J. Stevens Model Ideal Schuetzen Jr No. 52 .22 LR 28″ Single Shot Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $2675
LSB#: 211016KS14
Make: J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co.
Model: Ideal Schuetzen Jr. No. 52
Serial Number: 4646
Year of Manufacture: 1898-1915 C&R
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Falling Block Single Shot Breech Loading Rifle with Double Set Triggers
Markings: The bottom tang is marked with the serial number. The front face of the receiver is marked “52” and “0”. The bottom of the barrel is marked with light partial stampings including “0”, “1904”, and “190”. The interior of the forend is marked “11628” and is stamped “KRS”. The receiver has scroll engraving.
Barrel Length: 28″ Octagonal Heavy Barrel
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a globe with a fine post and is dovetailed into the barrel. The top tang is installed with an aperture peep sight. The top of the barrel is installed with a pair of male dovetail bases.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are walnut. The buttstock has a checkered pistol grip, straight comb, cheekpiece, and a metal schuetzen buttplate. The forend is smooth wood with a folding palm rest. The stocks have a few compressions, little dings, and little scratches, the most noticeable marks are on the belly. The checkering is lightly worn. The LOP measures approximately 13 3/8” and 12 5/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has some mottled finish loss, patina, and discoloration from previous oxidation. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color
Finish Originality: The receiver is original, the barrel appears refinished.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% its metal finish. The receiver has finish loss and a patina. The receiver has some scattered little dings and a few spots of discoloration from previous oxidation. The barrel appears refinished and has mottled thinning and finish loss. There are some scattered areas of thinning, mottled patina, and spots of discoloration from previous oxidation. There are some scattered little nicks and scratches on the barrel. There is standard operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly worn with strong slots. The markings are mostly clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a
Our Assessment: Alternately translated as “shooter” and “marksman”, Schuetzen also refers to a German shooting sport from the turn of the 20th century. As with many types of firearms, gunmakers took the design and manufacture of Schuetzen rifles to the extreme, with elaborately carved stocks, engraved receivers, and capable of astounding precision. Stevens produced a variety of single-shot rifles, but the majority were little affordable lightweight boys rifles like the CrackShot or Favorite series. While lesser known, they also made full-size rifles mostly for target shooting. This is one of their full-size target rifles, the Ideal Schuetzen Jr. No. 52. They were available in a variety of configurations and numerous custom components were available from the Stevens catalog. This one has double set triggers and a 28″ heavy barrel. The mecahincs and bore are great so this will be as great a shooter as the day it left the factory. If you’ve been after a quality American made single shot target rifle, the search is over. Please see our photos and good luck!