Product Description
- STEVENS ARMS & TOOL Co. “IDEAL” No. 44 .25-20 WCF FALLING BLOCK Rifle
Largest Producer of Sporting Firearms in the World
Here we present a C&R J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. Ideal No. 44 Rifle, made circa the turn of the century in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts. This rifle cannot be dated since the Stevens factory records were burned in their entirety. Production began on this handy little rifle in 1894 and went on through 1933.
Stevens, well known for its Tip-Up Pistols, Boy’s Rifles, and Sporting Rifles, got its start in Chicopee Falls at the closing years of the Civil War in 1864. Stevens Arms was founded by Joshua Stevens with help from backers W.B. Fay and James Taylor in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, in 1864 as J. Stevens & Co. Their earliest product was a tip-up action single shot pistol.
In 1886, the company was reorganized and incorporated as J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. The business was able to grow steadily with tool manufacturing and sales now accounting for the bulk of the business output. Between 1838 and 1864, Joshua Stevens worked for other New England gun makers, including Samuel Colt, Eli Whitney, Cyrus Allen, Edwin Wesson, and the Mass. Arms Co. In 1864, Joshua Stevens started his own factory in Chicopee Falls, Mass. at the age of 50 with 2 partners, James Taylor and W. B. Fay. With the factory starting at the end of the civil war, many gun manufacturers went under due to the surplus of guns flooding in. J. Stevens Arms Company went on to become the largest producer of sporting firearms in the world. By 1915, Stevens was a leader in the American arms business as a maker of target and small game hunting guns. Beginning on July 1, 1916, Stevens rifles and pistols would be marked J. Stevens Arms Company. There are no Stevens records to give a more exact date.
This rifle is chambered in .25-20 Winchester Center Fire, a very effective medium bore cartridge with minimal recoil. This rifle was manufactured right around the time that Stevens Arms & Tool Company was becoming the largest producer of sporting firearms in the world. By 1915, Stevens was a leader in the American arms business as a maker of target and small game hunting guns.
The overall condition is fair. Refinished. The action of the hammer and trigger are strong but something is causing the breech block to stick and not open. The bore has been relined and it remains shiny bright with sharp rifling. There are two dovetails on top of the barrel that are empty in favor of the tang mounted peep sight. The buttstock is shy to the frame but is solid overall.
This firearm is classified as a Curio & Relic.
Barrel is 24-3/4 inches.
Caliber: .25-20 Winchester Center Fire
Overall condition as seen in photos.
Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING. Will need to be sent to your local FFL or C&R licensee. This firearm is classified as a Curio & Relic.
Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.
www.ancestryguns.com
$900
#240031