I knew that my new Stevens would require a good cleaning and some rust abatement but was surprised, when I discovered that it had been fitted with a through bolt.
The rifle has a heavy 25 5/8" barrel, chambered for the 218 Bee. At the time of its through bolt modification, the top tang was shortened and a screw in the lower tang eliminated one or more of the serial numbers. The remaining serial numbers are 3(.375"hole)43. It appears to have had a variety of scope mounts fitted and currently wears a Redfield mount and Weaver scope. The maker is unknown and I have some questions that I hope that someone here can answer.
Does anyone recognize the through bolt modification?
Does anyone know J. BUNCH?
I suspect that the new lower tang hole eliminated one serial number, as a serial number in the 3,000 range makes more sense than one in the 30,000 range. Yes?
Thanks for your help
Otto

Looks like you will have a fine looking rifle when it is finished. Yes, a serial number in the 3000 range makes since, it certainly wouldn’t be in the 30,000 range, but a three digit number is possible too. I have one in the 800 or 900 range. How about a picture of the bottom of the tang with the serial number?

After looking at a couple of my 44 1/2’s, it looks like the hole obliterating part of the serial number is actually where the original screw location for the mainspring, but drilled and countersunk much larger. There is a space in the serial numbers on my rifles where the threaded hole for the mainspring is,(on either side of of the hole). I agree with you that the partial number sure looks like a 2. I see your rifle is missing the mainspring, do you have one for it?

In my estimation, chipmaker, your through bolt modification is very clever and well thought out.  And in my collecting experience, such modifications are certainly not "common", especially on Stevens models.

Bill Lawrence

Some years ago I did a through-bolt mod to one of my 44s, but I didn't do it like that.  I doubt that's it's common.  

That complex shaped block method might have been conceived to deal with a broken upper tang?

Moving the comb forward souls like a plausible reason.

Couple pictures of what I am talking about.  This also hold the front of the stock solid vertically to the frame as well as horizontally.
Bob

Thanks to all for your comments.
I'm still looking for someone who knows who J. BUNCH was/is.
bobw
Yes. The 44 1/2 frame does have the milled radius between the top and bottom of the tangs and the Stevens stocks do have an extension that fits into this area. It seems as if the stocktaker deleted this feature on this stock.
I checked several original Stevens stocks and none have the stock extension tightly inletted into the milled radius. The stock pictured is typical of my factory stocks and the extension is only about .100" long. 
I'd agree that tight inletting between the frame and the front of the stock would increase strength but I'm not sure that this was routinely done by the factory.
Do any Stevens 44 1/2 rifle owners have a rifle with tight inletting into the radius milled inside the frame between the top and bottom tangs?
Does anyone have a picture of how CPA does their through bolt conversion?
Does anyone have a picture of any other Stevens 44 1/2 through bolt conversions?
Otto