Quote:


How many here where bidding against each other?

Frank

Hi All, Newbie here. Just recently got a Stevens 44 in .25-20SS after an extensive 3 year search of auctions and dealers both local and online. As I focused on the Model 44 over Dec. thru Feb. I noted the details provided by the photos - which might be of some interest to this group.

My initial source was limited to Frank DeH. excellent book. He notes that the Stevens 44 of 1894 underwent changes mostly in the early years after 1900. Details of the changes are noted and explained but not the sequence especially regarding relation to serial/nos. So I recorded all I could from intenet sales or auctions. This is what I hope is useful empirical data.

Production began with the Early model 44 which was a large version of the Favorite rimfire rifles. These have Extractors in the 7o'clock position and Screws threaded into right side of frame.

Then the Screws for the Breech Block and Lever were changed to the stronger "Pins with Captive Screws" which I call the Middle version.

The Late version has the Pins and the Extractor now in the 6o'clock position.

Later versions have other improvements such as the "Spring and Plunger" in the Lever to prevent droop.

After tracking about 35 examples of model 44s - ONLY in .25-20SS these are my observations:

S/N's 85xx and 11243 are Early versions. #'s 14889 and 15871 are Middle versions. #'s 17938 and 18295 are Late versions. All higher S/N's that had enough detailed photos were Late.

A dealer on Gun Broker "Dukes Guns" included this info - "S/N's 25000 to 55000 were produced from 1907 to 1912. Don't know where this came from, however it fits a timeline that has S/N's 15871 and 17983 bracket the Middle to Late transition being made about 1903 or '04.

So I felt confident when I found mine that it was a Late version. This is what I got: a Stevens Model 44 in .25-20SS cal. S/N 42292 with a 28" No. 2 weight barrel, standard Ideal rifle. It has the Pins and 6o'clock extractor and the Lever Plunger/Spring so is a Later version.

JP

rodneys wrote on Mar 4^th, 2015 at 9:14pm:


Rodney,

Could you update us on prospects for "a batch of hammers and breechblocks"?

Thanks,
Grisen

Here are some photos of the lugged hammer and b block, the 44 hammer and b block and the water jet cut parts. notice the undercut on the breechblock. the original lugged hammer only locked up on the firing pin on this sample.

more

Speaking for Rodney....the blanks can be machined into either one.  And making a side extractor block is actually easier than making a center extractor version.   

Phil

I have two of each, BB and Hammer, on order with payment via PayPal transfer.
Looking forward to receiving the parts in the Mails.
Best Regards,
Chev. William