Author Topic: how do i tell the date of manufacture of a stevens mod. 44 (Read 929 times)

coopershooter · « **on:** August 08, 2005, 03:51:03 AM »

i have a clean stevens mod. 44. i'm thring to figure out when it was made?
and what its worth. the outside is honest in 85%condition, some bluing wear. some handling wear on the wood(small scraches here and there) just a hint of case colors on the reciever. no bunged up screws. the bore is very rough, but shoots pretty good.
thanks for any help.
bobby.

marlinman93 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 08, 2005, 03:05:24 PM »

The 44 was made from the late 1800's to WWII. The position of the extractor will help narrow it down, but getting an exact date is not gonna happen with a Stevens.
What caliber is the rifle? Is the extractor at 6 o'clock, or 7 o'clock position? Is it a coil mainspring, or flat mainspring? Coil spring 44's date to after WWI. If it has the Apr 17 '94 patent date, it's after WWI. If it has the Oct 29, '89 patent date, it's pre WWI.
Some calibers date to prior to the introduction of the 44 1/2, as Stevens dropped calibers larger than .32-20 after the 44 1/2 was on the market.
I'm sorry I can't give you a value based on your description, as there are many variables that affect the value of these guns, including finish, triggers, sights, stocks, grip type, etc.
Hope this helps.

coopershooter · « **Reply #2 on:** August 08, 2005, 03:46:12 PM »

IT'S A .22LR THE EXTRACTOR IS AT SIX O'CLOCK THE PAT. DATE IS AP.17 OF 94. WHERE CAN I GET A TANG SIGHT FOR IT?

marlinman93 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 09, 2005, 02:17:33 PM »

Sounds like your Stevens is a post WWI gun, which puts it into a large time frame. The 6 o'clock extractor is the most common. Sorry I can't get any closer.
Tang sights for Stevens can be found on Ebay, if you're looking for original Lyman or Marbles. Neither company is offering reproduction newer sights for Stevens. They usually run in the $100-$150 range. I have seen only one original "H" style Stevens tang sight there, and it went for over $400, so no chance for one of those.
Jeff's Outfitters sells one of the best bargains around for repro tang sight. They sell a copy of the Stevens vernier Gallery tang sight for under $60! I bought one for my Stevens 44 .22LR Schuetzen rifle, and liked it so much, I sent for another for my Stevens .44 in .32-20. They're well made, and all steel, with a nice finish.
Hope this helps.