Gots me a new/old rockchuck rifle coming

[JDHasty]

CC Johnson 44 1/2 Stevens in 219 Donaldson wasp.  Stumbled across it on an obscure auction site and after three weeks it finally got to my FFL, so at least I got to look it over and fondle it.  CC Johnson was all that in the 1940s and 50s. 

I have a couple Feckers I’m pretty fond of and a few other externally adjustable target/varmint scopes.  I’m going to go with one of the Feckers on it.  One has fine crosshairs hairs, the other a TK Lee dot.  Probably the one with Lee dot.

It will be neat to find out who it was built for.  ASSRA maintains a data base tracking rifles that came out of that shop and CC Johnson’s grandson has the shop logs. 

I have scads of newly formed 219 DW brass, now I just need to cool off or whatever for a couple weeks. 

[Dan-o]

219 DW is a really cool/interesting/unique cartridge.

Very cool.

[JDHasty]

I revisit CS Landis books annually and have wanted a decent Stevens 44-1/2.  When I stumbled on this, I never thought I would win the auction.  I have been thinking about a 219 DW on a Stevens 44 1/2 for 30 years. 

The great thing about this particular single shot action is that swapping barrels on and off is about as slick as an Encore or Contender.  I can make up a 30-30 or 7-30 Waters and use it for big game and 219 Zipper Improved that is like a rimmed 22-250 and a 17 Hornet or Ackley Bee or 22 Hornet or 218 Bee barrels.  Not that I would ever do anything like that.  Yea right, my mind is already plotting. 

[GWP]

Very fun! Congrats on the new/old very cool rifle.

[Blacktail Sniper]

Will it be getting a make over like the last one or going to keep as-is?

Looking forward to seeing how it shoots and what you find out about its history.

[mountainman]

That’s a cool classic JD!!

[JDHasty]

Will it be getting a make over like the last one or going to keep as-is?

Looking forward to seeing how it shoots and what you find out about its history.

No way!  I’m pretty sensitive about preserving firearms that have a documented provenance linking them to a rifle smith like the CC Johnson shop or have historical value as a scarce factory produced rifle in original condition. 

I have a few others, one is a Winchester Model 43 in 218 Bee that is a factory slick barrel.  No sights.  It’s so rare that many Winchester collectors have heard of them, but never actually seen or held one.  I’m pretty careful not to beat it up or alter it.  I shoot chucks with it, but don’t haul it up into talus slopes.  It’s in really nice shape. 

My “restoration” projects are not really proper restorations.  I frequently start with refugees from gun breakers or begin with an orphaned action or barreled action.  I am not equipped to do a proper restoration, the the kind of work that Wyoming Armory does, but can get pretty close most of the time. 

The Cinnabar YouTube channel has a lot of what they do if anyone is interested in what a true restoration consists of.  If I had the capacity to I would love to do that kind of work.

The half nickels and color cased action Model 90 and 1906s I have done are not actual restorations at all, but those were options that were available.  As was slow rust bluing and hand rubbed oil on the stock.  So, in that regard they are kind of correct. 

Very few pistol grip Model 1890s were special ordered, but they are popular with guys that like to monkey with Model 1890s.  The lower tangs are bent and it’s hard to tell they are not factory produced.  There were so many produced that other than documented rare factory special ordered ones nobody really has any qualms changing them around to suit the current owner. 

I’m of mind to build a guide so that I can hand matt the top flat of the octagon barrels with a checkering file.  Just because I think it would be neat looking.  It takes a couple hours to hand checker a front strap on a Colt 1911, I imagine it will take me 16 or 20 to do the entire flat on an octagon barrel. 

[JDHasty]

That’s a cool classic JD!!

I feel lucky and blessed to have the opportunity to have an actual CC Johnson varmint rifle.  To have one in 219 DW is icing on the cake. 

Something I have read about, but never thought I’d be in position to actually own one.  It certainly helped that I was able to recognize it for what it is.  There were two CC Johnson rifles in that auction.  The other one is a Sharps Borchard in 219 Donaldson Wasp.  I think the guy that got it feels the same way.

[Macs B]

Greeat Rifle!  Love that classic scope, I was once instructed that you don't adjust those scopes.  Instead you shift the world around them to bring it into zero.

[chukarchaser]

hell yes very cool

[JDHasty]

Well, this should be fun.  I’m thinking 6mm 30-30 Ackley to start with.  The nice thing about Stevens is that it doesn’t take much to spin a barrel off and a different caliber barrel on. No more trouble than a Contender to change caliber if it is the same case head size.  About five minutes longer if you need to change out the extractor.

Bought a CPA action yesterday.  A tad bigger than a 44 1/2, and made from the best steel.  Probably better make my mind up and get a barrel blank ordered. 

No time to lose if I’m going to have it to use by this time next year. 

[JDHasty]

Well, the plot thickens. 

The complete shop logs are available from the CC Johnson’s grandson, I just need to get hold of him and get the pages for this rifle.

The barrel is tight to the action, it is not a takedown any longer, and it has a single set trigger that appears to function very well. There is a spacer between the mainspring and lower tang... and that's as far as I have gotten so far. There is a set screw that enters the front of the trigger casting that I can see looking in from below. These Stevens were very highly regarded small bore target rifles through the early 1960’s and there were a number of aftermarket triggers available for them. 

The rifle shows evidence of having had the best of care taken of it.  It has a very light coat of oil throughout that has turned amber and has solidified to a wax like varnish both inside and out. The bore is immaculate.

I got a bit sidetracked after getting it here and have only looked it over, cleaned up the exterior and put a couple coats of Ren Wax on it and given the stock a wipe down with saddle soap on a soft cloth followed by a couple coats of Ren Wax. 

I haven't taken any photos other than of just the action showing the color case finish, but will and will post them. 

[JDHasty]

Here are a few photos of the CC Johnson 44 1/2 that I originally posted about. 

[JDHasty]

More photos and more on what I’m discovering about this beautiful old rifle here

https://www.rimfirecentral.com/threads/cc-johnson-stevens-44-1-2-219-donaldson.1319040/

[Rob]

Beautiful Rifle!  Thanks for posting the photos.

I have always enjoyed the old guns.  Very cool that there are some documents you can potentially reference to know the history.

Not to hijack your thread, but I was given an Astra 900 "Broom Handle" by my father a few years back.  Mint condition never fired.  I have not been able to track down mfg date, but they were made by Astra between 1927 and 1943 I think.  I like to take it out and look it over from time to time!