Stevens No. 41 Tip-Up Pistol

J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company · Pistol · Discontinued · 1903

Also known as: Stevens Model 41, Stevens No. 41 Tip-Up Derringer, Stevens No. 41 Pocket Pistol

Overview

The Stevens No. 41 Tip-Up is a single-shot, .22 rimfire pocket pistol built around an iron frame with a spur trigger and a tip-up barrel that pivots upward for loading and extraction. Carrying forward the tip-up action that founder Joshua Stevens patented in 1864, the cataloged No. 41 was an inexpensive concealable 'hide-out' gun made c. 1903-1916, fitted with a 3 1/2-inch barrel and offered in longer target versions for casual competition.

Specifications

Weight (empty)230 g (8.1 oz)
Overall Length165 mm (6.50")
Barrel Length89 mm (3.50")
Action TypeBreak Action
Firing MechanismHammer Fired
Trigger TypeSingle Action
Magazine Capacity1 rounds
Muzzle Velocity215 m/s (705 fps)
Muzzle Energy43 J (32 ft·lbf)
Effective Range15 m (16 yd)
Barrel RiflingRifled
Frame MaterialIron
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialWalnut
FinishBlued

Calibers

Features

Production

Production years: 1903-1916

Small-frame single-shot pocket pistol cataloged as the No. 41 c. 1903-1916, descended from the tip-up pistols Stevens had built since 1864; total production figures are not well documented.

Origin

Country of origin: United States

Designer: Joshua Stevens

Discontinued: 1916

Notes

Often fitted with longer barrels and target sights for casual target and competition shooting; succeeded in the Stevens line by the small 'Diamond' and 'Gem' single-shot pistols.

Background

Compact, cheap and easily hidden, the No. 41 typified the Victorian-era 'vest pocket' or hide-out pistol that ordinary citizens carried for personal protection. Its tip-up barrel made loading a single .22 cartridge quick, and longer-barreled examples found a second life on informal target ranges.