I recently got what appears to be a Stevens 44 action in a batch of parts from auction recently. The action has no markings other than V18 on the bottom tang. It's a very nice action, still beautifully color cased. Unfortunately, in the way that is too often prevalent of auction houses, most of the parts are missing, probably in another lot that I missed.

My first impression was that this was a refinished action, but now I am wondering if anyone had produced a modern version of the 44? The V serial is unique and I cannot find anything related to it with original 44's.

Any thoughts?

I believe cpa makes new stevens 44 1/2 actions they .maybe able to help

http://www.assra.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl

These people can probably get it sorted out. Click on forums and dive in. Will likely have to join to post.

Once they got away from the longer 4 - 5 digit number then Stevens had a rather different numbering system

A prefix letter, then up to a 3 digit number on the lower tang
This was a assembly number, marked on the receiver, and buttstock, sometimes on the barrel if it was a special order

They used up the letter/Alphabet 3 times that I know of in the Favorites
And always only up to 999, then onto the next letter and start over again

I am currently re-building a late 1894 Favorite into a Ladies rifle, its assembly # is R 6

No factory records surivied the 1916 fire, so we have to look at a LOT of guns and try to figure things out.

J Wisner