Shotguns

Eastern Arms was a Sears Roebuck trade name. Manufacturers included Meriden Firearms, Iver Johnson A&C, Stevens/Savage Arms, and Crescent Firearms.

Mississippi Arms Co was a trade name used by the H.D. Folsom Arms Company on firearms made for the Shapleigh Hardware Company of St. Louis, MO.

You have the date of manufacture pretty close. No earlier than the 1913 patent date, and actually before 1916. New England Westinghouse purchased the Stevens plant in 1916 and used it to make Browning machine guns and Mosin-Nagant (Russian) military rifles. In 1920, the facility and Stevens name were purchased by Savage Arms Co. There is a lot of information on the Stevens company because it was one of the earliest US manufacturers of cartridge firearms (established in 1864 I believe). Stevens made several models of single shot shotguns, but there's not much collector interest in them, so there's not a lot of specific information available. Some models are probably scarcer than others, but most references just lump them all together and say they were produced from 1864 to 1948. Even in very good condition, most won't bring more than $75, but a 410 may bring twice that much.

This trade name was apparently owned by Hibbard Spencer and Bartlett Hardware of Chicago, and the guns were made by the current low bidder. It seems that they were made by Crescent Firearms (Folsom subsidiary), J. Stevens Arms Co (division of Savage), and Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works and possibly others. You may be able to determine who manufactured it by looking at single shots by these companies and trying to match all the little details.

25th edition of Blue Book is $165.00 nib..new in box..$120.00 95%. Here is another opinion: * A Stevens model 22/410 in mint condition is worth about $450.00. May bring more. One in 60% is still worth about $250.00. You can throw the book away on these. I am talking about the ones made in the late 30s and 40s. I agree with a value much higher than the Blue Book, which is way too low. If you can find a .22/.410 "NIB" for $165, buy a hundred of them! Current values on line and at gunshows start around $250 or $275 and go as high as $600.

Made by the Stevens division of Savage Arms between 1931 and 1948.

The original owner would have been the United States Government, but there are no records to show who actually carried it. The Springfield Research Center has dug through the National Archives for any recorded serial numbers, but yours is not on the list. However, it is only 161 numbers away from an Ithaca 37 which was inventoried at the Panama Ordinance Department in 1946.

Note about refinishing: Military shotguns are collectable, but a collector would prefer one with some of its original finish over one that has been refinished.

The Arsenals rebuilt their firearms whenever it was needed. Many firearms that started out blued were parkerized in the rebuilding process. There are many firearms out there that show no use what so ever because of: 1) It was never issued or 2) It went through rebuild and never reissued. In this case it is actually worth more.

If it has both the Stevens and Savage names on it, it was made between 1948 and 1991. Any gunsmith should be able to find parts for it, or you can try Numrich Gunparts.

This was the method of making shotgun barrels in the 19th century. Strips of metal or wire were wound around a mandrell and hammer-welded. "Twist", "Stubb Twist" and "Damascus" are all types of laminated barrels. Although they were safe enough when made, if a gun has not been properly cared for in the intervening 100 years, they may have developed sub-surface rust spots which could cause them to fail. And modern shells are much more powerful than the black powder ammunition that was available in the 1890's, so a gun with laminated barrels should not be shot unless it has been checked by an experienced gunsmith, and then only with the loads appropriate for its construction.

This name has been used by several companies, but most of the shotguns encountered with this name will have been made by Ithaca around 1930 - 1950. If your father only THINKS it is a century old, I would bet it is one of these. However if he KNOWS it is that old, I have found one listing that says the name was used by Bacon Arms but it does not say whether or not it was used on shotguns. All other references to Western Arms that I find are for handguns.

I hope there is a double "L" on that name. C.G.Bonehill was a manufacturer in Birmingham, England, 1872-1965. If there really is only one "L", then your gun is probably a Belgian knockoff. Either way, its value will be directly related to how well it looks over the mantle, usually around $125-$150. Maybe a bit more since it is marked with the maker's name instead of a store brand.

Certainly not old enough to be a collectable. To determine the value, figure about half to 2/3 of the price for the cheapest new bolt action 20 gauge at WalMart.

The Online Gun auction site Gunbroker is good source for "parts guns", which are completed, but inoperable guns being sold for the parts value. There are also "Parts Kits" which are all of the parts that have been stripped off of guns being destroyed by a Police or Sheriff department. Typically the frame/receiver section is cut up and everything else... barrel, internal parts, stocks, etc. are sold.

Ebay, which recently reversed a policy decision to not allow firearm parts (The ban came shortly after the Virgina Tech shootings), has again become a source of parts. As always "buyer beware" as those venues are subject to parts dumping, plus with any used part, you have to approach it with the knowledge that the past history of the gun that the part came off of is unknown, so the condition of part itself in doubt.

== == "Riverside" was a brand model shotgun produced by the J. Stevens Co. (which was bought out by Savage in 1920) - These were utility grade double barrel shotguns manufactured between 1877 and 1988. If the serial number is prefixed with a letter it was manufactured after 1949. If there is no letter, it was manufactured prior to that. Thats the best I can do.

Leige, Belgium, has been the location of many firearms manufacturers for at least 2 centuries, so I suspect that is where it was made. My database doesn't have any thing even close to "Masquelier". If you can find any proofmarks, they may give a hint to the approximate date. Value will depend on the quality of the gun and its condition, but unless it is elaborately decorated and almost as new, it will not be great. If it has side hammers and damascus or twist steel barrels, it is most likely to sell as a mantle decoration for $125-$150. If an experienced gunsmith approves it for use, it may attract the attention of a Cowboy Action Shooter willing to pay about twice that. If it is a bit newer, with back hammers and fluid steel barrels, it should still be a shooter (again, only if approved by a gunsmith), worth $250 or more.

I can't find Loomis in any of my references. If it is a utility grade, double barrel, probably with side hammers, I will guess that you will discover Belgian proof marks under the barrels. Look for an oval surrounding the letters ELG or a mark that looks like the Washington Monument. Several million similar guns were imported to the US c. 1880-1915, marked with several hundred trade names. If you know the location where it was acquired c. 1900, check the old business records for a Loomis Hardware or Loomis Mercantile store.

I have one. I bought it at JM Fields (long since out of business) in 1960. It has Brecia Italy proof marks. Has given good service. I don't know value, but would like to.

You didn't really ask a question. The markings are probably worn and the FPA is realy ERA. New Era Gun Works was a trade name used by the Baker Gun Company on firearms made for an unknown retailer, c. 1890-1919.

Take it to a gunsmith and ask him to measure it. He probably won't even charge you for something this simple. If you have a lot of shotguns to check, you can buy a gauge from him.

If a dime does not fit down the end of the barral it was full choke. If it is a modified choke a dime will fit inside. Just my 2 cents

Your gun was made between 1920 and 1948.

I have confirmed that the shotgun is indeed a Stevens. Can anyone give me a date of manufacturer based on the above stamping numbers?

Serial number lists are not available for Stevens guns, but if you will tell me exactly how the Stevens comapny name is written on the gun, I can give you a general time-period.