Marlinguy, 

Thanks for that info, I've been nothing but amazed with all the people on this forum, helpful and generous with their time! I have learned so much about these old guns thanks to all of you. I'm hooked on single shots! This one is a beauty, I have been pondering an Ubertii 45-70 but found this one day at my local gunshop. It came in as part of a collection of mostly old S & W revolvers and a few older reloading tools and the one rifle, the color case hardening caught my eye, and then the under lever. I didn't even know what caliber it was until after I paid for it.  And then the fun began!  I've shot this old girl a few times and really do love it!  A again thanks every one of you! I'm here till I'm not so new anymore!

Thanks Slumlord, and the addiction has taken hold!  I'm a signmaker by trade and my work takes me all over, I see a lot of small gun shops as I travel to install and service signs. I think I'll be hard pressed not to stop in some I've passed up it the past for lack of time..you never know until you look.  I've shot a lot of rifles in my years but few with the character of the Stevens.  Fun stuff! I've always loved hand loading and casting bullets and this brings it to a new level. Again, thanks to all of you for such helpful attitudes and the wealth of information.  Someday I hope to help as much as my knowledge allows.