I only saw a couple of them back in my belly-shooting days, 1958-1960.  They were set up just like the one in the photo.  No iron sights in the league we shot in.

I've never handled one, but I've been told that the hammer went to full cock when the action closed, and with that heavy spring, letting it down was a challenge.  Cocking it with the breech block closed was even more of a challenge.   

Could you open the action with the hammer cocked?   

Was there even a half-cock position?   

Any safe gun handling issues?  What if you were prone, ready to shoot, and the range officer calls "cease fire"?

On the 418, full cock is where half cock would be on a 44, if you pull the hammer back to where full cock would be on a 44, the 418 is on safe, or as safe as can be without a real safety. I’d imagine that it would be the same on a 417.

My 417 doesn't behave that way. One notch on the hammer, full cock where 1/2 cock would be on a 44, and nothing else. Drawing the hammer waaaay back does not latch it. Cleaning rod clears the hammer (barely) when action is open and hammer left in its "natural" position - frankly the extractor is more of a hindrance in that regard.

While admittedly heavier than expected, I don't find the hammer to be  hard to lower. (I always draw it back out of sear engagement before pulling trigger to lower it into it's resting position against the breech block, on an empty chamber of course.)

My trigger pull is a very consistent clean 3 pounds. Not ideal for fine work, IMO, but certainly usable. I would like to stone the trigger/hammer a bit but then I think about the hassles of finding replacements if a mistake is made. I think I'll leave it alone.

I had wondered about that too, so finally thought to consult my old copy of "Savage and Stevens Arms and History", Bill West. According to a page he reproduced from a 1939 catalog, they were offered in the following variations, all according to their sighting equipment.

No. 417-0: with Lyman 52L extension sight
No. 417-1: with Lyman 48L receiver sight
No. 417-2: with Lyman 144 sight
No. 417-3: without front or rear sights

Referencing Stroebel regarding the sights:

Lyman 52L base was clamped to the sight bar on the LH side of the receiver and contained a round bar that extended rearward to put the body of the sight close to the shooter's eye, with notches in it to select said distance.

Lyman 48L was a standard 48 which (I'm assuming) attached to the sight bar on the LH side of the receiver. Assuming because there's no illustration in Stroebel's book, and the 1939 ad which illustrates a rifle with Lyman 48 lacks closeup detail.

Lyman 144 is a bit of a mystery to me as it's not mentioned or illustrated in Stroebel, nor the Stevens 1939 ad. There is a No. 44 lumped in with Lyman's standard tang sights though. Could the 144 be variation of that tang sight? Perhaps a windage adjustable tang sight variant, similar to the 103? The "44" appellation makes me suspect something specific for the Stevens 44. I would wish to be set straight!

Thanks for the info...Now I'm trying to ascertain just which model of the WH my buddy has....Awaiting pictures which should help a bit.I had no idea there were so many variations but that's Stevens for ya.