J. Stevens A&T Co. Pat. Oct 29.89 - Model 45? . . . .

Hello, I hoping to get some assistance identifying and possible value on a recent piece I acquired.

It is stamped "45" and "0" on the end of the action (behind the foregrip).
The Barrel has "11XXX" and "1" on it, and does not look to be a pope barrel, but a lighter weight "No 1" version. 
28" long. (not the standard 26") Half octagon. (so longer and lighter then normal).

Chambered in 22 LR (not the more common 25 Stevens).
It also has a numbers matching Swiss butt plate.

Front site looks to be a "Beach Combination" flip sight with ivory post and looped pin bead.
(Lyman No.5) - with pat info stamped into outer ring (ending in JJLY14.91)

Rear site is a tang, which appears to be original, Stevens model (like a #104 or #108) WITH a thumb screw, but NO wind-age, and a fixed .050 eyecup. (so a cross between a 100 and a 104)

Action is an older Model 44, with the curved mainspring, and a "7'oclock" extractor. Single trigger - not DST.

My best guess so far is that based on the stamping and combination of barrel, action, and sights - that it should date about 1889-1894 for manufacture (some time after 1889 but before 1900 (or even before Apr. 17, 1894).
--Using the logic that if it was manufactured post 1894 - then the barrel would NOT have the Oct.29.89 patent stamping.)

Straight stock - no pistol grip!.  Swiss buttplate.

While I don't have full access to catalogs (only sparse web images here and there) - I could not find a direct match as far back at Catalog #50 of 1902.  I have not been able to find enough web info on catalogs prior to that.


She looks to be a bit of an "Odd Duck" for the higher end Model 45, but on an older 44 action, with lighter barrel, swiss butt, improved but not top end sights
(and single trigger).

Any feedback and assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You. 

Rocketnutz wrote on Mar 29^th, 2019 at 12:54pm:


Logic does not apply to Stevens' system of marking its products. That brl. may have been in inventory years before it was assembled to a rcvr.

Rocketnutz wrote on Mar 29^th, 2019 at 3:45pm:


You're right, a little unusual--26" #2 brl. was standard, but #1 was available at the same price.  That combination of sights was called the "D" package, for about $4 extra.

But something new to me is that screw head on top of the hammer. Does it regulate sear engagement, for adjusting trigger pull?

Rocketnutz wrote on Mar 29^th, 2019 at 5:26pm:


Short of removing the hammer to inspect it, you can turn the screw in or out to determine the result on pull.   

The screw in the hammer is a new one to me. I'm curious as to what its function is. I doubt that it's factory but with Stevens you can never be 100% sure. Sights are easy to change and to be truthful there is no way to know who put them there and as long as they are correct it doesn't matter. I go with tang sights or scopes on a lot of guns because my old eyes shoot better with them.

As everybody has noted, the screw in the hammer IS the most interesting thing about this rifle.  Moreover, while what Red says makes sense as to its probable purpose, I can't say I've ever seen the like before on any rifle.  So come on, Rocketnutz; play with it and tell us what you discover.

Bill Lawrence

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