[44-henry]

I was at a local gunshop today and noticed an interesting rifle that they had just brought in. It is a Stevens bolt action single shot 22 of very early styling with a steel butt plate. The rifle is very small and very plain, definitely looks like it would have been made for a boy. The dealer had it labeled simply as a Stevens B, but I cannot find any further information on it. It is in very nice shape, most of the original finish is present on the wood and stock. They are asking $89.00 for it, sound like a good deal? Any information on the history would be appreciated. Thanks

[elrod]

For ninety bucks, go for it. Neither Blue Book nor Standard Catalog of Firearms mentions the model "B", but both references put value at $100 or more on all the older Stevens .22 bolts. Standard Catalog goes on to say that these older "boys guns" are collectable, you may even make a buck or two. At the very worst, you have the ideal tool to introduce a youngster to shooting! All the best.........:)

[rcmodel]

Take a good hard look at the chamber mouth before you buy it.

It may have firing pin damage from snapping it empty for 100 years.
If so, it will either miss-fire badly, or blow case rims & hot powder gas out the action.

Neither one is good for a boy learning to shoot, especially the latter!

[Jim K]

There is some collector interest in those rifles, but so many were made that only ones in near-new condition bring any money. And there are darned few in that condition - most of them were shot and shot a lot in an era when .22 shorts were a dime a box, and corrosive.

Jim