Description
Physical description
Single shot sporting rifle made on the Stevens No. 441/2 action, which has a falling breech block worked by an underlever. The action has been re-finished, with loss of markings. Heavy half octagonal barrel with semi-buckhorn rear sight and blade front (not original), straight grip stock with crescent butt plate and schnable fore end. A screw has been inserted into the comb of the butt, for no clear reason. London proved.
History note
the No. 441/2 action, a true falling block, was made only from 1900 to 1916, although Stevens had intended it to replace the No. 44. It arrived rather late on the scene, when the only significant interest in single shot rifles was among target shooters, and was probably more expensive to make than the No. 44. The action had one feature that set it apart from other falling block actions: the breech block is set at an 8 degree angle to the barrel, and 'rocks' slightly as it moves. This means that a cartridge does not have to be fully chambered, as the closing action will cam it into place. This was advantageous when loading, but the Stevens extractor was not powerful, so the corollary was the danger of a tightly fitting cartridge case getting stuck in the chamber. In the late 19th and early 20th century, Stevens had a close relationship with Harry Pope, generally considered the maker of the finest target rifle barrels of his age, and one of the developers of the .22 Long Rifle cartridge, which remains both the standard for small bore rifle and pistol shooting and the most used cartridge in the World. Stevens target rifles, whatever their grade, therefore had a deserved reputation for accuracy.
Roll engraved on right of barrel
J. STEVENS A. & T. CO. CHICOPEE FALLS, MASS. U.S.A.
Roll engraved on left of barrel
.22 L. R.
Lower tang and underside of barrel.
10350
Left of action and left of barrel.
British proofs