The Stevens Ideal No. 53 rifles are so rare that Flayderman skips straight from the No. 52 to the No. 54 in his catalog and notes that "No No. 53 appears to have been made or issued in the Ideal line." We have only sold one other which was also in the 4000 serial number range and had different engraving. This rifle is discussed and noted by serial number on page 37 of "Still More Single Shots" by James Grant and noted as the only "53" marked No. 53 he had seen. He also mentions the factory false muzzle for loading from the muzzle and states that this feature was not what designated it as a No. 53. The included 1948 letter from Walter A. Burke Jr. to B.B. Bobbett also indicates this rifle is pictured on page 163 of L.D. Satterlee's "Catalog of Firearms." Burke writes, "the inference I have is that the model 53, was the best and most expensive of the 44 action rifles." He also notes that he purchased it from the "Wilson collection" and that the previous description for the rifle noted it was "The best specimen of its kind I know of. A real museum piece." It was likely manufacture circa 1897-1902 period and has false muzzle, globe front sight, no rear barrel sight dovetail, the two-line J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. address and patent marking on top near the breech, "38.55" on the upper left ahead of the breech, matching serial number on the bottom of the barrel and the lower tang, checkered forearm with carved fluer-de-lis accents and a non-factory palm rest (two handles included), matching partial serial number on the rear of the forearm, "53 0" on the front of the action, scroll engraved action, mid-range tang peep sight, double set triggers, hooked lever with walnut grip panels, and a checkered high comb buttstock with checkering, fluer-de-lis carving, cheekpiece and a casehardened Swiss buttplate.