I have a Stevens 49 that has a two prong cast aluminum butt plate.  The plate is original to the rifle and is serial number matched.  Best guess on the manufacture date of the rifle is 1896 or '97 based on the 7 o'clock extractor and the way the barrel is marked.

Given the relatively high cost of aluminum and newness to general public in the late 1800's does anyone have an idea as to when Stevens first offered these plates and how common were they?

Mike

Looked through some Stevens catalogs for some reference to this, but found nothing; if this were an experimental plate, or special order, however, there'd be no catalog listing for it.  Though I've never seen one, I do have a vague recollection about such a plate being mentioned by someone I know--possibly Gary Quinlan, whom you might call for further info.

Taking the trouble to stamp the ser. no. on an aftermarket part is certainly possible, but it would be unusual--something most gunsmiths & owners just wouldn't think important.

I haven't ever seen a Stevens aluminum swiss buttplate that was factory, but I try not to say "never" anymore!

A second on the not saying never when it comes to Stevens. They are impossible to predict if nothing else.

According to Gary Quinlan, whom I spoke to at length about this rifle, it was probably ordered and set up as a gallery rifle.  Originally in .22 short it is fully engraved and has a windage adjustable front sight.  The rear was gone when I purchased the rifle.  Gary did tell me good luck on finding the correct rear sight as he has only seen a couple in all of his years of collecting.

The reason that I mention the above is that the butt plate is actually a fairly rough casting, not polished at all, but may have had some sort of finish or plating applied to it at some time a long time ago.   

Mike

frnkeore wrote on Dec 17^th, 2013 at 11:11pm:


That reminds me: two pre-WWI cars I've seen in antique car museums had aluminum bodies; problem is, I can't recall their names.  They were luxury cars, but more or less production models, not custom-built.  One of them might have been the Lozier, most expensive American car of its time.

Mike65 wrote on Dec 17^th, 2013 at 10:58pm:



I own a Stevens very similar to yours, except for the buttplate. Same caliber, engraving, checkering, and DST. Mine has a Lyman windage adjustable 103 tang sight. The Stevens H style tang is most likely what it had stock, and they sure are tough to find!

Sure looks like an old original piece to me. Sure does not look like aluminum to me though, but I am sure it is.