Stevens Ideal No. 52 Schuetzen Jr.
J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company · Rifle · Discontinued · 1897
Also known as: Stevens Schuetzen Junior, Ideal Schuetzen Jr., No. 52
Overview
The Stevens Ideal No. 52 'Schuetzen Jr.' is an American single-shot target rifle built on the falling-block Ideal No. 44 (and later No. 44 1/2) action. Chambered most commonly in .22 Long Rifle, with center-fire options such as .32-40, it was the most popular of the high-grade rifles J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company offered. It features double-set triggers, a checkered walnut pistol-grip stock with cheekpiece and Schuetzen buttplate, a folding palm rest, a half-octagon barrel, and a globe front sight paired with a tang-mounted aperture peep sight for precision Schuetzen-style offhand competition.
Specifications
| Barrel Length | 711 mm (27.99") |
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Set Trigger |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 330 m/s (1083 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 141 J (104 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Case Hardened |
Calibers
- .22 Long Rifle · primary — also known as .22 LR, 22 LR, 5.6x15mmR
- .32-40 Winchester — also known as .32-40 Ballard, .32-40 WCF, .32-40
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Double Set Triggers, Half Octagon Barrel, Checkered Pistol Grip Stock, Cheekpiece, Schuetzen Buttplate, Folding Palm Rest, Globe Front Sight, Tang Mounted Aperture Peep Sight, Three Finger Loop Lever, Takedown
Service history
Operators
- Civilian target shooters
Production
Production years: 1897-1916
Built on the Ideal No. 44 / No. 44 1/2 action; exact production figures for the No. 52 grade are not documented
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Joshua Stevens
Discontinued: 1916
Notes
The 'Junior' designation marks a lighter, more affordable member of the Stevens Schuetzen family relative to the full-weight Stevens-Pope and No. 54/No. 55 target rifles. Some examples were fitted with Pope barrels. Barrel lengths of 28 and 30 inches are documented.
Background
Schuetzen shooting was a German-American offhand target sport hugely popular in turn-of-the-century America, and the ornate loop-lever Stevens Ideal rifles like the No. 52 'Junior' were prized for their graceful, serpentine lines and match-grade accuracy at 200 yards.