Hummmm, Now I am beginning to think that perhaps my M47 is really a bunch of diverse parts: a) receiver with double set triggers, loop lever, "25cal" pins, 7 o'klock extractor, and well fitted forged breechblock, b) Lyman 1A tang sight, c) M47 stock + #3 buttplate, d) standard M44 forestock, e) barrel of confusing origin with non-standard bore, and f) a "rocky mtn" barrel sight that is way too high for Lyman 5A beech front sight. 

It is proving to be a good shooter. Reminds me of a higher quallity European underlever hammer double I have that was assembled during/after WW-2 from diverse parts and never totally fitted together, which I did. Deadly patterns with original-style BP loads and capable of 23-25/25s at BP trap shoots and deady on decoyed ducks.

Grisen

slumlord44 wrote on Dec 19^th, 2014 at 8:46pm:


No argument from me.  Competition rifles especially get modified to the every successive owner's whims.   Still, what he's got is pretty close to a stock 47, except for the sights and that odd barrel.

Thanks BP!

Weight alone differentiates my 9,0 lb M47 from those 12-12,5 lb M51 Schuetzen rifles.

I also suspect that some or more of the hints that I have received of schuetzen rifles on M44 receivers "always" having lugged hammers were/are based on just the information you quote from JJ Grant.

Anything about M47 re lugged hammers or other strengthening measures?

Thanks again for contributing to my short and swift course on Stevens M44 rifles.
Grisen

BP,

OK, that would seem to settle that. Guess I will be the old guy that gets to "personalize" this old M47 with a lugged hammer -- maybe.

Thanks,
Grisen

All the same.   I have 44s and 45s, nothing higher on the scale.

Hello!
Is there any "rhyme or rythym" to the different diameters of breechblock/lever pins? In this thread there are at least three:
1) some of Phil's are 0,22XX"
2) some of Phil's and mine are 0,25XX"
3) Chev. Williams' 0,29XX" from above post.

Also, re concern about strength of hammer screws for lugged hammers, Chev. Williams' reports 0,22XX for hammer screw on one of his M44s that does not have a lugged hammer. This diameter is in same "class" as the 0,22XX" breechblock and lever pins, noted above. Anyone have a diameter for screws on lugged hammers?

Thanks,
Grisen

Happy New Year!!

svartkruttgris#369 wrote on Dec 31^st, 2014 at 8:05pm:


There is.   

The solid frame 44 was first introduced in 1894 as the "New Ideal".   Jim Grant believed that the serial numbers used for the "sideplate" models were carried on, and that the solid frames started about s/n 2000. My Model 108 New Ideal with the ".22 caliber" screws is s/n 2023, which is thus very early.   I have not logged any other rifles that are clearly 1894 style New Ideals in my database.  

In 1896 Joshua Stevens retired, the direction of the company was taken over by Irving Page, (the CFO), and the basic rifle was re-designated Model 44.  As far as I can see the ".25 caliber" screws start there, around s/n 4500, (maybe,  I'm a little unsure as I am judging screw size by photos until I get to my s/n 5426, which has the .25 caliber screws.) 

Around 1902/03 the design was changed to a 2-part "bolt" that was passed thru the frame and retained by a screw coming in from the right side.  This is the ".29xx" size that Chev William mentions.  There was no change after that, right up to 1940 when the very last rifles of the basic design were made.   The vast majority of Model 44s were sold after 1903.     

The high grade rifles with the lugged hammer fall between 1896 and 1903, as I see it, since from 1903 on the high grade rifles were made only on the 44 1/2 action.