stevens ''crackshot''

[ratherbefishin]

I like old .22's-got a nice husqvarna falling block,a Husqvarna straight stocked octagon barreled single shot bolt action, a few old mossbergs. I've been looking at falling block .22's-the stevens crackshot,the new ones don't really impress me,I'm still kicking myself for not jumping on one of the Varna's when they came out-scarce as hens teeth now.

what are the odds of finding an original stevens crackshot chambered in 22lr in good condtion?I'm not a collector-I just like old .22's that shoot....neat old stuff.What would fair value be for one in good condtion?

 

[buffdog]

I like old .22's-got a nice husqvarna falling block,a Husqvarna straight stocked octagon barreled single shot bolt action, a few old mossbergs. I've been looking at falling block .22's-the stevens crackshot,the new ones don't really impress me,I'm still kicking myself for not jumping on one of the Varna's when they came out-scarce as hens teeth now.

what are the odds of finding an original stevens crackshot chambered in 22lr in good condtion?I'm not a collector-I just like old .22's that shoot....neat old stuff.What would fair value be for one in good condtion?

Trade-ex still has a fair amount of Husqvarna single shot bolt actions in different styles available.

You are referring to the "new" Stevens production falling block .22 rifles. This is the "Favorite" action and not the "Crackshot." I believe the "Crackshot" was a cheaper tipping barrel design for a Boys rifle rather than the rotating breech block of the "Favorite." The "Favorite" is a much stronger action for a .22.

There are still older .22 Stevens "Favorites" that show up at gun shows, but one with a good barrel commands a premium price. The problem was that the 1915 Favorite (and later production) rifles used black powder and corrosive ammunition, and usually with a disregard for proper cleaning. Thus, the barrels tend to be not in the best of condition.
.

 

[greyman441]

There was the early model 16 crackshots that were falling block. Next they came out with the rotating falling block. I have seen only a few of these crackshots in good shape. There is a guy at the orangeville gunshows that buys them. I dont think he sells them though. Like buffdog said, the blackpowder just ate the bore.

 

[ratherbefishin]

you are correct-it was the ''Favorite'' I was refering to.I don't know why Stevens didn't put a bit more effort into the fit and finish of their new production falling block. Since I want a ''shooter'' I'm wondering if it might be viable to buy the new one, and spend a bit of time on it polishing and fitting-what the factory should have done...[realising,of course that that takes time and time means increased cost.]

 

[buffdog]

.
As GREYMAN411 states, there were various models that Stevens applied the same name to as they ceased production of one and started production of another model.

I agree with you on the newer Favorites. They do not seem to have the attention paid to them as the older ones do.

I bought an older .32 RF that was almost new looking on the outside, but had a rusted bore. I then sleeved it with a .22 liner and match chambered it as the rotating block of the Favorite action cams the cartridge in slightly when closing.

To make it look "old time" I mounted a 3/4 inch long aluminum tube that I made up to look like an old Buffalo hunters scope, with turned aluminum eyepiece with a hole in it and a front eyepiece with cross wires, and home made mounts at the front sight and the rear sight for the "scope." I anodized it black using RIT Clothing dye and an electrical device I made up.

I refer to it as my "Small Buffalo Rifle", and due to the scarcity of Large Buffalo here in Manitoba, it goes on a "Small Buffalo hunt" when I want to take a liesurely afternoon walk. The "Small Buffalo", known locally as Gophers, do not seem to have as much fun as I have during these hunts.

I smoothed the trigger and hammer up, so the trigger pull is now a lot better, and I added a piece to the trigger so there was not a mile of overtravel.
.

 

[ratherbefishin]

I know its sacrilege to refurbish a collector-but theres lots of nice old guns that are unlikely to be collectors-but they sure shoot nice.Nice wood,too,and my old mossbergs with walnut stocks came up beautifully.My old .22 rolling block has an octagon barrel and a walnut stock-and some very enjoyable hours refinishing paid off.The hardest thing to find is one in with a good bore and in good mechanical condition.Single shot is fine by me-I don't do anything in a hurry anymore.Theres just something nice about taking one carefull shot...