1915 Stevens Favorite Information and Request(s).

[Chev. William]

I have a 1915 Stevens Favorite Action I would like information on the safe Removal/disassembly and reassembly/installation of the Coil Spring assembly powering the Hammer.
The hammer end is deep inside the receiver housing and appears to be not easily accessed.
The 'anchor' end toward the butt is open but is formed of a guide rod extending nearly through a sleeve that has a 'angle cut on the rearmost end that abuts a grooved screw in the lower tang.
The spring feels quite strong when I cock the hammer.
I would NOT like spring driven parts to disappear violently about my work space!
Best Regards,
Chev. William

[Chev. William]

I have received a suggested method of Safe Tear Down of the Stevens Favorite 1915 Coil Type Hammer Spring assembly:
1.  Remove Barrel, Butt Stock, Breech Block-Link-Lever assembly and Extractor/Ejector.
2.  Carefully and under control ease the hammer from Half-Cock back far enough to pull the Trigger, then Ease the hammer forward into the space previously occupied by the Breech Block, etc., this will relieve the spring pressure.
3.  Grasp and move the Sleeve forward on the guide rod extension against the spring sufficiently to disengage it from the Abutment Screw Groove and move the tip upward to clear the top of the Abutment Screw.
4.  Ease the Sleeve to the rear under control until all spring pressure is released.
5.  The Sleeve, Spring, and Guide rod/Stirrup unit may now be removed either as individual parts or as an assembly.

The process of re-installation should follow the reverse procedure,
It is reported that the uncompressed spring is shorter than the length of the Guide Rod portion of the Stirrup/Guide Rod assembly so the installation process is eased as the tip fo the rod will guide the Sleeve when initially compressing the spring to get the Sleeve tip back into the Abutment Screw Groove.
Also it is reported that the Guide Rod has a slight 'bow' in its length and the inside fo the curve should face the lower tang in assembly.

IF anyone has any corrections or comments on the above process description, please post your comments.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

[Chev. William]

No other comments have been received about this question so I guess this is good guidance for this process.
Best Regards,
Chev. William

[Chev. William]

I now have "kits" of parts for two Stevens 1915 Favorite Actions; and one, a previously modified one with a wider than normal Breech Block (BB) and larger BB and Lever Pivots diameters, is now an assembled "in the White" rifle.

It is presently set up with a freshly head spaced and Crowned Stevens '.25 Stevens' Barrel, and has a set of four fitted 1894 style Extractors in four separate cartridges; .22RF, .25ACP, .25Stevens, and .32Long/.32 Long Colt.

The BB is presently set up to position the Firing pin tip for .22FR cartridges so I would need to use 'adapter cases with centered .22RF blanks as ignition sources for the other cartridges.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

Added 2014NOV23: This rifle is now set up with a ".25 Stevens" Extractor; A 'Western' German Silver front Blade sight; and a Old Marble's 'lever locking' Tang Peep sight.  I do not have any of the narrow dovetail single range Stevens rear sights so that spot is empty.  Chev. William

Added 2014DEC04:  Won an Ebay auction for a mid range Tang Peep sight (marked "made in Italy" that fits my Stevens screw spacing  so I mounted it on the Stevens 'Side Extractor' Model 44 Action.  The sight tilts slightly forward when 'erected' and the Peep center line is about even with the top of the Receiver when it is set at about "50" on its markings (goes up to "250").  Joking now: I think this Tang sight has enough adjustment range to compensate for the 'high arch Trajectory" of either the .25 Stevens or the .32 Long replacement cartridges I intend to use in this rifle.  Chev. William

[Chev. William]

Any Suggestions on how to correct the "forward Tilt" of this Tang sight when mounted on a Stevens "Side Extractor Model 44" action?

Best Regards,
Chev. William

[rbertalotto]

Hi Chev,

Still at it I see with those Stevens!

Most tang sites find their vertical location with a spring under the base of the sight that fits into a divot/slot filed into the base of the upright. Some tang sights this "spring" can be moved for and aft to change the angle.

If this "divot" exists on your sight, and the spring can not be moved fore or aft,  I'm not sure how you could change the angle without TIG welding it to fill it in and then recutting in the proper location.

Hope this helps...

[Chev. William]

Yes, I am still 'plodding along' as my finances allow on these Stevens Actions.  They are keeping me occupied while waiting fo rmy Union Dispatcher to call with a Work offer.  I need to be near the Telephone most of the business day, Monday through Friday to take a possible call, as I usually only have about 10 to 15 minutes before he calls the next person on the List.


It Looks, by visual inspection, that your thinking is correct.  It seems I will need to weld and recut the groove in bottom of the upright pivot boss.  The Spring is captured in a cut in the base that is fitted to the shape of the spring.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

[Johnson Barr]

While searching for parts for my 1915 I found that Numrich listed a replacement rear sight with elevator. The Favorite dovetail is very narrow; about 0.225", so it would be interesting to know if the Numrich sight is a real
'tap-in' replacement. Seems to be a crap shoot with those folks now and again.

[Chev. William]

Duplicate post, sorry.
Best Regards,
Chev. William

[Chev. William]

Sadly That is true now.  They are no longer manufacturing anything themselves like they did previously.  They are only Buying and selling stock from other 'sources'.

It is too Bad for our long term needs but I guess it is 'modern Business Practices'.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

[Chev. William]

While searching for parts for my 1915 I found that Numrich listed a replacement rear sight with elevator. The Favorite dovetail is very narrow; about 0.225", so it would be interesting to know if the Numrich sight is a real
'tap-in' replacement. Seems to be a crap shoot with those folks now and again.

If the item is not too expensive, I would recommend buying one to try out.

IF it is the right size Dovetail you have what you need.
If it is a larger dovetail, it may be possible to trim it down to fit.

In either case it is a Reasonable exercise in Learning.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

[Chev. William]

Second Day into the New Year and I am Still Here.
 May Everyone have a Very Good New Year.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

[Chev. William]

Today is Starting out Sunny and Clear but Cool.  Dentist Appointment this Morning to finish fitting a new Cap on a Tooth.
Then I Sold my Old 1975 Comet to a Shop for $200.00, because I needed the money.  Being on Mostly fixed Retirement (Social Security, Veterans disability and Retired pay) is NO FUN at all.  But I guess they need to save money form use old Veterans in order to pay the new arrivals' Benefits.

I am Thinking about trying to put together a 1915 Favorite with a Hammer that has a "lug" on it to support the back of the Breech Block to take some of the load off the Link and Lever pivots.

This would be similar to the "Lugged Hammer" used in the Model "44" variants for the larger cartridges.

The 'lug' would seem to need to be about the same width as the present hammer, about 1/4", as it should be shaped to 'bear' on the width of the central slot in the Breech Block  It will also need to be shaped to clear the 'spur' on the Link that moves the Hammer from Battery (fired) position to 'Half Cock' position as the Action is opened.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

[Chev. William]

I received two of my Rifles back from my gunsmith today, one of which was a Stevens 1915 Type Favorite in 22RF with a Reused barrel (a 'take off' purchase off of Ebay).  Now I need to get money and time to go to a Commercial Range to teat fire the rifle for my self.

Best Regards,
Chev. William

[Chev. William]

S-l-o-w progress with my actions and parts in my gunsmiths hands.
Best Regards,
Chev. William

[Chev. William]

Sadly No PT&G Reamer came in the USPS Christmas Eve delivery.
But some other Orders form other suppliers Came so it is a "Happy Christmas" for me.

May All Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
"Joy to the/World. . . . "
Best Regards,
Chev. William