The No. 49 "Walnut Hill" rifles were manufactured between around 1896 to the 1930s. This rifle was built on a No. 44 action marked "49 0" on the front face with elaborate engraving consisting of panels of scroll patterns and border designs. It has a globe front sight with spirit level, scope blocks, the two-line J. Stevens A&T Co. address/patent dates marking (partially obscured by the rear scope block), and "22 LR" followed by "A.O. NIEDNER/MALDEN MASS." Adolph Otto Niedner (1863-1954) was a pioneering gunsmith best known for his work on cartridges such as .22 LR and .25-06 Remington. His shop in Malden was opened in 1906. The no. "0" barrel is numbered to the gun. The rifle has double set triggers, a tang peep sight adjustable for windage and elevation, Swiss buttplate, and leather Rowley Pad cheek pad. The forearm and pistol grip stock is checkered.

Fine. The barrel and buttplate retain 95% plus of the period custom refinished blue taking on an attractive plum hue. The barrel is slightly shortened. The frame retains 40% original case colors. The wood is very fine with a very faint stress line at the upper tang, some scattered minor handling marks, and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.