Stevens 044 1/2

This week I decided to reline a Stevens 044 1/2. If your not familiar with these little guns, they are a true falling block. Harry Pope designed it for Stevens to create an action that can handle smokeless powder. It was first sold in 1903. The used many of the same machin set ups as the 44 so from the outside it looks very much like a 44 but it is a falling block and much stronger. They also had a different hammer and updated main spring. The 044 1/2 was a bit thinner action with a narrower breech block and lighter barrel than the 44 1/2. Both are rare but the 044 1/2 is not very common at all. This one is the english model, it had plain wood, 26” half round barrel, staghead hard rubber buttplate and made for export to england. This one is also a bit unusual in that it never had a rear barrel sight instead it has a factory installed tang sight. It was a 25 rimfire and I am more of a shooter than a collector so I lined it to 22. They are amazing 22’s perfect weight, great trigger and just a great rifle all around. I casehardened the action, blued the barrel and put a few coats of oil on the wood. I put a spirit level front sight in a Stevens style. I can’t wait for it to warm up so I can take it to the range and try it out.

Here is the finished product.