What is age of a J Stevens single shot 12 gauge shotgun?

Answer 1

Well i think it might have been made sometime in 1913, send me a picture if u have one . My father has one him self to and i was wondering the price on it. There is no way to find an exact date of manufacture, but "J. STEVENS ARMS COMPANY" was the name used after Stevens became a division of Savage Arms in 1920. If you know it is at least 80 years old, that narrows it down to a 4 year period. Hate to confuse you further, but, according to "Stevens Pistols and Pocket Rifles" by Kenneth L. Cope, the markings "J.StevensArms" was used as early as 1886! I have a rather modest collection of antique Stevens firearms. If you wish, email me a picture of your gun and I`ll try to identify it for you. Flayderman * 1864-1886 J. Stevens & Co. * 1886-1916 J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. * 1916-1942 J. Stevens Arms Co. The Blue Book * Founded 1864 as J. Stevens & Co. * 1886 Changed to J. Stevens Arms and Tool Co. * 1916 Plant sold to New England Westinghouse for manufacture of Mosin-Nagant Rifles. * 1920 Sold to Savage Arms and manufactured guns marked J. Stevens Arms Co. * This designation dropped in late 1940's and only the name Stevens used up to 1990 when it was discontinued. The Standard Catalog * 1864 began business as J. Stevens & Company * 1888 incorperated as J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company * 1920 taken over by Savage Arms. I'd say that if it doesn't include the "AND TOOL" part of the name, it's a Savage/Stevens made after 1920. Joe - about $75 in good useable condition. Not a lot more even if in Excellent condition. to whom this may concern My stepdad has one of these shotguns that when bought it came with two barrels one is a 12 and the other is a 20. He has told me that the barrels where 10 and 12 but on my findings it was the other way. On the 20 gauge barrel it says J.Stevens A&T where it was produced and the patent date sept 6 1864 that is stamped big. On the other barrel it is printed very small. I was told that it was bought new by his great grandfather or his great great grandfather it has been use by my stepfather many time when he was a kid it still functions but he will not let me take and shoot it once it does not look pretty but when your well over a hundred years old time takes its toll.If anyone wants to know something about it you can email me at Lfouse@peoplepc.com. == Fladderman's is referring to the company name changes and not necessarily the MARKING name changes. Here is what the only definitive reference book on Steven's guns says concerning the markings on the guns: 1864-1886 "J. Stevens & Co. Chicopee, Mass. Pat. Sept. 6, 1864" or "J. Stevens & Co. Chicopee Falls, Mass. Pat. Sept. 6, 1864" ............................................................................................................................... 1886-1916 "J. Stevens A & T Co. Chicopee Falls, Mass. USA Pat. Sept. 6, 1864" or "J. Stevens Arms Co. Chicopee Falls, Mass. USA" .............................................................................................................................. 1916-1942 "J. Stevens A & T Co. Chicopee Falls, Mass. USA" ................................................................................................................................... Reference: Stevens Pistols And Pocket Rifles by Kenneth L. Cope, publ. Museum Restoration Service, 1971. I happen to have a Stevens single barrel 12 GA with a known family history going back to the 1913-1915 period when it was first used and it has the marking "J. Stevens Arms Co. Chicopee Falls, Mass. USA" which puts it in the pre-1916 period, so it holds true.