Stevens Favorite '' New Season ''

[skwerl]

Stevens Favorite - Stevens Ideal Model 44

Both of these rifles are based on the same patent & design, individually
they are almost indistinguishable , side by side the difference is obvious .

These two rifles were manufactured from 1894 to 1940
in numerous combinations & permutations , estimates of
Favorites 1,000,000 plus , Ideal 44 unknown .

Basic rifles no options.

Model 44 Ideal ;
6 1/2 lbs , 26 '' barrel , .25 Stevens rf

Favorite 1894 ;
4 1/2 lbs , 22'' barrel , .25 Stevens rf

... skwerl

 

[skwerl]

Submissions ?

Hey Stevens Fans/Guru's

Quiet on the Sticky Lately , are there any pics , submissions or questions.?

I have received a number of queries on the values
of different Stevens rifles mainly Favorites but a few Marksman & Crackshots.
As with all rifles condition is king , even uncommon models
can be hard to sell if the condition is low.
Please send a good pic or two.

If anyone has a request for a specific year or model to be
featured please ask.

BTW , Fact - April 1 was the 103 Year Anniversary of Savage Arms aquiring
J. Stevens A. & T. Co.

Good Hunting , Good Groups.
... skwerl

 

[skwerl]

Found on the Internet

The beauty of collecting some models of Stevens Firearms
is the abundance along with prices.

This Favorite was purchased early last year $450

Model 1894 No. 17 , 24''barrel in .22lr ,
DOM prior to 1920 (Savage)

Barrel stamp J.Stevens A. & T. C0.

Xlnt little shooter , has been rebarreled
with 24'' barrel possibly after market as
1894 models were 22'' barrels..
Reworked barrel take-down bolt

This years value plus 15 %
... skwerl

 

[skwerl]

Value of some Favorites

Some Stevens Favorites are of less value than the
asking price , this is one.

1894 Favorite , 22'' barrel , .32 rf
No sights , untested (fired) , bore NFG
Wood is complete tho rough

This rifle could be a great project with rebarreling
and a few parts replaced / manufactured , just would
be a nice shooter .
I have seen some miracles performed esp. by ''The Gun Doctor''
Rex in Sask.

I have never bought or sold a parts gun of any make
when they degrade below a functioning rifle most
if not all parts are worn beyond use .
... skwerl

 

[skwerl]

Removable Side Plate

In the Beginning was the
Stevens Side Plate , Pat. Aug.11,1885.
This was the first venture into ''Tipping Breech ''
rifles after Stevens ''Tip Up'' rifles & pistols.

As is the case with most Stevens firearms records
are vage to nil on production dates & numbers.

They were available from 1889 to 1891 (?).

Stevens collectors number units at 2500 units for
the small frame model , the highest Sr.# I've seen is 2326.

Very sweet little rifles ... skwerl

 

[skwerl]

Stevens Reference Books

Facts - Are difficult to prove , state or disprove .

The books which I have read often repeat what others have written
not always confirming the details or even contradicting some .

Here are a few of the references in my library generally correct
tho I have found some stated details as false.

Fact - I have one rule when promulgating information that is
to relate only what I have on my bench in front of me.

Any reference books to contribute please post them.

''Believe none of what you hear & only half of what you see''

...skwerl

 

[skwerl]

Stevens Favorite Model 71

Fact - Outside of the Original ''Favorite'' parameters set out
in this thread of 1885 to 1940 , comes the Model 71 .

Manufactured in 1971 the '71 Commemorative (10,000 units) is a tribute to
Joshua Stevens , Father of the .22 Long Rifle Cartridge developed in 1887.

Not one to buy ''Collector Editions'' of ''Commemoratives'' I couldn't help
myself , there she was at the Lumby Gun Show.

...skwerl

 

[skwerl]

I have been corresponding with a publisher in the U.S.A. with the
intention of compiling a compendium of information on the History
and Varients of Stevens Favorites.

He has published numerous books on Historical rifles including
a large 3 volume set on the Stevens- Pope era of precision
rifles & barrels.

Any one who has interesting information and/or pictures
please post it/them here , the more compiled and passed on for
future collectors the better for us in the Lifestyle.

thnkz in advance ... skwerl

 

[skwerl]

''Favorite'' Family Foto

Got all the ''Variants'' together.
...skwerl

 

[Marlin989]

Holy crap - what a sight!

Left row, 4th one down, has an interesting stock and curved butt plate. How does it feel to shoot?

Cheers,
Marlin989

 

[Wolfstrack]

WOW what a great collection, very nice indeed...now it's time to clean and oil all of them...LOL!

 

[bush1]

That’s an interesting one with the ultra long scope.

 

[8ball]

So there they are!...

 

[skwerl]

Holy crap - what a sight!

Left row, 4th one down, has an interesting stock and curved butt plate. How does it feel to shoot?

Cheers,
Marlin989

Yea , a highly optioned .22lr , DOM 1895/6 , Extra Fancy Walnut Stock & Forearm , Swiss Butt plate , Tang & Rear Sights.

Small and short LOP but a real smooth action , xlnt target rifle.
...skwerl

 

[Longstud]

AWESOME!!! Thanks for showing us the children. Truly impressive

 

[skwerl]

Stevens Favorite Compendium

While compiling information for this Compendium
the question of different style of Butt Plates was asked.

In as many Favorites which I have seen the answer is four (4)
confirmed factory installed plates .
There have been a few one-offs and possible special orders
just not available standard products.

#1 - Side Plate 1885 , Curved Case Hardened Metal

#2 - 1889 Favorite , Compressed Rubber or Curved Metal as the Side Plate

#2 - 1894 Favorite , 1894 - 1897 Rubber or Metal
- 1898 to 1916 , Rubber

#3 - Model 1915 , ''S'' from 1920 the take over of Savage Arms Co.

#4 - Model 418 & 418 1/2 , Walnut Hill Jr. 1932 to 1940 Last Iteration of Favorites
- Target & Sporting , Metal Grooved or Serrated

Therefore , Know Your Butts
...skwerl

 

[skwerl]

Stevens vs Remington

Early 1900's entry level .22's and other small rifle markets were
quite competitive , two of the largest companies were Remington Arms Co.
and the J. Stevens Arms and Tool Company.

Any well healed or lucky young person (adults included) the rifles of
choice were the Stevens Favorite or the Remington No.4.

Both were chambered in .22 short , .22lr , .25 Stevens ( 25-10 ) & .32rf.

They were in the same size and price category with the Favorite
slightly lower , this was reflected in production figures.

Stevens Favorite 1894 to 1940 approximately 1,000,000 units
were produced with the Remington No.4 , 1890 to 1933
made 350,000 approx.

The two companies had numerous other models along with numerous
other manufacturers & many imports filling in the markets.

Advertizing clips came from Stevens 1911 catalog & Remington 1911/12 catalog.

Rifles pictured were both manufactured between 1910 and 1915 .

 

[jamesharrison]

Well, doesn't that just Suck the Big One, Skwerl!!

Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart [or at least too late to the Party!]

Well done, Sir!

Apropos of nothing whatsoever, I've found that the Stevens' Ideal frame rifles better suit my physique, however, perhaps it is just the olden-days mind-set that "A man should shoot a man's rifle; a boy should shoot a Boy's Rifle" [of course, I'm 6'0", and wear a 17 1/2" neck & 37" sleeve length shirt], but sadly "were I but a Boy Again......." shooting roof rats & $#!T-eagles [seagulls] who used to roost on our house back in the day or the rabbits out behind our street in the Saint B "boonies" where I grew up, or the rabbits that we used to bring home for dinner [it was amazing how much "trouble" I would be forgiven for if I brought home "the bacon" as it were], what a time we would've had [we used to use the old Slavia .177" pellet rifles that we felt lucky our parents gifted us for Christmas [think Christmas Story] or our birthdays, back in the '60's in old Saint B.

Thanks for sparking the Memories!

;-)

 

[kamlooky]

And yit thar be ahh WTB in the r/f ee.
Guess skewlz won't be appy until he hazz'imawll................

 

[350tracker]

Nice collection, well done.