I have read several places and have heard from collectors that the number of 44 1/2's manufactured over the 2-3 years of production is somewhere around the 12,000+ mark. Let's see what the high and low SN's are for those on the board to possibly get a better grasp on the total. 

I have an early Walnut Hill at #70x and a late plain jane #44 1/2 at #12,87x. Don't know the purpose of the x's, but felt the peer pressure to use them.

Anybody else?

Moshannon

I looked up the 2 that I have left and they are a 52 Stevens-Pope #4654 in .22 short (in Grants book) and #2618 in a .32-40 heavy octagon sporter with target sights. Many years back I did own a .44-40 lightweight sporter that was only 3 digits (cannot remember which range?).

Ed

Mine is a plain  44 1/2 originally in 25-20ss. Serial 12070. has the "extra" screw in receiver wall. 

I bought it from David Condon then sent it to Dave Casey to have second barrel in 38-55 fit to it. He called me and told me someone had put a heavily altered single action army hammer in it. It had a very low hammer and a hardened piece of steel brazed in for a new sear engagement.
I had not taken it apart before sending it to him. he ordered me a CPA replacement but I have that hammer. After having a couple of people look at it and my gun, it has been suggested that the altered hammer was to make room for a straight line breach seater. Not sure if that is why the altered hammer, but an interesting theory. Have thought of putting it back in to see how well it works.

Merwin

Have a similar problem with mine. Have to hold the hammer back to clear cleaning rod. PIB

Bobbing the existing hammer spur slightly is the only existing fix. Trimming a little off and re-checkering what is left. This has got me wondering could a self cocking mechanism be added? I am thinking of something like the Speed hammers that Dave Ariwenko made up for Ballards. He modified the existing internals with a heavier spring Bobbed the hammer spur and changed the hammer fall to about 3/8". The action cocked as it was closed.

40 Rod

40rod,

Interesting idea. I know I own one but I am not the mechanical mind so many here are. I know the stevens line mostly have a hump on the link I think it is, that pushes the hammer off the firing pin. Wonder if there would be a way to alter that to somehow push it on back.

Merwin

moshannon wrote on Nov 29^th, 2011 at 7:20am:



Just for the record, the 44 1/2 was made for much more than 2-3 years. It was introduced in late 1902, is still listed in Stevens 1911 catalog, and I'm pretty certain production finally ceased in 1916. Is there conflicting/new information that I am not aware of?

John Gross

Mike,

190 WOULD give it a little more push seeing as it would have a slight angle!!  Iknow u meant 180, I may have to look at that in mine. Thanks!