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Unless I'm wrong (certainly wouldn't be the 1st time) the rifle is a Stevens 44.  But it's in a caliber (28-30) I would expect to find in a 44 1/2.  Comments?

Wayne

Dellet, a couple of the photos display the the serial number as 40343.

Wayne

That’s what I get for going from memory. I  could of sworn there was minimum bid that was high and why I lost interest.

Still a nice example and the lugged hammer is a plus.

Only thing that looks a little out of place is the hardening.

The lugged hammer provides extra support to the breech block upon firing. And I agree that the case hardening looks a little odd, torch hardening?

Strange too that the caliber is right under the address.  I've owned a few Stevens and the caliber was always close to the receiver and the address further down the barrel towards the muzzle.

or is that aspect just strange to me?

marlinguy wrote on Oct 26^th, 2022 at 12:49pm:

I took another closer look at the pictures. I think the barrel and the rest of the rifle has been refinished. I think you could be right about the engraving, or possibly after polishing the barrel for re-bluing, someone used an engraver to deepen the caliber marking.
Still not a bad rifle if it sells for the right price.

Looks to me that the font on the barrel serial no. is different than that on the receiver.

Regards,
Joe

A Super Targetspot, depending on reticle focus, is 24 3/8 inches long, so it would appear to me that the barrel is very close to, or is 26 inches. Having the lugged hammer would indicate a 32-40 or 38-55, if not 28-30. It looks to me to be refinished and checkered at some time, but otherwise factory. I once owned a twin, sans the scope bases and checkering, and in much higher condition, but a very accurate and fun rifle to shoot. Outside condition would not detract from that. As others have said, it would be worthwhile depending on price, and honest appraisal of barrel condition.

I think the caliber stamp has been filled with White-Out or white paint to enhance readability.

Also, while the lugged hammer is so often seen on .32-40 and larger 44s, the .28-30 would also almost surely merit one.

Bill Lawrence

Forum member uscra112 can likely answer this definitively.  But my memory is that the lugged Model 44 hammers were dropped (as were 44 chamberings that were deemed to need them) when the 44-12 action was introduced in 1903/1904.  Also, I don't believe they were ever used on the 100-series of pre-44 rifles.  Thus I'd date them to roughly 1900-1903.

Bill Lawrence

AS far as the Model 44 in question possibly having a replaced barrel, note that the serial number on the barrel and the lower tang match: 40343.

Bill Lawrence

Ah, that likely explains the very slightly different fonts.

Bill Lawrence

The bidding is up to $2325!

The more you pay, the more it's worth!

Hope the buyer has $$ left over for brass.

Look closely at the base of the tang sight.  There seems to be a little lever (?) there that I haven't seen before.

Thought that might be it.  None of mine have it.

uscra112 wrote on Oct 30^th, 2022 at 12:26am:


I had a sight with the same lever.ill see if I still have it.

uscra112 wrote on Oct 30^th, 2022 at 12:26am:


here is another.

Thanks, y'all.  The learning never stops here.

I contacted the seller about this when the rifle first came up for sale.  I just received this very strange reply from him, copied and pasted here:

Dear Sir,
as much as I agree with you, I am brought these from our appraiser who is the person that dictates what the firearm is that is brought in then brings it to me. I in turn only do the research and write about it photograph it and post it. That being said , I unfortunately have to keep my mouth shut when I come across discrepancies and go with it, as the last time I ( a woman ) pointed out that I believed he was wrong I got ripped up and down. So , you know and I know what it is and apparently so does every one else that has seen it. all I can do is leave it at that unfortunately. as he monitors the postings I make and if I post anything that contradicts what he has stated it will be a whole lot of ripping into me again. 

Mistaken listings are par for the course.  I see Favorites presented as Model 44s about 5 or 6 times a year.  These estate-breakers aren't as expert as we are, (they probably know antique furniture a lot better), and many if not most are giving the grunt-work of setting up the listings to underlings who know even less, like this poor woman.  Sometimes it has worked to my favor, when a piece was so mis-identified that most potential buyers never even looked twice at it. 

OTOH I'll have to admit that, when I first started collecting single-shot rifles, I paid way too much a time or two, out of naivety.

So it goes. 

I also hope that, especially because otherwise the "winner" might try 44-1/2-safe loads in it.

Bill Lawrence

Sold for $2775, I guess Mr. Nash wanted it badly!

Jimmy crickets I might have to have my friend put a couple of my pieced together 44's  on gunbroker....

Its hard to throw stones at online gunsale dingdongs when even big auction houses that know better misrepresent stuff ie this poor cast frame 3F with a 32-40 barrel.

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gnoahhh wrote on Nov 3^rd, 2022 at 11:55am:


I would agree with you IF this rifle wasn't a concave top receiver. All concave top receivers are cast #3 actions. Flat top receivers with a 3 line address could possibly be a forged, but not a concave top.
I own two forged 3 line address Ballard rifles. One is an engraved 6 1/2 Rigby, and the other a #4 Perfection.

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Hi also own a three line address 32-40 with all numbers matching but mine is a cast receiver which everyone knows doesnt exist. So yeah that concave top ballard could be originally a 32-40. I still think odds are against it. That dovetail in the receiver is a nice touch. Ouch

Zack T wrote on Nov 3^rd, 2022 at 2:49pm:


Being concave top it's already a bit weaker than the early flat top #3. Take away a little more metal with the dovetail, and it's amazing it even holds up to BP loads if it's cast. 
And sad that somebody did this to what was likely a pretty nice #3F pistol grip receiver too. I'd love to see the internals to see if it has the void of a cast receiver!

Zack T wrote on Nov 3^rd, 2022 at 6:01pm:


How true. But, with inflation spiraling the way it is, it won't take long for the money spent on it now to become a bargain in the near future. I guess.