Stevens Favorite '' New Season ''

[skwerl]

''Hunting for Octagons''


... skwerl

 

[NorthCoastBigBore]

Thank you Skwerl! This should turn into a great thread.

Could we see some photos of the variations you have posted?

Also very interested in the types of original sights.

Suggestion from me to show barrel markings (location and text) and serial number range as well? I have only a small selection myself but Ill kick those in.

Good candidate for a sticky this one?

 

[Potashminer]

I recently had one show up - "22 - Long Rifle" on the barrel to the left of the rear sight - is stamped "Model 1915" on the top tang. "P 931" on the bottom tang. Says "J Stevens Arms & Tool Co.", then "Chicopee Falls, Mass. USA" along the barrel on the right side of the rear sight. The firing pin looks to be home made, and fell out in two pieces - so I am waiting for CBSA in Mississauga to deal with the reproduction replacement that was shipped from Numrich about a month ago. I did much scrubbing and soaking of that bore - there is rifling plainly visible, but the bore scope shows a LOT of pits and scratches in there - once the firing pin gets here, to be seen if it will fire, or how well it will shoot.

 

[Waba]

I've long been an admirer of the Favorites even before,in my teens, I received JJ Grant's Boys Single Shot Rifles for Christmas of 1968. Now, there's a book with a lot of miles on it. I have a handful of Stevens boy's rifles including 2 Favorites, a 25 and a 32 along with a limited supply of the ammunition I managed to scrounge in the late 60's/early 70's.
I still have one sealed box of Winchester 25 shorts out of the 3 I found at Thorne's Hardware in Saint John, I think 1942 was the last year Winchester loaded it,1969 was when I cleaned them out.

Whenever I notice that Mr Skwerl has posted, I am not far behind. You have a really fine collection and I will be following this thread with great interest.
Thank you

 

[Island Ranger]

Thank you Serle for the thread. Not exactly a Favorite but I just bought a Stevens Model 45 in 25-20 to compliment my Stevens Favorite .22. I guess my love of the rifle started early as it was the .22 I learned to shoot with way back when I was 6 in 1957. The old gun languished without rifling for over 50 years until last month when I had the barrel relined. The gunsmith who did the work brought out the Model 45 I guess knowing I couldn’t resist.

 

[sillymike]

 

[skwerl]

I've long been an admirer of the Favorites even before,in my teens, I received JJ Grant's Boys Single Shot Rifles for Christmas of 1968. Now, there's a book with a lot of miles on it. I have a handful of Stevens boy's rifles including 2 Favorites, a 25 and a 32 along with a limited supply of the ammunition I managed to scrounge in the late 60's/early 70's.
I still have one sealed box of Winchester 25 shorts out of the 3 I found at Thorne's Hardware in Saint John, I think 1942 was the last year Winchester loaded it,1969 was when I cleaned them out.

Whenever I notice that Mr Skwerl has posted, I am not far behind. You have a really fine collection and I will be following this thread with great interest.
Thank you

Hey it's great to find other long time Favorite / Stevens fans , this is the
reason to have threads like this .
... skwerl

 

[skwerl]

Thank you Serle for the thread. Not exactly a Favorite but I just bought a Stevens Model 45 in 25-20 to compliment my Stevens Favorite .22. I guess my love of the rifle started early as it was the .22 I learned to shoot with way back when I was 6 in 1957. The old gun languished without rifling for over 50 years until last month when I had the barrel relined. The gunsmith who did the work brought out the Model 45 I guess knowing I couldn’t resist.

Hey Island Ranger
I''M certain there are plenty of stories which follow along the lines of your
history , mine included .
Totally understand the lack of control you didn't have in acquiring the Model 45
a ''Gun Nut'' has to be focused or life in the gun world can get out of hand.
... skwerl

 

[skwerl]

Continuing with History

Introduced to the Stevens Favorite when my Dad brought
home a Favorite Model 1915 in .32 rimfire (pictured here).
I proceeded to shoot all 7 or 8 rounds which were with it.

Over 50 years has been my dance with Favorites.

Most asked question is what is the D.O.M.
Date of Manufacture of Stevens Favorites ?

Serial numbers or lots can not be looked up as some other
makes and no one that I know has any certainty in the
alphanumerical code stamped on the lower tangs .

We can date these within 2 to 3 years from 1885 to 1920
Savage Arms Co. absorbed them.

The rifles manufactured by Savage have the SVG role stamp.
... skwerl

 

[Potashminer]

skwerl - so far as you know - does "Model 1915" stamped on upper tang mean it was made in 1915 or later? There is no SVG or SV marks on this one - a letter "I" in a circle on the 10:30 receiver flat, and letter "P" in a circle on the barrel about 9:00 - directions are from when looking from the rear.

 

[marshall]

I think? the numbers are lot numbers, some think serial numbers , but that 's not the case.
I am rusty these days , never had my hands on a 45, don't run into them every day.
I don't have any original catalogues left ,but do have copies of 1912 , 31, 36 I think , the last one has a price of 45.oo for a 44 walnut hill, which is a hi priced gun at that time.
Yrs ago I collected stevens pistols as well. Use to have quite of bit of 25 and 32r as well as 25/25, 25/21, and 25/20 ammo at one time .
If one of you where interested in these copies, I would let them go as I don't really need them any more.

the 1915 stamp is when they made some changes on this model I believe, the block was changes , take down bolt. Getting rusty on the internals.
When Savage bought Stevens, they change to that trade mark Potashminer P should be proofmark.

 

[Potashminer]

skwerl - so far as you know - does "Model 1915" stamped on upper tang mean it was made in 1915 or later? There is no SVG or SV marks on this one - a letter "I" in a circle on the 10:30 receiver flat, and letter "P" in a circle on the barrel about 9:00 - directions are from when looking from the rear.

I tried to "Google Search" on Internet - got many "hits" to sell stuff. But, if http://www.wisnersinc.com/stevens-favorite-rifles/ is authoritative, they are saying on their website that the Model 1915 Steven's Favourite was "introduced" in 1915 and produced until 1935. Since this one has no Savage markings, I presume, so far, that it was made prior to Savage buying out Stevens, so this one was likely made between 1915 and 1920 - that might be as close as I get a date for it - it seems to have the other features described on the wisnerinc website.

 

[skwerl]

skwerl - so far as you know - does "Model 1915" stamped on upper tang mean it was made in 1915 or later? There is no SVG or SV marks on this one - a letter "I" in a circle on the 10:30 receiver flat, and letter "P" in a circle on the barrel about 9:00 - directions are from when looking from the rear.

Hey Hy

During WW I Stevens manufactured some civilian guns , the Model 1915
came out in 1915 with the improved receiver & breech block .

This model has the knurled take down knob & Favorite stamped on top
of the receiver as in the picture .

Also the letter stamps on the barrels & receiver are lot or batch
letters , ''P'' and ''I'' are quite common.

... skwerl

 

[skwerl]

As we've set the Book Ends for Stevens Favorites
at 1885 and 1940 I will re--post the Information on
the latest date , even tho some Stevens were produced
up to 1946.

Model 418 ''Walnut Hill Jr.'' 1932 to 1940 (approx.1500)
26'' Heavy Barrel in .22lr & .22 short , Drilled & Tapped
Sights : #144 Lyman , #17 Lyman Globe (and others)

Pistol Grip Stock , Metal Butt Plate , 6 1/2 lbs rifle weight
Heavily Improved Model 1915 receiver , CCH (Clouor Case Hardened)

Firing pin at 9 o'clock , cut out Chamber Notch (okay to dry fire)
Hammer released from 1/2 cocked for quicker lock time (sear release)
Hammer at Full #### for Safety

... Serle/skwerl

 

[Island Ranger]

I know this thread is for the Favorite model but I am trying to find smokeless loads for my Stevens Model 44 in 25-20SS. There seems to be a lot of conflicting information out there about using smokeless and it seems odd to me that Stevens would have produced these rifles to only use black powder after 1900.

 

[skwerl]

Black Powder

I know this thread is for the Favorite model but I am trying to find smokeless loads for my Stevens Model 44 in 25-20SS. There seems to be a lot of conflicting information out there about using smokeless and it seems odd to me that Stevens would have produced these rifles to only use black powder after 1900.

I posted this in reloading on this subject last eve, xactly what you wrote
same question.

The calibre and info. is 22-15 ss. (SS = Single Shot)
... skwerl

 

[skwerl]

Marketing and Collateral Products

J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. had promotional
products and catalogs which they sent out thru dealers.

This puzzle game is from around 1904 and 1909 catalog.
... skwerl

 

[NorthCoastBigBore]

Keep er coming Skwerl I have to get some info up, just run off my feet with work.

I have an original catalog in the files as well.

 

[skwerl]

Rimfire

Fact - Stevens Favorites Chambered in Rimfire Only (?)

Every reference book , catalog and advertizing which I have
read or seen is definite that the Favorite was to be chambered in
.22 short , .22lr , .22 shot , .25 Stevens rf , .32 rf , .32 shot and .22 WRF (Special Order)
not chambered in any Centre Fire Cartridge

I hadn't heard of the .22-15-60 cf (cal. .22 , 15gr Blk. pwdr. , 60gr bullet) 1:12 twist
when I found this Stevens Favorite chambered in it .

Fact - This is a cartridge developed by Stevens for their rifles (1896)
Model 44's & 44 1/2's could be ordered in it. (uncommon)

Model 1894 No.19 Sr. #81864 D.O.M. 1897
22'' Barrel , .22-15-60 cf (Black Powder) 7 o'clock (side extractor)
Sights - Lyman Combination , Open Rear , Lyman #1 Tang

Fiction - Stevens Guru's I've talked with number 5 or 6 others they have heard of. (not seen)

... skwerl

 

[Raton57]

That is one cute case. Good deer rifle in it's day.