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Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) Dating Stevens Model 44 (Read 101600 times)
marlinguy
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Re: Dating Stevens Model 44
Reply #30 - Jun 10th, 2014 at 6:47pm
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I have Stevens Walnut Hill 44 frame, in .22LR, with 32" #3 weight half octagon barrel, engraved and DST, 6 o'clock firing pin. Pretty close to Frank's in #18137.
  

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oneatatime
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Re: Dating Stevens Model 44
Reply #31 - Jun 10th, 2014 at 8:43pm
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Interesting. I was just looking at the 1912 catalog. By then the Walnut Hill was on a 44 1/2 action and SSTs and DSTs were no longer available for 44s. Barrels were available up to 34 inches and in .25 or larger you could get a smokeless powder barrel for $3 extra and in No 2 or 3 weight only, a nickel steel barrel for $6 extra. Wonder if these barrels were marked differently?
  
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digitall423
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Re: Dating Stevens Model 44
Reply #32 - Jun 11th, 2014 at 7:14am
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My small frame side plate has a serial number of 2661. That is the only number to be found. it is stamped on the front of the action hidden by the fore arm. it is stamped on both the frame and the side plate.
Bill
  
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slumlord44
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Re: Dating Stevens Model 44
Reply #33 - Jun 11th, 2014 at 8:09pm
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Are you looking for sideplate info? Large frame or small frame or both?
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Dating Stevens Model 44
Reply #34 - Jun 12th, 2014 at 11:53am
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I think when one is accumulating serial number info on a maker who's records are gone, you need to be careful. Some general things will hold true, and often can come to some "general"" conclusions that apply to most guns. But like many of the old gun makers, Stevens continued to assemble some 44 frames after the catalog dropped that model. They didn't just melt down all those 44 parts once they stopped cataloging the model.
You'll also find an occasional gun with odd features for the serial number range, as it was not uncommon for a gun maker to find parts in a corner of the factory and assemble them into later guns. The idea back then was to make money, and tossing new old parts was taboo if they could be incorporated into use and save money.
  

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waterman
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Re: Dating Stevens Model 44
Reply #35 - Jun 12th, 2014 at 6:45pm
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Texasmac posted a reference that led to a Model 47 with a SN of 26140, which the seller claimed was made in 1910.  Any ideas as to why the seller was certain the year was 1910?  WAG?  My guess would be a few years earlier.
  
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uscra112
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Re: Dating Stevens Model 44
Reply #36 - Jun 13th, 2014 at 7:00am
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waterman wrote on Jun 12th, 2014 at 6:45pm:
Texasmac posted a reference that led to a Model 47 with a SN of 26140, which the seller claimed was made in 1910.  Any ideas as to why the seller was certain the year was 1910?  WAG?  My guess would be a few years earlier.


I'd only accept that claim if there was an original sales receipt.  From what we've accumulated so far the seller can't be proven wrong, but nothing so far is even remotely like proof that he's right.
  

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uscra112
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Re: Dating Stevens Model 44
Reply #37 - Jun 16th, 2014 at 1:39am
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I have my spreadsheet assembled.  About 40 listed so far. If anyone wants a copy, P/M me with a direct email address, (or tell me how to do attachments using the forum email).

BTW I turned up one for sale last night that does have what is claimed to be the original sales receipt, dated 1899.
  

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Rick Fischer
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Re: Dating Stevens Model 44
Reply #38 - Jun 17th, 2014 at 5:41am
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The attached picture shows the mainspring on my 46xxx Model 44.  Wisner's has two mainsprings listed.  Early, no hole, same as 1889 Favorite, and Intermediate, screw hole, same as 1894 Favorite.  My spring has no hole.

I'm not familiar with Favorites.  Is the 1889 and 1894 a year, or model number, or?

Is that arrangement on my gun original?  It seems to work, but it isn't the way I would design a gun.
  
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uscra112
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Re: Dating Stevens Model 44
Reply #39 - Jun 17th, 2014 at 6:20am
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Yes, so far as I know that's original.  None of mine have a spring with a hole, and that includes my 1894 Model 108.

Favorite model numbers are two digits, 17, 18, 20 for the smoothbore version, etc.    Those 4 digit numbers that are so often referredeto are dates of introduction for new versions.  As I get it, there are 1889s, then 1894, then 1915.   I saw and passed up what I now think was an 1889 at a gun show in April.  Shoulda bought it, even though it was a wreck.  

I know little about Favorites, since I'm much more interested in the Model 12 and Model 101 in the boy's rifle category. 
« Last Edit: Jun 17th, 2014 at 6:27am by uscra112 »  

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uscra112
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Re: Dating Stevens Model 44
Reply #40 - Jun 17th, 2014 at 3:36pm
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Gee, I've been letting the side down here.  Failing to pick up the barrel stamping break at 1916, when the "J.Stevens A&T"  name was changed by Westinghouse to "J.Stevens Arms".    Now I've gotta go back and look at 50 or so For Sale listings to see what that tells us.
  

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Rick Fischer
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Re: Dating Stevens Model 44
Reply #41 - Jun 25th, 2014 at 7:56am
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Dont know if this data is of any value, but there were three Model 44 barrels on ebay (i missed out on the good one!!).
1.  s/n 15632, J Stevens A & T...APR 17 94, .25 RF.
2.  s/n 26088, J Stevens A & T...APR 17 94, 22 LR.
3.
  
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Rick Fischer
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Re: Dating Stevens Model 44
Reply #42 - Jun 25th, 2014 at 7:58am
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Dang, just found the hot key for send!!

3.  33296, J Stevens A & T....APR 17 94, 22 LR.
  
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Gone Fly Fishing
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Re: Dating Stevens Model 44
Reply #43 - Jun 26th, 2014 at 6:18pm
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Quote:

Is that arrangement on my gun original? 


Rick-- 
       Your illustrated main spring is correctly configured (shaped) and correctly positioned in the action, but may not be an original O.E.M. part.  In order to opine that the spring is original O.E.M. J. Stevens, I would need to hold the spring in my hand for 20 seconds.

If it works the action, is that not enough ?

No one knows for certain when your Model 44 was made, so be accepting of that fact.  Unless you locate and consult with a clairvoyant.

C.M.M.
  
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Re: Dating Stevens Model 44
Reply #44 - Jun 26th, 2014 at 6:43pm
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All of the factory records were burned by Westinghouse right after WW1, to avoid having them become evidence a Congressional inquiry.  

Phil W.


Hi Phil -- 
          I certainly appreciate that you wish to help this person with his question/s.  At the same time, permit me to offer one addendum to your information.  That being the fact that it was never proven by the available direct evidence that Westinghouse Corporation personnel ever destroyed business records belonging to the J. Stevens A. & T.Co. in order to impede the work of the U.S. Congress.

However, I would hasten to add that some such allegations were alleged by certain individuals.

C.M.M.
  
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