Manufactured from 1897 to 1916, with this example have a special order extra heavy #5 weight full octagon barrel. The barrel has a false muzzle, globe front sight and Stevens scope. The Stevens scope is a #487 with cross hair reticle, external mounts on barrel mounted target blocks. The rifle is also equipped with a Stevens windgage adjustable mid-range Vernier tang sight. The false muzzle has the number "1739," with is also the number that appears on the barrel under the forearm. The top of the barrel is marked "STEVENS-POPE/MANUFACTURED BY THE J. STEVENS ARMS & TOOL CO. CHICOPEE FALLS MASS. U.S.A." The extra heavy 44 frame has full coverage scroll engraving and engraved borders and top flats and is equipped with double set triggers. The spur lever has a checkered walnut insert. Mounted with a highly figured special order pistol grip stock and forearm featuring fleur-de-lis checkering and incise carving, carved/contoured grip base, large cheekpiece and large Schuetzen buttplate. The forearm has a "T" handle palm rest. Other accessories include: brass bullet starter, hickory loading rod, nickel plated re/decapper, double cut-off bullet mold, bullet lubricator, duplex power measure with brass calibrated head, tin reservoir and brass drop tube extension. This rifle with accessories was the cover rifle of the Gun Report Volume 45, No. 2 July 1999 (issue is provided).

Excellent. The rifle retain 95% original blue finish showing some high edge wear on the buttplate. The action retains 90% plus original case colors. The wood is also excellent showing a few minor handling marks with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. This is a top of the line Stevens and a rare special order target rifle. Maybe the very best 44 action Model 54 with Pope barrel and accessories to be offered in recent times. Provenance: Robert M. Lee Collection.