years old while working on his family farm. The firing pin was broken when I got it and only the rear sight base was present. I was very lucky to find the correct rear sight for it. I have fired a few CB longs through it but do not intend to make a habit of shooting it. I have another in lesser condition with a 12" barrel and may start a restoration of that one. This 18" barreled one in the photos has not been fooled with and will remain that way while in my care. Thank you for the kind words about this fie old Stevens.

Slumlord44, I agree that it is easier to find the gun without the sight than finding the right sight. The Stevens 40, 40 1/2s and Hunters pets are getting harder to find all the time. The prices are going out of sight. Some day I hope to find a Stevens 44 1/2 in a shootable condition in centerfire something to play with. I've a ton of super accurate centerfire modern rifles, but they are for serious in the field work, or winning a match. These old single shots are just a lot of fun for me. I guess it's a lot like having an old car to take out for a Sunday drive. Right now I'm having a ball with an old Stevens 44 in 22LR that Craig Rittenhouse relined the barrel for me. It is a tack driver and such a pleasure to shoot. I also have a Stevens 44 in 32-40 that I have been playing with. I've been shooting cast bullet in it that I'm casting. Although I cast pistol bullet for many many years I have much to learn about making good cast rifle bullets. Wish that Harvey Donaldson was still alive to talk to about it. I knew him in my younger years, but only talked to him about modern centerfire rifles. I just didn't know about his past with the old single shots and cast bullets. My interests were fast flat shooting accurate rifles that I could kill woodchucks with at extended ranges. Harvey love to talk about them also. So that is what the topic was on most chance I had to visit with him at the Pine Tree Rifle Club of Johnstown New York. I can't go back but I can still shoot and own some of those old single shots. 
As I grow older and find it harder to take the cold and rigors of hunting big game. I do find collecting and shooting these old single shots very enjoyable indeed. I guess that I'd say that they are just IDEAL.

That's a stunning Model 40 Sendaro! It always makes me smile when I see a gun that old that's been so well cared for!

Marlinguy, Thanks. It is about as good as they get. I have a friend that has a few that are in better condition but they cost him a big bunch more! You know how it goes, if you want to dance with the pretty girls it is going to cost more!!!!
 Someday I hope to find a Stevens 45 or 47 in centerfire something that I can load for and shoot. I just love the way a loop lever looks with the little S-curve in the bottom of the pistol grip. Maybe someday! They sure are purdy!
  For now though I will shoot my Stevens 44s in 22LR and 32-40.Have a Lyman 103 on the 22LR at present and it is a ball to shoot off hand. There is a 12X Unertl a top the 32-40. I just have to get my butt busy casting bullets.
 
 

Got my beater 40 in .22 back from John Taylor today. Had him put a liner in it and then had an extractror problem. John made a new extractor. Slot in the barrel wherr the extractor slides in was worn and he widened the slot and made a wider extractor to fit it. Works perfectly now. Need to do some sighitng in with it.  Still looking for an original front sight for one of these if anyone has one or knows where there may be one. I got lucky a year or so back and got a realy nice 40 in .32 Long Riimfiee for around $600 or $700 as I recall. Hard to get  nice one under $1000 today.
The 44's sure do make a nice .22. 44 1/2's are a lot harder to find and not getting any cheaper. I have 3 or 4 and am always looking for an intersting caliber. Oddest one I have so far is one with a long barrel, tang rear sight, no rear dovetail in the barrel, in .22 Short. Heavy gun for a .22 short but it is accurate and extremely quiet with target shorts.
Keep looking for that 44 1/2 Sendaro, they are out there. Took me a while to find the ones I have but it was worth the search.

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!