Stevens Ideal No. 49 Walnut Hill .22 LR – 44½ ACTION, ENGRAVED SCHUETZEN

The Stevens No. 49 “Walnut Hill” occupies a particularly attractive place among the great American single-shot target rifles of the Schuetzen era. More refined than the ordinary Ideal rifles and built for serious offhand competition, the No. 49 combined engraving, finely checkered walnut and specialized target furniture with Stevens’ excellent single-shot action.

This example is built on the desirable Model 44½ falling-block action, Stevens’ improved high-grade action and one of the finest American single-shot mechanisms of its period. The receiver is extensively engraved in flowing scroll, complemented by a finely checkered pistol-grip Schuetzen stock, Swiss-style buttplate and elaborate loop lever with wooden palm insert.

The rifle retains its double-set triggers, with an exceptionally light set-trigger release, and is fitted with an impressive period target sight package. At the rear is a Stevens vernier tang sight with patent-marked multi-aperture eyecup, while the front carries a period globe target sight with a flip-up contrasting ivory bead.

Under the forearm, the receiver is correctly stamped “49,” identifying the rifle as Stevens’ No. 49 Walnut Hill grade. The rifle presently wears a later J. Stevens Arms Company .22 Long Rifle barrel, almost certainly installed after the original Schuetzen-era manufacture.

At 8 lbs. 10.5 oz. with a 26” barrel, it has the substantial, steady feel expected of a true Schuetzen rifle without becoming excessively heavy. It is an unusually handsome, mechanically fascinating and very shootable example of Stevens’ golden age of American target-rifle manufacture.