The guys over at Smith & Wesson have decided to have a Model 1854 Stealth Hunter, a rather dashing piece of kit that takes the timeless appeal of the lever-gun and slathers it in a matte-black, tactical aesthetic, chambered in the venerable .30-30 Winchester cartridge. This is a round that’s been taking deer and various other four-legged creatures out to tea since 1895. It’s certainly a blend of old-school charm and contemporary practicality, ensuring it catches the eye of both the seasoned hunter and the chap who just enjoys a good day at the range.

Now, the .30-30 Win. cartridge itself is something of a legend. It was, famously, the first small-bore sporting rifle cartridge designed to use smokeless powder, cementing its place in firearms history. It's often affectionately called the "thutty-thutty" across the pond, and it remains a superb medium-game cartridge. While modern rifles and cartridges might boast flatter trajectories and higher velocities, the .30-30 retains a perfectly adequate punch and, crucially, a rather agreeable recoil. It's a proper working cartridge, not given to histrionics, and Smith & Wesson has clearly respected its lineage by choosing it for this new platform.

The Stealth Hunter doesn't just rely on its heritage; it brings a significant host of modern features to the party. The standard 1854 model was impressive enough, but this "Stealth" variant is built for the modern shooting enthusiast. The rifle keeps things sensible with a 5+1 capacity and a relatively short 16.5-inch 410 stainless-steel barrel, which should make it quite handy in denser woodland—or perhaps a rather snug hide. At a comfortable 6.95 pounds and an overall length of 34.3 inches, it won't give your arm the sort of strain you might associate with moving a slightly heavy sofa.

Aesthetically, it's all rather 'secret agent chic.' The rifle is finished in a sleek, all-black Armornite coating, giving it a durable, low-reflectivity look. But the real performance upgrades are where things get interesting. For a start, the trigger mechanism has been thoughtfully redesigned. A flat trigger design aims to promote consistent finger placement, which, as any decent shot will tell you, is jolly important for consistent accuracy. It’s all about removing variables and keeping things steady, isn't it?

The inclusion of an extended 10.5-inch Picatinny rail is a definite nod to the contemporary shooter. Lever-action rifles, traditionally, haven't been the most accommodating for modern optics, but this rail offers ample space for a wide array of scopes or red dot sights. Furthermore, the rifle sports a large loop lever, making it far easier to cycle the action, even if one is wearing a slightly bulky pair of shooting gloves. For those who enjoy a bit of quiet refinement, the muzzle is threaded (5/8-24), ready for a sound suppressor—a necessary addition for those wishing to avoid the full bang and settle for a more discreet thwack during a day of pest control or stalking.

Up front, the rifle boasts a clever T6 aluminium forend. Aluminium, of course, keeps the weight down without compromising durability, which is handy. This forend isn't just a casing; it's a modular system, featuring fifteen M-LOK compatible slots. This allows the owner to quite easily bolt on various bits of kit—a tactical light, a vertical grip, or even a simple bipod—without having to resort to any questionable DIY solutions. It’s certainly far more accommodating than the simple wooden forearms of yesteryear.

Furthermore, sight picture has been taken care of with the inclusion of an HIVIZ Litewave H3 fibre optic front sight. These sights are a significant upgrade over traditional iron sights, managing to draw in light to provide a bright, clear sight picture in both bright daylight and those rather murky, low-light conditions often encountered at dawn or dusk. It ensures that your aiming point is crisp and defined, which is vital when you've finally spotted that elusive quarry or are simply trying to impress your mates on the range.

It seems Smith & Wesson has done a decent job of taking a much-loved classic and bringing it bang up to date without, thankfully, reinventing the wheel entirely. The Model 1854 Stealth Hunter is clearly a thoughtful response to the renewed interest in lever-action rifles, blending reliable, traditional ballistics with the modularity and aesthetics demanded by today's market. It’s a stylish piece of kit, ready for the woods or the range, and one suspects it will be quite a hit.