Lot 1043

Factory Etched Stevens Ideal No. 53 Schuetzen Rifle

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Factory Etched Stevens Ideal No. 53 Schuetzen Rifle

Estimate: $3,500 - $5,500

Starting Bid: $3,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Attractive and Rare Factory Etched Stevens Ideal No. 53 Schuetzen Single Shot Rifle Manufactured c. the 1890s to 1916, this is a rare example of the uncatalogued Stevens Ideal No. 53 Schuetzen rifle built on the Ideal No. 44 action. The No. 53 appears to have been an uncatalogued model that Stevens offered, and it is also skipped over by Norm Flayderman in his guide book. Examples of this model are very scarce and all appear to have been quite special ordered. We have catalogued two previous examples here at Rock Island Auction Company, one of which was covered by Grant on p. 37 of "Still More Single Shots", where the author noted that it was the only No. 53 he had ever seen. The action is attractively factory etched with a panel scene of a stag on the right and a hunting dog on the left, both surrounded by floral scrolls on a matted background. The top of the barrel has the standard two-line J. Stevens A&T Co. address, while the "28-30" caliber marking is on the upper left flat. The serial number is marked on the bottom of the barrel just in front of the forearm, while "22" and "1" are marked under the forearm. The "22" marking denotes that the barrel has been relined, and the firing pin has been converted to rimfire. The serial number is also on the lower tang, with the second "3" obscured by a screw. The front of the frame has the "53" model marking, as well as "1/P" and "9". It is fitted with a globe front sight, no provision for a rear sight on the barrel, and a peep sight mounted on the upper tang. It is mounted with a Schnabel tipped forearm and pistol grip stock, both with factory multi-point checkering, a cheekpiece on the left, and a Swiss/Schuetzen type buttplate.

Manufacturer: Stevens J A&T Co

Model: Single Shot

BBL: 28 inch part octagon

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 22 RF

Finish: blue/casehardened

Serial Number3317

Class: Curio & Relic Long Gun

  • Condition: Fine, retains 70% of the original blue finish and 50% plus of the original case colors with some old blue touch up on the barrel near the muzzle and on the bottom, some light wear, and crisp etching on the action. The wood is also fine with some scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000