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Mint J. Stephens "Favorite" .22 LR Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:750.00 - 1,250.00 USD
Mint J. Stephens  Favorite  .22 LR Rifle
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Stevens Favorite .22 Long Rifle Boy’s Rifle. This is a truly outstanding example of one of the finest, top-of-the-line youth guns of the last part of the 19th century. This rifle with low serial number Y16 was made C.1896 and is in remarkable condition. Usually these Boy’s Rifles saw very hard, continuous use by their enthusiastic owners and examples that have survived to the present display this. Most specimens retain no blue on the barrel, much less case colors on the receiver. Often the wood is badly bruised and cracked from extended use. This particular rifle is a superior example. It retains nearly all of the vivid signature Stevens “striped” case color on the entire receiver, including the upper tang and octagon receiver top! The breech block also retains excellent blue. The 22” half octagon barrel still shows nearly all of the deep factory blue and has the early Stevens marking: “J. Stevens A. & T. Co., Chicopee Falls, Mass. U.S.A. Pat. Apr. 17, 94”. The barrel has the correct gallery fixed rear sight with the optional Beach folding globe front sight- when folded down a blade can be used and when pulled up there is a fine pinhead sight inside a globe for target work. The butt plate is hard rubber and is embossed in two lines with “Stevens Favorite.” The Favorite was Stevens’ most expensive Boy’s Rifle and was often in the dreams of young lads (and girls) before birthdays and Christmas! It was a lucky child who received a Stevens Favorite! The bore is surprisingly fine and bright with some corrosion ahead of the chamber, but good rifling throughout. Usually these rifles are encountered with completely shot-out bores. The Stevens Favorite could be easily taken down by simply unscrewing the loop/screw on the bottom of the receiver and pulling the entire barrel and forend assembly forward and out. When placed in a fitted canvas case, the rifle in takedown mode could easily be attached to the frame bar of a bicycle. Any boy in the late 1890s riding a bike with a new .22 caliber Stevens Favorite attached would have to have a smile on his face! A wonderfully preserved and most attractive example! This firearm qualifies as an Antique, and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check. Matt