Old Stevens Favorite

[Icewolf]

Hi folks,

I have been given an old Stevens Favorite (at least that is what it looks like, not sure). It is marked "44rf shot" on the barrel and is in about 50% shape although everything still is functional. Does anyone have an idea about this rifle/shotgun or cartridge?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

This gun has a smoothbore barrel for firing a shot cartridge -- so far as I know, there is no current source for .44 RF shot cartridges. These guns were used on garden pests and may have been used as mini-shotguns in some competition shooting. Wild west show trick shooters also used them to shoot aerial targets.

In the condition you describe, it would be worth about $150-200.

 

[Icewolf]

Thank you Vern. Interesting information.

 

[Old Fuff]

The Stevens Favorite had a small action that generally wasnt chambered in anything larger then .22 Rim Fire. I think your rifle has the larger (and much more desireable) 44 1/2 action that is similar. A 44 1/2/.44 caliber smoothbore would have some collector's value - much above that of a Favorite in the same condition. You can also rebarrel the action into some popular C.F. pistol or low-end rifle cartridges.

The first thing you need to do is find out exactly what you have ...