Author Topic: Anyone else have a Stevens 44 1/2 rifle? (Read 3773 times)

Selmer · « **on:** June 02, 2006, 07:22:40 AM »

I inherited this masterpiece from my great-grandfather. His is in .22 rimfire, he used it for match shooting. He purchased it new with a 6x Stevens external adjustment scope in 1916. It is THE most accurate firearm I've ever had the pleasure of shooting, especially with match target ammunition, it's partial to Wolf. Just curious if I'm the only lucky one....
selmer

marlinman93 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 02, 2006, 12:46:27 PM »

Nope, you're not the only lucky one! I have 4 Stevens on the 44 1/2 frame. There were numerous models made in either the 44 or 44 1/2.
The 44 1/2 is one of the strongest actions ever made in a falling block single shot! I always wondered why Stevens ever chambered them in .22 RF as the 44 was still around, and more than strong enough for that caliber.
Mine are a #49 in .25-21, #47 in .32-40, and #44 1/2 in .25-25

.32-40 #47

.25-21 #49

patw · « **Reply #2 on:** June 04, 2006, 09:24:30 AM »

I am another lucky SOB with a 44 1/2, in 32-40. It shoots incredibly well. If I could figure out how to, I would post a picture of it.

2520 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 06, 2006, 10:32:29 PM »

Me too! .22 rimfire plain Jane 44 1/2. Just recently aquired after a long search. These do not normally show up at gunshows in my neck of the woods. The hammer on this piece was installed incorrectly by whoever had it apart last and it took me awhile to figure it out. Need a new firing pin. Have owned several 44s in the past.

KENTDEP · « **Reply #4 on:** June 07, 2006, 11:55:48 AM »

I too am lucky to own a 44 1/2. I found my rifle locally at a small ma and pop shop that had it for sale on consignment for a guy. The owner of the store thought it was an 1885 Hi Wall.

My rifle has an old Weaver target scope and a Lyman 17 front sight. It's chambered for .22lr. and it shoots great. I got it for $500 out the door and was happy as heck.

Jay

marlinman93 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 07, 2006, 04:08:03 PM »

I bet you were "happy as heck" Jay! Can't even touch a 44 1/2 receiver for $500! I'd be happy to get a complete gun for that price too!
I've never seen one for sale around here. I'v had to travel to major shows to buy all of mine!

Horn · « **Reply #6 on:** June 12, 2006, 03:08:57 AM »

I got mine when My grandfather Passed away. He had an extensive Stevens collection. The first times that I shot it it had an old external adjust scope but it was gone when I got it. It is in 22 cal and has an aftermarket Bull bbl,

As it was already drilled and tapped I mounted a 3X9 bushnell on it and it is a shooter.

Anyone have any information about a barrel maker named Peterson from Denver I think.

Selmer · « **Reply #7 on:** June 12, 2006, 09:52:22 AM »

I forgot to mention, mine also has fold-down Pope tang sight, at least that's what I was told it is. It has a changeable aperture disk, I don't have any extras, but have had it apart to clean it and oil it. It also has a front globe site with a removeable insert. I got some stamped inserts from Montana Arms? company that are too thin, so I had a spacer machined for it, now I have 2 dozen options for front sight!
selmer

marlinman93 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 12, 2006, 03:56:53 PM »

Quote from: Horn

I got mine when My grandfather Passed away. He had an extensive Stevens collection. The first times that I shot it it had an old external adjust scope but it was gone when I got it. It is in 22 cal and has an aftermarket Bull bbl,

As it was already drilled and tapped I mounted a 3X9 bushnell on it and it is a shooter.

Anyone have any information about a barrel maker named Peterson from Denver I think.

I got REALLY excited at your post! Hope you're going to tell us your Stevens .22 is a Peterson barreled Stevens?!!!!
A W Peterson (Axel) was one of the top barrelmakers in the early 1900's, and his specialty was fine .22 rimfire barrels.
Peterson originally was a partner to the great George Schoyen of Denver, Colo. and upon Schoyen's death took over the operation. At first he continued to mark barrels, "Geo. Schoyen Denver, Colo." but eventually changed to his own mark, "A W Peterson" and later when his son Roy joined him, "A W Peterson and Son"
Peterson was a fixture in schuetzen matches around Denver, as an accomplished shooter, and expert gun maker. In addition to fine barrels, he also made target scopes that were well liked by match shooters.
Peterson purchased his shop from Schoyen's widow, and except for a one year stint under John Browning in Ogden, Utah, he spent his entire work carreer in Denver. He died in 1946 at age 86, still working in his shop with son Roy.
Hope this helps.

Horn · « **Reply #9 on:** June 12, 2006, 05:09:22 PM »

Thanks for the information about Mr. Petersons I have 2 of his barrels in the house right now one on a Ballard and the one on the 44 1/2 the ballard is marked AW Peterson and I can not be sure of the mark on the 44 1/2 as it is covered by the weaver mounts on it now ( I think that I need to remove the modern scope and mounts and find a more time appropriate one for it) The 44 1/2 has a 20 inch barrell with a full inch OD which looks short but is a joy to shoot. The ballard is 26 1/2 length.

Sorry for straying off of the 44 1/2 topic but I am kinda excited now.

Mike

Selmer · « **Reply #10 on:** June 13, 2006, 03:35:07 AM »

So how much are these 44 1/2's worth? Mine has about 70% case hardening left on the receiver, 90%+ bluing and no dings in the stock. It comes with a 6x Stevens scope that was part of the package, along with a Pope rear sight and front globe sight. I'd never sell it, but what's the value on something like this?
selmer

marlinman93 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 13, 2006, 01:19:02 PM »

Quote from: Selmer

So how much are these 44 1/2's worth? Mine has about 70% case hardening left on the receiver, 90%+ bluing and no dings in the stock. It comes with a 6x Stevens scope that was part of the package, along with a Pope rear sight and front globe sight. I'd never sell it, but what's the value on something like this?
selmer

A good question, but one that really can't be fairly answered without a close inspection of the gun. There are way too many variables in old singleshot rifles, and Stevens had many options and models!
One thing I can tell you is the actions for an original 44 1/2 can get $500-$600 any day of the week! Not sure if your tang sight is actually the Pope, or the H sight, but both are desireable, and will bring $300 most the time. A Stevens scope with good optics will bring $300 if it's good inside and out!From there, it depends on which version of the 44 1/2 you have. Models like the 49 Walnut Hill, with set triggers, and factory engraving can easily bring $4,000 or more depending on condition. Plain jane models of the standard 44 1/2 will bring over $1,000 in decent shape, with good bores.
Full bore Stevens-Pope Schuetzen models can bring prices the average gun owner would pay for a safe full of guns!
Can't get much closer without a visual inspection of your particular model.
Here's a picture of what Stevens referred to as their "H" sight:

Selmer · « **Reply #12 on:** June 14, 2006, 02:57:52 AM »

Nope, mine isn't an H sight. Mine has very good cut checkering with a semi-beavertail forend. No engraving, but everything is in excellent condition. I don't have a borescope to check the bore itself, but I know that with Wolf Gold Match Target ammo and the Stevens scope I can literally write my name at 50 yds with it off of a bench, it's absolutely amazing! I know it sounds crazy, but I did it to show the gun off for my father-in-law, he couldn't believe the ten-shot group I fired at that range with the match ammo, he thought may be one or two in that hole and the rest missed. I showed him otherwise. The scope is in excellent condition, but it was restored a couple years ago by a firm in Ohio, can't remember the name, they did a fantastic job. Other than that, it is relegated to the wall and the occasional bragging day at the range, I love it when my brother-in-law thinks he has his .22 sighted in and challenges me to a shoot-off, he never wins, but he keeps trying! I'm absolutely astounded at the accuracy of this rifle, are they all like that?
selmer

marlinman93 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 14, 2006, 11:51:49 AM »

Most likely the place in Ohio was Parson's Scope Repair. That wont hurt the value of the scope at all! They are the best at restoring these old scopes.
Yes, in good shape, I've yet to see a Stevens 44 or 44 1/2 that wasn't a true "tack driver"! I have 3 in 44 in additon to the 44 1/2's, and they are equally accurate! Two are in .22LR, and one in .32-20 caliber.

Selmer · « **Reply #14 on:** June 15, 2006, 03:24:35 AM »

marlinman, you hit the nail on the head, it was Parson's that did the restoration, they're the only one I could find that WOULD do it. It ran a couple hundred, but my mother footed the bill because it was her grandfather's. The scope is now very, very clear. One question about it, I'm not real familiar with the old target scopes. This one has an cover with a small aperture that screws onto the ocular lense end of the scope. Is this designed to nestle your eye right up to that aperture to gain a full field of view? This is how I've been having the best luck, but I'm not sure I'm doing it "right".
selmer

marlinman93 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 15, 2006, 12:40:30 PM »

Yes, most the time you have to get your eye pretty close to the rubber cup on the rear lense. It can be a little unerving with a larger caliber, but I've not been hit yet! My largest caliber that has one of these is a .38-55 Ballard, but it weighs about 12 lbs. so recoil doesn't move it much, and it slides forward in the mounts as it does recoil, so it works fine.

2520 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 16, 2006, 04:21:56 PM »

As I mentioned, mine is plain jane 44 1/2. It has a 26" barrel with Stevens markings; a #2 stamped on the bottom of the barrel under the fore end. It has a Stevens style tang sight but I think it is a reproduction. Looks too new. Has a "Rocky Mountian" front sight and no rear barrel sight, the slot filled with a blank. The bore is very good. I have not shot it at targets as yet- had some trouble with the 1/2 cock (solved) and I need a new firing pin. There was no half cock and the hammer fell on the firing pin when the action was closed. Did not do the pin any good. I am waiting for a new pin and a MVA front sight ordered from CPA. Should be here next week. I paid $650.00 for mine. It was the first one I had seen at any show in 20 years and only the second one I had ever seen. The rifle has been reblued and recased. Looks like the action was blued over the case hardening. Tang stock screws are loose and the wood is soft where they fit. Thinking about how to fix that. Glass them in maybe? Should have it shooting next week. I will let you know how well. 2520

coopershooter · « **Reply #17 on:** July 08, 2006, 09:44:10 AM »

i have a plain model 44 1/2 with half round half oct. barrel. it's in good shape but the bore is in bad shape. can it be relined? about how much should it cost. how accurate would a relined barrel be? thanks.

marlinman93 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 09, 2006, 01:34:37 PM »

Yes it can be easily relined, and a properly relined barrel will shoot as good as any new barrel. I would highly reccommend John Taylor at Taylor MAchine. His liner installations are superb in fit and accuracy. He can be reached at: john@johntaylormachine.com
You'll need to dicuss prices with him, but generally reline jobs go in the $200-$250 range. I'd guess a Stevens to be lower with their ease of barrel disassembly.

coopershooter · « **Reply #19 on:** July 09, 2006, 03:10:25 PM »

thank you!

jeff · « **Reply #20 on:** July 17, 2006, 03:19:26 AM »

Yep, got one.

Like it, want more. looking for money and accepting donations.

Selmer · « **Reply #21 on:** July 17, 2006, 03:31:57 AM »

Wow, where did you get that rifle?!?! Is that a repro or original? Whatever it is, it's gorgeous!
selmer

Selmer · « **Reply #22 on:** July 17, 2006, 03:32:08 AM »

Wow, where did you get that rifle?!?! Is that a repro or original? Whatever it is, it's gorgeous!
selmer

jeff · « **Reply #23 on:** July 17, 2006, 04:46:35 AM »

The rifle was built by Paul Shuttleworth in 2002 www.singleshotrifles.com

It was a retirement gift from me to myself. Engraved by Ken Hurst, 26", 28" and 30" barrels chambered in 218 Mashburn Bee, 30-40 Krag and 38-55 Winchester. I decided to go with new steel to accomodate the preasures produced by the Krag and Bee. The stock is fiddleback maple. Not shown are the two other Lyman Target Spots that were acquired afterwards to eliminate having to change scope settings.

coopershooter · « **Reply #24 on:** October 03, 2006, 11:07:30 AM »

GO JEFF!!!!!

Selmer · « **Reply #25 on:** October 03, 2006, 01:47:44 PM »

Dang....wish I had that kind of bread....maybe when I retire in a few years I will, wait, nope, make that more like 38 years!
Selmer