13 November 2002, 16:32
retired jeffCustom Built Stevens 44 1/2
My retirement present from myself.
Mounted barrel is 218 Mashburn, 26"
Lower barrel is 30-40 Krag, 28"
Top barrel is 38-55, 30"
Scope is 20x Lyman Super TargetSpot
13 November 2002, 16:34
retired jeffThe picture didn't show up ..
http://www.laughingturtle.net/dad1.html?103715239195013 November 2002, 17:24
<Timberghost>Retired Jeff,
That is truly a beautiful rifle. You must be most proud of it.
The case hardening of the receiver is wonderful. Who did it? It also appears that you know a good stock builder.
I am a huge fan of the falling blocks and would love to own a Stevens some day. I found one on a gun sight, but the price seemed high to me.
I will check out the model and inquire back in a follow up thread. I assume that you would know its value.
13 November 2002, 17:32
<Timberghost>Jeff,
The rifle I referenced above is a Stevens 417 Walnut Hill in .22 K-Hornet. Cool action! It appears in good shape but no bluing or case hardening left on the receiver. Plain Jane stock. He is asking $975. Is this a good price?
Seemed high to me.
13 November 2002, 18:24
retired jeffTimberghost (like that handle)
I am not familiar with the 417 model. My rifle is a model 52 and is the culmination of almost two years in planning and saving.
The rifle is new, barrel changing is about 3 minutes because I have to change the extractor. I looked at a lot of single shots, Ballards, Sharps (got an Italian already), Browning, Remington (already have a Roller) and really liked the idea of a change barrel. In fact, I even considered getting long barrels for my contender. Then I found an outfit with really high recommendations in Pennsylvania,
www.singleshotrifles.com. They were patient with me in the planning. I started this as a BPCR project, liked the classic schuetzen look better, the stock is fiddleback and was an upgrade, I did the finishing. Aside from the Lyman scope, I also have a modified Weaver base that can be used for mounting a regular scope if I'm in the mood.
The case work was done by Classic Guns in Beecher, IL by John Gillette, a super nice Guy. They do really high quality work.
The engraving was done by a master engraver here in North Carolina, Ken Hurst. Ken's been in the business for about 40 years. Ken helped me plan this rifle.
14 November 2002, 15:27
Plateau HunterGREAT!! looking rifle retired Jeff. I like your choice of calibers also. Those should cover most everything at reasonable hunting ranges. Plateau Hunter
19 November 2002, 10:42
<Kboom>That beats the heck out of a gold watch !!
19 November 2002, 14:05
retired jeffWhen you're retired, who cares about time?
Except dinner-time and bed-time...
19 November 2002, 14:36
Gator1retired jeff
What a beautiful rifle. It is almost to pretty to use, almost. I am not familiar with the stevens but I assume that the two triggers are a set trigger? Does that Schutzen butt stock make the recoil more or less? Beautiful job.
wants to be retired mike
19 November 2002, 18:00
retired jeffHi Mike
The rifle is new and a copy of a 44 1/2 action made by Stevens up to about 1915. The outfit making them today is CPA on
www.singleshotrifles.com. Good folks.
The stock design actually makes the rifle a model 52 and the schuetzen buttplate plate is engineered for offhand shooting and sits just off of the shoulder. It also works pretty good from a bench position. I don't feel any discomfort with recoil but then the rifle weighs in at about 13 pounds with the scope.
25 November 2002, 13:59
vigillinusTimberghost
The 417 Stevens action is not a strong action and the K Hornet is too hot for it. The basic action is a 44 Stevens, not a strong 44 1/2.
They were originally made in .22LR, .25 rimfire, and .22 Hornet, but the Hornets were unsuccessful and developed excess headspace. If unaltered - not made into a K - they are hot collectors items for the Stevens bugs but they are not good for shooting. Stay away.
Vigillinus