Original Antique U.S. J. Stevens & Co. .22cal Single Shot Tip-Up Sporting Rifle – Serial 23123 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a little beauty, a “Tip-Up” style sporting rifle with a very heavy .22cal octagonal rifled barrel. This is definitely a rifle that would barely move when it was fired. The manufacturer and patent information is stamped into the left barrel facet:

J. STEVENS & CO. CHICOPEE FALLS, MASS. PAT.SEPT.8.1864

Stevens Arms was founded by Joshua Stevens with help from backers W.B. Fay and James Taylor in Chicopee Falls, MA, in 1864 as J. Stevens & Co. Their earliest product was a tip-up action single shot pistol. They then moved into tip-up rifles and other sporting firearms.

Business was slow into 1870 when Stevens occupied a converted grist mill and had just sixty employees. The 1873 Panic had a further negative impact on sales. By 1876 the company had recovered to the extent that it was then manufacturing twice the number of shotguns as it had been before that year. In 1883 they purchased the Massachusetts Arms Company which Joshua Stevens had helped found in 1850. 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. Joshua Stevens retired in 1896 at the age of 81, and passed away in 1907. However his company continued, and exists to this day as a part of Savage firearms.

The company markings indicate that this rifle was probably made around 1880, as the company name changed in 1886 after acquiring Massachusetts arms. This rifle pre-dates the development of the .22LR cartridge, so it is most likely chambered in .22 Long or .22 Extra long. It is marked with serial number 23123 on the side of the barrel and on the lower receiver tang.

The rifle features a small folding rear sight present together ringer post front sight. Very fine quality walnut stock complete with hook butt plate. The bore shows clear lands and grooves, but may be a bit dirty. We unfortunately have no cleaning rods small enough in house to give it a proper scrubbing. 

How many Sons learned to shoot on the Frontier and even in the Eastern United States. Great Color and great condition, ready to display!

Specifications-

Years of Manufacture: circa 1880
Caliber: .22 rimfire
Cartridge Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 25 3/4 Inches
Overall Length: 40 1/2 Inches
Action type: Exposed Hammer single
Feed System: Tip-Up Single Shot

Note: Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services.