J. Stevens A & T Co

[ShootsBlanks]

I just acquired a rifle that I am having a very difficult time trying to identify.

The identifying information is this-

Stamped on barrel

J. Stevens A & T Co.
Chicopee Falls, Mass. U.S.A. Pat. Apr 17 94.

22 Long Rifle


The barrel is 20" long, octaganal over the forend and round from there forward. The round part of the barrel tapers from .713" to .625" at the muzzle.
There is a blade front sight and a tang peep sight with adjustable elevation.

The overall length of the gun is just over 36".

There is a metal butt plate. It is not a Swiss type.

The wood appears to be walnut.

The shape of the forend, receiver, lever action, and stock all appear to be consistent with the Ideal Single Shot Rifle line. The most similar image I can find is the No. 044-1/2.

My confusion arises from the size of the gun. The 20" barrel does not seem to be associated with the Ideal line.

It is similar to an image I found for the 1st Model Favorite, but it does not have the removeable sideplate.

The extractor is at 7 o'clock on the chamber.

Under the lever and behind the trigger the number 4754 is stamped.

I have referred to 2002 Standard Catalog of Firearms and Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms 9th Edition.

Any thoughts?

[Mad Dog]

I was thinking it might be a Ladies Rifle #11 or #12 but it wouldn't matter because they started with 24" barrels as well as the Ideals and went up from there. I think your barrel has been cut.

The Crackshot's had 20" barrels but were round all the way down.

Confused....

[ShootsBlanks]

I appreciate the reply.

The barrel does not have a crown, it is flat. I hadn't noticed that.

However, the front sight appears original and is set into a recess starting 1/2" from the end of the barrel.

[Mad Dog]

The only Stevens rifles I own are model 425's so I can't help out with a measurement from the end of the barrel.

Old Savages were never crowned either, they were flat as well, it may be correct but the length isn't.

[Indigo22]

Patent shows it is a 1894 model ... here is a link to help you identify it. click here ---> http://www.wisnersinc.com/additional_info/stevens_favorite_rifles.htm and http://www.wisnersinc.com/ for parts info

[Indigo22]

The 7 o'clock ejector would likely make it an early run rifle. My favorite is an early 1894 transition rifle (6 o'clock ejector with 1889 style main spring). 20" barrels were most common on these rifles.
http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r526/Strawdog22/IMGP2507_zps054162bf.jpg

[ShootsBlanks]

Thank you for your replies.

That is beautiful wood on your rifle.

I guess if I can eliminate enough models that this isn't, I'll hopefully be left with what it is.

[Indigo22]

The patent say it all ... Pat. Apr 17 94 ... 1894 model http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r526/Strawdog22/IMGP2493_zps489f2bb9.jpg

[ShootsBlanks]

I do appreciate the information. Mine is not stamped on the top section of the octagon. It is stamped on the right side and 22 Long Rifle on the left side. Just another quirk.

[J.Baker]

The Patent date means nothing in regards to the model. Most patents are issued years before the model is designated or goes into production. Most patents refer to small design features, not a complete model. For example, my Savage Model 99 made in 1925 has patent dates from 1893, 1899, 1907 and two from 1909.

The only thing you can say definitively about a patent date is that the gun (or whatever it is) was made sometime after that date.

[Indigo22]

Sorry but the early Stevens Favorite Models have for a long time been separated by the design changes and the patent date delineation, ie. 1889 model (patent), 1894 model (patent), 1915 model (patent), etc. Each did have multiple variations within the groupings dependent on the request of who had ordered said rifles but the base rifle design stayed the same for each model until superseded by the next model and patent. It wasn't until later that they were given actual "Model" numbers based on the given features. The moniker of Stevens Favorite is the only thing that remained the same throughout the years. In this case the patent date does say it all. Specifically if you are wanting to restore it or order parts.