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Old stevens

3K views 50 replies 11 participants last post by  Josh the butcher 
#1 ·
cleaning out my grandpap's house we found this neat rifle. 32 LR
Cracked stalk and a little pitting.
We're just wandering if there is a way to date it? Any other info would be greatly appreciated as well.
 

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#31 ·
Wind instrument Tan Shotgun Brass Woodwind instrument
Josh,
How long is the barrel? Is it octagon, half octagon or round? Can you make out the serial No# and is there a prefix? I know, lot's of questions but they are relevant. One thing is that all of these guns ( As far as I know) were takedown models with a thumbscrew or a screw in pin with a sling swivel. I think that I can make out where one is, but it looks like it is broken off ( In front of the lever). Let us know if you can.

Steve
It's half octagon. The serial # 48928. Prefix? With the serial number? There isn't. I don't see any where that there would have been any sling swivels. Posted a few more pics
 

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#32 ·
Uh-oh Josh....you are so screwed.......:D Attach any phrase you want to it, "opening Pandora's box", "letting the genie out of the bottle", "opening a can of worms", "a benign addiction".....they're all applicable...and there is no known cure!!!!
What happen unfortunately my one grandfather passed away a few years ago so my father and I inhareted his guns then my father's father just passed away a few months ago. None of us in our family ever sells a gun. At the very least maybe trade. Nether of them ever really shot or even showed us half of the old timers we've inhareted. But honestly I'm loving learning about all of them. Gun safe is deffinetly full. Time to start looking for another one to fill. Lol
Nice thing is I have three boys who are loving it too. I need to go to a few gun shows and try to find some 32 longs now. We also have a nice little 30 r.f. pistol but from the information I'm finding. I'll never find ammo for it. Still a nice little pistol. XXX standard. my dad had it to a gunsmith two years ago to get the hammer spring fixed. The guy told him it wasn't worth any thing. Not worth fixing. I think he was trying to get it from dad dirt cheep. Not going back to that guy
 

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#35 · (Edited)
Let's try to figure out what it is not. Well, it's before 1920 because that's when Savage bought Stevens Arm & Tool. It's not a 26 or 26 1/2 Crackshot because they were 18 inch barrels. (26 1/2 was a smoothbore) Not a 20 Favorite, (smoothbore 24 inch). Could be a Model 1915 Favorite (COULD BE) It was a redesign of the Favorite with a heavier action. (avaliable in different barrel lengths) These were made from 1915 to 1940 . They were marked "SVG" after 1920. If it is a Model 1915 I believe that it was made between 1915 and 1920. Savage, Stevens are hard to figure out, all their records were destroyed in a fire long ago.
 
#38 ·
Favorites had a screw with a large head with what looks like a saddle ring attached to the head, twist the "saddle ring" to unscrew it and the barrel slips out of the receiver as it's not threaded into the action.

Most 44s I've seen had a slotted set screw like yours has.

I've got two favorite actions up at the shop, an '89 and a '94, I'll take some measurements that can be compared to your action, you'll need a set of calipers or at least something that can get you within ten or 20 thousandths.

There might even be a 44 or two at the store I can measure, (I work for a gentleman that owns a gun store dealing with antique and modern firearms) I know there are a couple 44 1/2s on the wall unless somebody snapped them up recently.
 
#42 · (Edited by Moderator)
Firpo...to "dangle a carrot" Gun Works does list a few guns on I think Guns International and maybe *********....:D I believe they also have a web site. I saw a couple earlier this week I thought about asking Griz what they were like. I'm still layin' for a shootable, Damascus barreled German double, preferably in 16 bore.

And....back to the topic....I'm really curious to see which Stevens this is.
 
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#44 ·
I saw a couple on line, Griz. Almost asked you about one of them that looked pretty good but, as you said, it isn't a 16. Maybe I'm being too picky...:D
 
#45 ·
I have some measurements, the Favorite receiver is .875 wide and about 4" long not counting the tangs depending on how you measure, the two ends aren't parallel and aren't on the same level :) The opening on the front for the barrel tenon is .665 in diameter.

I did find a No. 44 hiding in between several No 44 1/2s and it's 1.125 wide and approximately 4 and a quarter long. I wasn't going to attempt to remove the barrel to measure the tenon diameter. ;)

I'll be darned if I can remember the caliber on it, either .32-40 or .28-30.

Anyway except for being about a quarter inch bigger in the major measurements it looks almost identical to the Favorite and except for screw locations the 44 looks and measures the same as the 44 1/2
 
#46 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'm working on getting a caliper. My dad is gonna barrow one from his work. But unfortunately he's on vacation next week. So it will be a little while till I can get those measurements.

But with a tape measure its 4 1/4" from bottom to bottom. Damn close to 1 1/8 across. So I'm guessing it's a model 44 at least.

Thanks a lot Gizz. I really do appreciate you checking in to it for me.
 

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#50 ·
A little bit of an update, the Model 44 Joe had stashed away did have a price tag on it of $750, it was similar in condition to yours in respect to the metalwork being original surfaces turned to patina but the stocks were undamaged save for the expected minor scratches.

I'm not saying yours is worth that much, .32 RF is a much less desirable caliber than .32-40, and there is a cracked stock on yours but it kind of gives you an idea of value, your Grand Dad's Stevens No. 44 ain't no 100 dollar wall hanger.

If you do decide to make a repair to the stock and need help or info on what and how to go about it, post a thread asking for a little help and advice, there are a lot of guys hanging out on here with a lot of experience on tackling these kind of projects and all we charge is good quality gun porn as payment. ;)
 
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