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Dating Stevens Model 44 (Read 101540 times)

slumlord44 Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2849 Location: Lebanon, Illinois 62254 Joined: Dec 21^st, 2007	Re: Dating Stevens Model 44 Reply #45 - Jun 26^th, 2014 at 9:23pm	Print Post
	I have seen various theories on what happened to the Stevens records. Sort of like who really killed JFK? Lots of theories but no one will probably ever know for certain.


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uscra112 Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 4079 Location: Switzerland of Ohio Joined: May 7^th, 2007	Re: Dating Stevens Model 44 Reply #46 - Jun 26^th, 2014 at 10:43pm	Print Post
	Maybe I'm giving it too much credence due to current events? Whatever, they're gone, so reconstructing a time scale based on a survey is all we can hope for. Phil

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waterman Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2825 Location: Behind the Redwood Curtain Joined: Jun 9^th, 2004	Re: Dating Stevens Model 44 Reply #47 - Jun 27^th, 2014 at 2:29am	Print Post
	Back in 1953, when I was 13, I found a book in our local library called "Merchants of Death". The book was about those American firms who profited from the sales of weapons during the 1914-1918 war. (My aunt was the librarian and pointed out the book. That's probably why I remember the details.). Anyhow, the writers of the book wrote that Westinghouse burned the Stevens records.


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Rick Fischer Participating Member Offline Posts: 24 Joined: Jun 5^th, 2014	Re: Dating Stevens Model 44 Reply #48 - Jun 27^th, 2014 at 1:13pm	Print Post
	Creedmoormatch, thanks for the reply. If that's the way it came from the factory, that's the way it will stay. It just didnt look very secure, so I thought it might be a post production kludge. If the notation at Wisners is correct, it is "early" production, what ever that means. Yeah, the date of manufacture will remain a mystery, but still, I'm curious.


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Bent_Ramrod Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1451 Location: Southern Arizona Joined: Feb 8^th, 2006	Re: Dating Stevens Model 44 Reply #49 - Jun 27^th, 2014 at 5:27pm	Print Post
	That's a very common mainspring arrangement, both for Favorites and for 44's. The spring should have a slightly concave end to keep it indexed on the peg, and the metal at the rear of the frame and inletting in the grip area of the stock will keep it from wandering out in any case. There was a guy (think his name was John Kubelka or something) who sold aftermarket springs of that type for several years. They would primarily fit Favorites, but would work on 44's too, in a pinch. I e-mailed him about a year ago but he'd run out of stock and wasn't planning on making any more. I should have bought a couple extras, I guess.


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waterman Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2825 Location: Behind the Redwood Curtain Joined: Jun 9^th, 2004	Re: Dating Stevens Model 44 Reply #50 - Jun 27^th, 2014 at 6:38pm	Print Post
	My experience (3 of 4 rifles) is that broken mainsprings of that type are common. Anyone who shoots one needs a couple of extra mainsprings. I tried substituting a stronger spring. It made the trigger pull much too heavy.


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uscra112 Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 4079 Location: Switzerland of Ohio Joined: May 7^th, 2007	Re: Dating Stevens Model 44 Reply #51 - Jun 29^th, 2014 at 4:23pm	Print Post
	The shape of the spring is crucial. The geometry of the 44 action moves the force vector from the spring much closer to the hammer pivot as the rifle is cocked, when using the OEM spring shape. This is why good 44s have such a light trigger pull, and require so little effort to cock. Use spring of the wrong shape, and this advantage is negated. Look at the geometry of the last 44 - the model 417 - to see how to negate this feature entirely. Sadly, the design wisdom of Joshua Stevens seems to have been forgotten or ignored by his successors.

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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 15994 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: Dating Stevens Model 44 Reply #52 - Jun 29^th, 2014 at 7:52pm	Print Post
	waterman wrote on Jun 27^th, 2014 at 2:29am: Back in 1953, when I was 13, I found a book in our local library called "Merchants of Death". The book was about those American firms who profited from the sales of weapons during the 1914-1918 war. (My aunt was the librarian and pointed out the book. That's probably why I remember the details.). Anyhow, the writers of the book wrote that Westinghouse burned the Stevens records. I'd be inclined to believe that over many other stories, since "Merchants of Death" was published in 1934, and close enough to the records burning for the author to have gathered first hand knowledge from individuals who knew. Good info Waterman!

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Gone Fly Fishing Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2071 Joined: Feb 26^th, 2007	Re: Dating Stevens Model 44 Reply #53 - Jun 29^th, 2014 at 8:05pm	Print Post
	Quote: Anyhow, the writers of the book wrote that Westinghouse burned the Stevens records. Hi Waterman -- Am I correct that it was some time ago that you read this particular book? Most published authors are scrutinized by proof readers, and then editors. Are you certain that the words "alleged to have burned " were not included in that sentence ? C.M.M.


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uscra112 Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 4079 Location: Switzerland of Ohio Joined: May 7^th, 2007	Re: Dating Stevens Model 44 Reply #54 - Jun 29^th, 2014 at 8:14pm	Print Post
	It looks as though that book is available on Amazon, but only as a Kindle, which I neither have one nor want one. Anybody with a Kindle up for some reading? (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)

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Rick Fischer Participating Member Offline Posts: 24 Joined: Jun 5^th, 2014	Re: Dating Stevens Model 44 Reply #55 - Jul 10^th, 2014 at 1:15pm	Print Post
	bent_ramrod, thanks for the reply. My spring has no such concavity, and I was thinking of grabbing my die grinder and adding one. My spring must be a replacement. Now if I can just find my die grinder.


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Larry D Full Member Offline Posts: 164 Location: Ventura ca. Joined: Jan 12^th, 2013	Re: Dating Stevens Model 44 Reply #56 - Aug 29^th, 2014 at 1:28pm	Print Post
	I have a 44 in 22lr # 16831 side extractor .......Larry


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Reverend Al Oldtimer Offline Posts: 568 Location: Victoria BC Canada Joined: Jun 25^th, 2016	Re: Dating Stevens Model 44 Reply #57 - May 8^th, 2019 at 2:16pm	Print Post
	uscra112 wrote on Jun 9^th, 2014 at 5:17pm: A little summary so far: Highest number on my list with side extractor is 16260 - Gunbroker 415163717 Lowest number seen to date with centre extractor is 18040 - a model 45 DST owned by frankeore Grant wrote that the center extractor started in 1901. Highest number seen with screw pivots is 14542 - was on Gunbroker. Lowest number seen with two-piece bolts is 15329 - was on Gunbroker. In the 1903 catalog they tout the new design, so it must have been implemented between the 1900 catalog publication and 1903. According to catalogs, no centerfire Model 44 actions after 1903, except .25-20 and .32-20 Also from 1903 on the Models 45, 47, and up were on the 44 1/2 action, so any such on a 44 action must be 1903 or earlier. Highest 44 action in a large centerfire caliber is 25423 - GunBroker 407393445 - a .32-40 Highest centerfire action to date is 52341, a .25-20, Gunbroker 410040824 Highest centerfire caliber barrel is 61674, .25 caliber in my collection. Highest Model 44 rimfire to date is 90039 - Gunbroker # 421669982 1929 catalog does not mention [i]any[/i] centerfire calibers for the Model 44, only .22/.25/.32 rimfires. All Model 44 style actions discontinued in 1932. Except model 417 which seems to have a new s/n series. Just so that you can update your list again, I just bought a Stevens 44 in .25-20SS that is just slightly higher in serial number than your previous high number (your barrel #61,674) with my rifle being #61,820. 26" half round / half octagon with a 6 o'clock extractor. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)

	I may have passed my "Best Before" date, but I haven't quite reached my "Expiry" date yet ...
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cheatin_charlie Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 346 Location: ohio Joined: Jan 10^th, 2009	Re: Dating Stevens Model 44 Reply #58 - May 8^th, 2019 at 4:18pm	Print Post
	Just bought a Model 44 in 22lr at auction about a month ago. Serial # 72973. Looks like a capitol I in a circle stamped into action. Side of action stamped "Trade Mark Stevens". Barrel stamped J. Stevens Arms Co. Good shooting rifle with terrible trigger. It has the newer case hardening not the Stevens ripple type.


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Reverend Al Oldtimer Offline Posts: 568 Location: Victoria BC Canada Joined: Jun 25^th, 2016	Re: Dating Stevens Model 44 Reply #59 - May 8^th, 2019 at 6:43pm	Print Post
	I also see that there is another 44 Stevens in .25-20SS very similar to the one I just bought in an upcoming Canadian auction that is listed as serial number 79,810. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)

	I may have passed my "Best Before" date, but I haven't quite reached my "Expiry" date yet ...
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