The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Stevens single-shot .22 pistol

PetahW · November 5, 2009, 11:07 AM

Consider the timeframe, in which that pistol was made/marketed:

.22 rimfire was relatively new - and .22 LR hadn't been invented as yet.

For it's time, the .22 Short wasn't considered mild - it was innovative, and in heavy use for self defense, especially by city folk and ladies (purse guns).

There weren't many .22's in the marketplace - mostly the comparatively more expensive S&W Model 1 revolver and the Winchester Model 1873 Levergun.

Sooooo, the "new" Stevens caused an unprecidented demand for itself - due to it's low price, utility and "cutting egde" chambering.
Not many folks, back then did "plinking", as it was considered wasteful of money/ammo - but the design would certain qualify today.
They would have been used as a utility pocket pistol, for defense (lead poisoning DID kill, back then B4 modern medicine), and/or trapline maintainence, whatever.

Although the raised metal at the chamber edge can easily be swedged back into place (NEVER filed/ground off) with the proper tool - I wouldn't recommend doing so, since it would only encourage someone to fire it, and there's really NO safe ammo available for it today, AFAIK.

I would make a small, glass-topped picture-frame/box to fit it, line the box with felt, and hang it on the wall.
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November 5, 2009, 11:07 AM	#6
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	Consider the timeframe, in which that pistol was made/marketed: .22 rimfire was relatively new - and .22 LR hadn't been invented as yet. For it's time, the .22 Short wasn't considered mild - it was innovative, and in heavy use for self defense, especially by city folk and ladies (purse guns). There weren't many .22's in the marketplace - mostly the comparatively more expensive S&W Model 1 revolver and the Winchester Model 1873 Levergun. Sooooo, the "new" Stevens caused an unprecidented demand for itself - due to it's low price, utility and "cutting egde" chambering. Not many folks, back then did "plinking", as it was considered wasteful of money/ammo - but the design would certain qualify today. They would have been used as a utility pocket pistol, for defense (lead poisoning DID kill, back then B4 modern medicine), and/or trapline maintainence, whatever. Although the raised metal at the chamber edge can easily be swedged back into place (NEVER filed/ground off) with the proper tool - I wouldn't recommend doing so, since it would only encourage someone to fire it, and there's really NO safe ammo available for it today, AFAIK. I would make a small, glass-topped picture-frame/box to fit it, line the box with felt, and hang it on the wall. .