Stevens-Pope Schuetzen
J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company · Rifle · Discontinued · 1901
Also known as: Stevens-Pope Ideal, Stevens-Pope Schuetzen Special, Stevens-Pope Walnut Hill
Overview
The Stevens-Pope Schuetzen is a single-shot falling-block target rifle produced through the short-lived partnership between the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, and Harry M. Pope, regarded as the finest American barrel maker of his era. Built on Stevens' Ideal target actions and fitted with Pope's renowned precision-rifled heavy octagon barrels, these rifles were the pinnacle of American Schuetzen-style offhand target shooting at the turn of the 20th century. They feature double set triggers, an ornate finger lever, a hooked Schuetzen buttplate, a high comb, an adjustable palm rest, and Vernier tang sights, and were most often chambered in the accurate .32-40 cartridge.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 5900 g (208.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1220 mm (48.03") |
| Barrel Length | 813 mm (32.01") |
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Set |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 435 m/s (1427 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1011 J (746 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .32-40 Winchester · primary — 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: Pope Target Barrel, Heavy Octagon Barrel, Double Set Triggers, Ornate Finger Lever, Adjustable Palm Rest, Schuetzen Buttplate, High Comb Buttstock, Vernier Tang Sight
Service history
Operators
- American Schuetzen competitive shooters
Production
Production years: 1901-1906
Produced only during the brief Pope-Stevens partnership; surviving genuine examples are rare
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Harry M. Pope
Discontinued: 1906
Notes
Stevens-Pope rifles were marked 'Stevens-Pope'. Pope's barrels were also offered on Stevens No. 49 Walnut Hill, No. 52 Schuetzen Junior, and No. 54 Schuetzen Special actions. The partnership collapsed within a few years due to personality clashes, making genuine factory Stevens-Pope rifles scarce and highly prized by collectors.
Background
Harry M. Pope was a perfectionist riflesmith whose hand-rifled, gain-twist barrels and breech-seated bullet technique set accuracy records that stood for decades. His brief in-house tenure at Stevens around 1901 produced some of the most coveted American target rifles ever made before clashes with company management ended the collaboration.