OT a little. Stevens .44 Shot Tip up? What is it?

[2ndovc]

My Dad got this from a friend cheap. Along with a nice WWII Luger and a really beat Japanese 7.7 Carbine!

Don't know my Stevens real well and not sure what the model is.

It's marked .44 Shot on the barrel.





I don't know anything about the .44 Shot shell either. How long were they? There was an old box of
Winchester paper .410 2 1/2" shells with it that will chamber. Was it bored out?
The receiver has gone to a even patina but the little bugger is in really nice shape.
What's it worth?

Any info is greatly appreciated!

jb

[KCSO]

This gun fired a shotgun ctg that looked like a 44-40 with a paper or wooden bullet. Kinda like a garden gun. I have some shells somewhere. I will have to look up the specs on the gun in my old catalogs. This will date from before the turn of the century a contemporary of the game getter.

[sureshot]

That is a Stevens "Lightweight" Model 101 shotgun, made from 1914-1916.
They are fairly scarce and could be worth a good bit depending on the condition.


Steve

[Pete44ru]

It looks like a variation of the Model 12 Marksman,

IIRC, the .44 Shot ctg, was also the .44-40 Shot & .44XL (forerunners of the .410) - and I think the only reason those old .410's chamber is that they're slightly smaller in diameter than the original cartridges.

http://cartridgecollectors.org/410/collecting410.htm

Here's a pretty good post by a fellow who has one just like yours, with pics and a solution:

http://jefenry.com/main/The44-Shot.php

.

[2ndovc]

Thanks Guys!!

So what's it worth? I don't think he wants to keep it. Dad's more of a vintage military arms collector.

I wouldn't mind having it but if he can make a buck on it then more power to him. He'll just put another good
piece into his collection.

jb

[2ndovc]

Hey Sixgun Where ya be? Need a little more info!

jb

[Sixgun]

Jason,
I'm perplexed on this issue. I do follow the old 44 and 44 and 1/2 actions a bit but know little to nothing on the model you have or any of the other "boys rifles". I've owned a few of the "pocket rifles" but ditched 'em quick as they were worn out sloppy guns. As far as I am concerned, the only Stevens guns worth having were the old 44 and 1/2 actions and maybe their 44 actions. These were fine target guns in their multitude of variations. I once had a 44 action that was in .22 LR and was in full target with the fancy wood, Swiss buttplate, double sets triggers, and fine vernier sight.

I had to resort to looking your gun up in my books and found it was made from '14-'16 (as Sureshot wrote) and was chambered for the 44 shot cartridge which was nothing more than the 44-40 with a wooden bullet filled with small shot. I have an example or two here and the headstamp reads .44 G.G. (for Game Getter) As your gun will chamber the .410 shell, well, it was probably made that way as the gun was an economy model and "why spend the money to have a chamber cut in it" was most likely Steven's thinking.

Your gun does look "clean" as most of these economy models were used and abused. The way I see it, your gun is not gonna make you rich if you sell it and beings that not many are seen, I say, "hold on to it" and be the caretaker of that gun while you are breathing. It is neat and will make for some fun afternoons loading up 44-40 shotshells for it--you can even play with round balls, etc.

My book has it valued at between $150-$400 and my guess is that your gun is at the upper end of it--------Stay cool brother! ---------------Sixgun

[2ndovc]

Thanks Jack!

That's in the area I was thinking price wise too. The old man thinks it's worth big dollars but told him I'd check with a Genuine Gun Crank.


jb

[Sixgun]

Thanks Jack!
That's in the area I was thinking price wise too. The old man thinks it's worth big dollars but told him I'd check with a Genuine Gun Crank.
jb

Jason,
Then there's the #2 factor, which I call G.F.O., which in turn stands for "Go Find One". Whenever there is rarity in a gun, even if its an economy model, there is a guy (or 2) out there who has the money, along with desire to purchase a gun in this description, and puts money into 2nd place.

I really think that with the proper pictures and description, that Stevens will sell for $750 on Guns America.----------------------Sixgun

[2ndovc]

Thanks Jack.

That's probably what we'll do. I know those pictures suck. All I had was my little pocket camera and just not enough light.

I doubt he'll be able to sell it a show for enough to make him happy.
I'd like to see him keep it. I think it would be fun to make some loads for and fool with. Mechanically it's really tight and feels like a solid little gun. Never know.

jb