44-shot ?
I have a rifle that has "44-shot" on the barrel. It also has "J Stevens Arms & Tool Co." with an August 12, 1913 patent on it. It opens like a shotgun. If anyone has any information about this type of rifle, I would appreciate it. Thanks.
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Hello Vanmeter,
What you have is a Stevens Model 101 Featherweight rifle. These were made from 1913-1916 and were chambered for the .44 Winchester Centerfire Shot cartridge. There were several variations of this cartridge, some had a paper "bullet" which held the shot while others had a wooden "bullet" filled with shot. Some cartridges used the .44-40 extra long case with the shot being in the neck of the case and the mouth of the case being closed by a cardboard plug. Some of the .44 extra long cases have been found loaded with a .44 caliber round ball. All of these cartridges are now obsolete and are collectors pieces.0 -
Thanks Iroquois Scout
It's been in my family for quite some time. When I was a kid some 30+ years ago I use to hunt dove with it. A 410 shell fits good, but if I remember right you could not shoot any long brass in it, because they would get stuck in it.
Thanks again
[;)]0 -
Approximately 5,000 manufactured so theses are pretty darn scarce.
Chambered to accept the 44XL, 44WCF-Shot and the 44 Game-Getter. Also a few made for export in Eley No. 3 or 9mm.
Narrow range/interest of collectability, but to a collector, in good or better condition the value would be $300+
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
vanmeter....I also have one of the Stevens 101 in 44 shot. Loads of fun to shoot. Be aware that the standard 2-1/2" 410 shell is actually too long for the chamber. It will fit, but the chamber is only around 2" long so no room for it to open on firing. Can create high pressures.
Ideal made a very rare reloading tool just for this cartridge (44 X.L. Shot). As Iroquois Scout noted, it used the extra long 44 W.C.F. case. It was made only in this caliber.
You can also make 2" brass 410 shells by fire-forming 303 British rifle cases in your Model 101. Light powder charge and Cream of Wheat, pointed up and fired. They will be 2" long and don't need to open up like a regular 410. Light loads for this gun though. I do believe there is a commercial manufacturer making 2" 410's but don't know who.
Have fun.....
max
load the old ones with the old tools.....0 -
Boy are these guys smart![:D]
"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
~Abraham Lincoln0 -
I was researching the old 44 I have and found this sight. My Dad purchased one of these on a Farm sale around 1950. He thought he was buying a 410. He got home with a box of 410 shells and they would not go in the chamber. That is when he realized it was a 44. He went to a Black Smith near home and Jake bored the chamber to take the 2 1/2 410 shell. As a young hunter I shot many Rabbit and Quail with this gun. I still have the gun. It was not in very good condition when Dad got it but always fired very good. 0 -
I have been hand loading them for years.I use 44WCF brass mag.primer 13 gr.pryodex and a 44 T/C shot cartrage.I dont resize just drop shot capsule on top of powder and then resize just enough to hold capsule with a 44size die.tks hedge[:D] 0
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