The Tip Up – The Gun That Started Stevens

What collectors call the Tip Up Rifle was known simply as the Stevens Rifle. This Tip Up design originated with an 1864 patent awarded to Joshua Stevens for a tip pistol. From this Stevens made numerous pistols, rifles and shot guns. The Tip Up was in production in one form or another from 1864 to 1939. The design was a success.

Stevens No. 2 from 1900 Catalog

The rifle version of the Tip Up was made beginning about 1872, and the last catalog listing is from 1900. The Tip Up was being replaced by the falling block design beginning in 1892. The focus of this display is the falling block rifles, but it is good to know where things came from. Tip Up Rifles were produced from 1872 to 1900.

The display features one of the last great Tip Up target rifles, a Model 14 Ladies’ Model in .22 Long rifle circa 1895. Stevens introduced the .22 Long Rifle in 1887. The .22 Long Rifle is the most prolific cartridge ever, so think of Stevens when you shoot one.