I honestly didn't know that 44s went for that much, nice gun however.

  I am in total agreement with both of you two gentlemen.  My suspicions tells me that if an offer were to be made which reflected a $500. deduction off the asking price, that it would be agreeable with the seller and procure the rifle in question.

  CMM

My guess is it was a rifle that was well used but cared for, if the bore is good. The asking price, high. I concur that $500-700, maybe a wee bit more would be fair for a 44 considering the condition of the wood and caliber.

skratch.......

slumlord, 

I'm tending to agree with you. 

I think I see pitting on the upper left side of the receiver where it transitions to the octagon receiver ring. There are a couple buggered screw slots so someone may have been inside the action to make repairs. Also the threads of the aperture disc on the Marbles tang sight should not extend through past the front of the stem, so someone may have run a tap into the stem to install a non-standard disc. My 2 cents.

The mention of the barrel taper brings up the question, does the taper appear steeper then the normal Stevens half octagon barrel? Judging by the overhang of the front sight dovetail, the muzzle appears smaller than normal. Has the barrel been turned down or is it a trick of the photos?

There appears to be rust/pitting near the sight base, so if it has been modified, it was some time in the past.

   Only reason I valued it at all highly is what I think of as a rare chambering.  I'm guessing it's a plain 44. I think that the floor value of a complete plain 44 is 500.00.  Yes, I too used to be able to buy these for $50.00, $100.00, $250.00 ( that only about 3-4 years ago). But that was then, this is now.  But then I add for the sights.  And then, if I was more of a collecter than user, how many 25-25's have I ever seen, in the flesh, so to speak.  By a plain 44, I mean one without the hammer/breech block shelf that in effect is another lock-up.  That would make it worth a lot more(to me) as a shooter.

This thread has made me curious as to what my 44 might be worth. I bought it in 1985 for $350. It was my very first SS. Four more followed that year

It's a early 32/40, 28", #3 barrel, 7 O'clock extrator, hammer block, original 2A rear sight, 17A front. It's as nice as it looks

Frank

It's not for sale, sorry. My rifles become like family. When I'm gone, my wife will have that option though.

Frank

I believe that the rifle that started this thread was on Gun Broker for a while. I have to agree that the price is more than I believe they go for even in great condition. I just bought the one in the accompanying photos for $800.00. It also is a 25-20SS, but without the tang sight and Beech front sight.  I felt that I paid all the money on this one but it is in such good condition it was worth it. Had a few guys go over the rifle and they all agree that it is all original and not fooled with one bit. One of them was Paul Shuttleworth. I value his opinion. There are a few dings in the wood but nothing that's that distracting. The color case is better than 98% in my book and the bluing around 95%. The bore rates a 95+ in my evaluation with a Hawkeye bore scope. No cracks in the wood.
I guess it's like I been told before that the worth of an item is what it sells for on the day it is sold. However, there are somethings that are far to hard to put a price on for one person but worthless to another. I'll pack some bucks away in fine old rifles as the interest rates at the banks are a real shame. Besides fine old single shots are a bunch more fun to fondle,shoot, and just look at than a pass book that doesn't change unless you make a deposit!!!
                             Sendaro

Yes, exactly, you can have the world's nicest 32-20 or 2520                     wcf and ok, it's fabulous.  As I said before, it's the very rare chambering that sets this one apart.  I think Franks 32-40 with the hammer shelf is worth , today 1000.00 to 1250.00 minimum, meaning a sale within 30 days.  Because if you put it on Gun Broker and roll it over and over, a year could go by.  There is a Hopkins & Allen been up fore 2 years at $900.00 or so.  It might sell someday.

I sent the guy an email to find out what his bottom dollar was. $1875 plus shipping. I wished him luck with that. Not in todays economy or any other in recent history in my opinion.

My limit on this one would be $1000. If it was a 98% gun I would have bought for his price. Not worth that much to me at this point in time.

That is one nice 44. I have a plain Jane 44 in .22 Long Rifle that is in about that condition. Walked into the New Berlin Ill gun show several years ago and walked right up to it. Gave the guy the $700 he was asking without a question. Met Gary at the Kansas City show a few years back. He is one interesting guy and yes he has nice stuff.

Quote:


  Marlin-Guy

  Upon further inspection of this "for Sale" rifle's photos, I have to agree with you, in that I to believe it to be priced too dearly.  As you have pointed out, the wood shows heavy use, almost to the point of neglect, as in "throw the gun in the back of the pick-up" at the end of the day in the field.

  Your engraved rifle was most likely owned (earlier in life) by folks who had an appreciation for the aesthetics of the piece.

CMM

I would agree with that assessment. I have mostly shooter grade guns in my collection with a few realy nice collector grade guns. I enjoy them all. The difference is usualy in how much you have to pay to get them. I also understand that a rare gun demands a premium. I paid dearly for  a few guns even though the condition was not as nice as i would like just because they were difficult to find in any condition. Thats part of the fun.

Quote:


CMM,

Yes, it has the 7 o'clock extractor. The picture below should answer your question about the pins/screws. As to your prior questions about the originality of the sights and finish, nothing about the rifle suggests that anything has been altered or changed. 

John Gross

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

.

[/quote]

Quote:



Well, I didn't exactly buy it recently. I got it from Gary in 1995. 


Quote:


Gary is an antique, just like his rifles 

John Gross

Stevens Pope 28-30, Gunbroker buy it now 100.00, year 2004.

Pictures 1&2 from original add 3&4 taken by AC Gould.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Perfect bore, original tang sight, wood very slight handling marks, metal and case hardening you be the judge and as you can see the rifle was very well taken care of. A real classic Wood Chuck rifle of the highest order.

J.Louis

JLouis wrote on Oct 25^th, 2012 at 8:38pm:



Hey! Is that my rifle? 

Here's my Stevens-Pope in 28-30, featured on the cover of THE GUN REPORT and pictured in the article about late numbered Stevens-Pope rifles. My barrel number is in the 1800 range and was purchased from Leon, who I believe is ACGould. 

John Gross

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Marlinguy,
I have a 44 that could be a twin for yours but in much worse condition.  Chambered in .22 short originally but the barrel has been set back and re-done in .22lr.  Unfortunately the barrel is shot.  It has an original windage adjustable front sight but no tang sight.  Based on the markings and the extractor Gary Quinlan figured about 1896 or 97 mfg.  
Are your receiver and buttplate nickle?  No finish left on mine but the receiver looks like it could have been plated in a spot or two.
Mike

John that is indeed my $100.00 buy it now rifle. I often wondered who Leon sold it to and if the fellow was enjoying it. Have you shot the rifle, it just sat in my safe and I never took it out to the range as it was not a target rifle. Would it be possible to scan your article and e-mail to me at johnlouis123@att.net. I have the original listing on Gunbroker stashed somewhere and if you would like to have a copy I should be able to e-mail it to you. The rifle came from Washington state from a dealer. In speaking to him after the purchase while trying to get some background on the rifle he contacted the widow of the owner but she could not recall anything about the purchase of the rifle. When asked why the 100.00 buy it now he said it was the widows request and the terms for him selling the rifle for her. When asked why she was so adamant about the 100.00 dollar selling price she keep it personnel and would not comment on it. It then made me think that is was possibly a request from her husband prior to his passing and that she was honoring his wishes? It was listed as a Stevens Pope 22 lever action rifle or something to that extent so I was quite surprised when it arrived here. Being a 0441/2 action just added some frosting on the cake.

J.Louis

John received in good order and thank you so very much. 

Outstanding work on the Article
Thanks Again
J.Louis