In House Shipping:
Make: J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co.
Model: Stevens-Pope Model Rifle, 44½ Action
Serial Number: 9177
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1903
Caliber: Barrel 1 (Mounted): .22 ShortBarrel 2: .32-40 Ballard/Winchester
Action Type: Single Shot Falling Block with Double Set Triggers
Markings: The .32-40 barrel is marked on the top flat: “STEVENS-POPE / MANUFACTURED BY THE J. STEVENS ARMS & TOOL CO. CHICOPEE FALLS MASS USA”. The .22 Short barrel, currently installed, is marked “22 SHORT” on the left shoulder near the breech. The lower tang bears serial number “9177”.
Barrel Length: Barrel 1 (Mounted): 29 3/4” OctagonalBarrel 2: 32” OctagonalA Pope False Muzzle is currently installed on the .32-40 barrel. No bullet starter is included.
Sights / Optics: Equipped with a Pope Vernier Tang Sight (rear) and globe front sights on both barrels. Includes a third set of scope mounting bases.
Stock Configuration & Condition: Schuetzen-style stock in fancy walnut with cheekpiece, pistol grip, and Swiss-style Pope buttplate. The schnabel forend is finely checkered in a bordered diamond-point pattern. A Pope-style palm rest swivel is mounted (rest and palmel removed). The Pope Three-Finger Lever is installed. Scattered minor compressions are present, but no cracks or chips. Stock rates in Fine condition for age and use.
Type of Finish: Case Colored Receiver, Blued Barrels, and Silver-Chased Furniture
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: Barrel 1 (.22 Short): Bright, sharp rifling, no visible erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.Barrel 2 (.32-40): Bright, sharp rifling, no visible erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its original finish. The case colors on the receiver show mild fading with visible patterning. The barrels show light edge wear. Screw heads are sharp, and markings are clear. All major Pope features are present. This rifle rates in Fine condition overall.
Mechanics: The action locks up tightly and operates correctly. Double set triggers engage as intended. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Accessories: Included are two Pope-rifled barrels (.22 Short mounted, .32-40 spare), Pope False Muzzle (installed on .32-40 barrel), three sets of scope mounting bases, installed sights as described above, and an extra Pope Three-Finger Lever.
Our Assessment: This rifle is more than a firearm—it’s a statement piece from the golden age of American precision shooting. Built on the legendary Stevens 44½ action, this Stevens-Pope Schuetzen rifle bears all the hallmarks of Harry Pope’s genius. Serial number 9177 confirms early production around 1903, shortly after Pope joined Stevens and began elevating their match rifles into the realm of legend.
Harry Pope was not just a barrel maker—he was a dominant competitive shooter who became a gunsmith to satisfy his quest for perfection. Unsatisfied with the inconsistencies of factory barrels, Pope pioneered a method of rifling that used a lead slug to align and cut each groove by hand. This technique yielded near-perfect concentricity, resulting in accuracy so profound that his barrels began to dominate every match they entered. Pope’s rifles weren’t just good—they were unbeatable. Word spread quickly, and soon he wasn’t just a competitor, but a craftsman whose work was in demand from the most serious shooters in the country.
Everything about this example reflects Pope’s commitment to excellence: two hand-lapped, Pope-rifled barrels—one for gallery (.22 Short) and one for Schuetzen (.32-40) work—both with razor-sharp rifling; the rare and complete Pope False Muzzle; a beautifully checkered fancy walnut stock with schnabel forend, cheekpiece, and Swiss buttplate; Pope’s own three-finger lever; and hardware provisions for both iron and scoped competition. It is an authentic and complete representation of what top-shelf, American single-shot target shooting looked like at the dawn of the 20th century.
If you are a collector of Schuetzen rifles, a devotee of Pope’s work, or simply appreciate peak-level craftsmanship, this rifle deserves a prominent place in your collection. Pieces like this are not just tools—they are mechanical expressions of competitive genius.