The Ideal No. 54 was manufactured from the late 1890s until 1916 for off-hand target shooting using both No. 44 and 44 1/2 actions. This example has the more desirable No. 44 1/2 action introduced in 1904 and weighs 12 pounds. It is equipped with a globe front sight, no rear dovetail on the barrel, and a short range Vernier peep sight on the tang adjustable for windage and elevation and a rotating disk allowing selection from multiple aperture sizes. The barrel is marked with the two-line "J. STEVENS A. & T. Co./CHICOPEE FALLS, MASS. U.S.A." marking on top at the breech, "SPECIAL STEEL FOR/SMOKELESS POWDERS" on the upper right, and "28.30" on the upper left. The underside has a "1" and the matching serial number. The receiver has "54 0" on the front face and is engraved with scrollwork patterns and deer (right) and bear (left) panel scenes. It is equipped with double set triggers and a spurred lever with walnut grip panels. The straight wrist stock and Schnabel tip forearm have multi-point checkering and "perch belly" profiles. The stock also has scalloped designs at the rear of the checkering, attractive feathered figure, a high comb, large cheek rest, and a Swiss buttplate. The latter has an identification number of a prior owner as well as the matching partial serial number "083" on the underside. The butt has the same partial serial number in pencil, and "13" is marked on the lever and lever panels. The rear face of the forearm has "G/083." This example has never been fitted with a palm rest and includes a wooden bore rod.