7
it was used in the civil war by the groud soliders.
If your Stevens is a bolt action, it is NOT a visible loader. If it has any part (perhaps the barrel) that is marked as a visible loader, that part has been replaced.
A 'muzzle loader' is any firearm (or cannon) which does not have a breech mechanism and which is 'charged' (loaded with powder and shot) from the muzzle end of the barrel.
About the time of the American Civil War- in the 1860s. The Spencer was a cartridge firing, breech loading, rifled repeater. The Burnside used a metal cartridge and a tape primer. The Sharps (as in Sharpshooter) used a paper cartridge, but was a breech loader. One breech loader saw limited use by a few British soldiers during the American revolution- the Howe. It was a flintlock, but loaded from the breech.
1928
boot loader
Breech loading firearms can be reloaded much more quickly, they can be reloaded when moving, and they are easy to reload when lying down. The muzzleloader must be loaded when standing upright.
W. W. Greener has written: 'The breech-loader and how to use it' 'Modern breech-loaders, sporting & military' -- subject(s): Firearms 'Modern shot guns' -- subject(s): Shotguns
It can not be any older than 1907
Thompson center
No disrespect intended, but honestly, with no more description than you have given, it could be anywhere from $10 to $50,000 or even more. If manufactured in 1818, it could still be a flintlock and by 1909 it would almost certainly be a breech-loader. A "typical" utility double barrel, either a percussion muzzle-loader circa 1830-1880 or an early breech-loader circa 1865-1915, should bring from $100 to $250 as a mantle decoration. Shotguns by the top makers like Westley Richards or Parker Bros will bring thousands of dollars.
100-400 or so