Bought off Gunbroker and it is a mystery to me.  No markings at all except a tiny "I" (maybe) on the top left of the receiver and a 44 and a 6 on the lower tang.  Nothing on the barrel.  Has a brass(?) scope, low power, never saw one before.  Couple patches/screw holes on the scope top.  Optics are not so good with good size black flecks.  The stock was advertised as a replacement and is in excellent shape.  The receiver is a funny brown, looks anodized if that is possible.  It is seemingly in such good shape I am wondering if it is a reproduction, although the lever and hammer are worn some.  The buttplate is marked Fajen, which worries me.
Any opinions are very welcome. Did not have a 44 (do have a CPA) and now maybe I do.

Looks like a very much modified 44. Re blued, barreled,  and restocked. Never saw one in 30 Luger. Scope may be Litchert. Not sure of spelling. Someone here should recognize it.

The scope is a Wallensak. Under the rear cap, there should be a ocular lens cell that has a notch and pin to locate it.

A 30 Luger can be made from 38 Special brass, making it a 30 Luger R if it has a rim. 

Frank

The only markings anywhere are shown in pictures ReceiverTopMedium and TangMarkingsMedium.  I guess the '6' could be a '9'.

Care is needed when loading.  Have to keep the case protruding enough for the extractor to catch, which is more of an ejector, throws the case 10 feet.

Fine with me if the rifle is a kludge but it seems strange to put so much effort in a non-standard caliber and non-standard construction.

Looking at 44s that I have logged in my database, the number 44 stamped on the lower tang is just like one very late 44 in the log.   The lack of a 5-digit serial number is curious, but I have found one 414 that was proofed and serial numbered by BSA in England, with a 3 digit s/n.

Pure speculation, but maybe this is an action that was sold abroad....(?)

The .30 Luger is a 34,000 psi cartridge in the Quickload database.   That kind of pressure won't immediately damage a good, tight 44, but it's a bit much for a steady diet.

Yes I have learned the plates are for focus and parallax.  No caliber marking.  It was advertised as 30 Luger and I fireformed ~90 pieces of flimsy, easily crumpled brass.  Shot poorly (2" @ 50 yards) but then I did not know about the focus, and needed to badly.

Quote:


These sorts of results come about from the home workshops of folks who have no formal training, but who need something to occupy their time.  They are well intended folks but their creativity has gone esque.  It is very much like putting Jackson Pollack in a room, handing him a pail full of paint, a 6 inch wide house brush, and a 6 foot X 9 foot panel and shutting the door behind yourself on the way out.  Come back in three hours to see what has resulted, and well . .  .  .  .  .(you fill in the blanks). 

There is nothing sacrosanct anymore.  In an earlier time, the victim here (J.Stevens Model 44), would have been treated with and shown more respect and would have been given more rights as a defense against such atrocities.

Oh well, this is American, and everyone has the right to do as they may please.

At best, its a conversation piece !

Ran across a Stevens 0-44 1/2 that someone decided to try to convert to take .410 shotgun shells.

Yah, it sure is a record!   I'm sure it was made to shoot that "forager" ammo, but still.......

I don't think was fired much.  The recoil alone probably was a powerful dissuader.!    And the action pins aren't bent double.   

I'm going to liner that barrel, probably to make yet another .25-20 Stevens.  It actually looks pretty good on the action.  

Somewhere I've read that the Army did issue one or two smoothbored Trapdoors per regiment.