I own three 44s the earliest of which is a 32/40 with the 7 O'Clock extractor and the beefed up hammer, number 1065x. The next was a 32 long rimfire that I had converted to centerfire, number 1109x, 7 O'Clock extractor. The third is an original 22 LR number 3853x with the 6 O'clock extractor. The first two have the visible  lever adjustment screw to the right of the hammer but the later one doesn't. Just wondering why they changed it. I like the early ones because they are so easy to get to. I know that Stevens numbers are a Chinese jigsaw puzzle but can any one narrow down the approximate dates of manufacture?

Stevens model 44 rifles with the 7 o'clock extractors are pre 1902. Model 44's were discontinued in 1932 when the 417 walnut hill rifles were introduced. If your 44 rifle has the Stevens A&T marking it was made pre 1916. The later Savage made Stevens model 44's after 1920 had full round barrels and were marked Stevens Arms Company.

I wish that Phil Way (uscra112) was still with us as he was compiling Stevens model 44 serial numbers and could have narrowed it down a little closer as to when your rifle was made.

The 7 o’clock extractor was very weak and the adjustment was needed more on the rifles with higher powered cartridges than the rimfire. It’s kind of interesting that the change from 7-6 o’clock more or less coincided with the development of the 44 1/2 and the end of center fire cartridges in the 44.

Since you have both, it’s pretty easy to see that there really is no place to put the adjustment screw when the extractor is centered instead of bent. It’s easier to see on models of larger calibers than 22 as that extractor is more narrow.

Post #22 will be helpful, the whole thread is worth reading and bookmarking.
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