1930's or older Mass.Arms.Co. Chicopee Falls.Mass.

[chrisbob]

I Just bought a 12 gauge w/ these markings on the left side of the receiver. It is a single shot w/ the break lever on top. Left to right. The guy who sold it said it is over 100 yrs old ?? I brought it to a shop where another customer said it was made around 1930. I don't know? It has a 3 digit serial # 585. The barrel is marked " * choke bored * . This is all I know about it. I tried the internet, but haven't come up with anything for this particular gun or model. If anyone can tell me a sight to look at or give me info. The manufacturers name is Mass,ArmsCo.
ChicopeeFalls,Mass.

This is the second shot gun I have ever owned. I don't anything about them. Except what I hear and read.

 

[JohnBT]

I guess it depends on when it was made.

The first thing I ran across using Google was "Trade name used by J. Stevens Arms and Tool Company on firearms for Blish, Mizet and Silliman Hardware Company of Atchinson, KS. Manufactured c. 1900-1920."

But in the previous century there were many guns made, such as:

www.armchairgunshow.com/otsMW_Civil_War_carbine.htm

"Very rare cased presentation set, Mass. Arms Co. - Maynard Breechloading Percussion Metallic cartridge Sporting Carbine - Three barrel set, with all accoutrements, attributed to Civil War Union Major Wynn. - 32" & 20" .35 caliber rifle barrels; 26" 16 ga. shotgun barrel; all oct./rd. - Excellent condition. - Crisp metal on all parts w/ excellent markings; receiver case color has turned gray & silver w/ salt & pepper spotting, except on tang where colors are still bright; some very small areas of pitting around nipple primarily on hammer; tang sight mounted; excellent mech & nipple. Long rifle barrel 97% original soft blue; short barrel 80% on top half w/ bottom half about turned gray; shotgun barrel maybe 80%, thinning. Each barrel has it’s lever and appropriate sights attached; excellent bores in the rifle barrels, with some individual pits in the otherwise good shotgun bore. All three barrels are numbered to the receiver, s/n 26230. "

- $11,000

 

[Hoppy590]

Mass Arm co. is store brand name for Stevens arms of Chicopee MA. The shotgun was probibly sold in a department store under that name as kind of the "house" gun. judging by the serial number being in only the 100's id certainly say its an old gun.

 

[chrisbob]

I just put it back together after a serious cleaning. There is some moderate wear on most parts. Some pitting in the barrel. I would like to find some replacement parts, but a knowledgeable smith told me not to as long as it shoots? One of the springs holding the break lever is broke, but doesn't affect shooting. I haven't tried Numrich yet I be going there soon just to see if they have anything.

Thanx 4 the replies

 

[chrisbob]

I tried google and found the same info you told me. Plus alot more ?'s. I have read several posts on this forum. The barrel is stamped *choke bored* it is 30" from breech to barrel end. I put a dime in it. It fell straight through. Someone said that it has had alot of slugs through it. Does this mean I can shoot slugs through it now? I would like to shoot it. I don't even know the mod. # to find parts. I put an empty shell in w/ just the primer and it fired. If the barrel is flared out can I still shoot shot safely? It lookes good to the naked eye.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Heavy loads in a shotgun as light as this one will tear you a new one. Stick to light loads of shot.

As with ALL old guns, a smith should check it out before shooting.

 

[ABTOMAT]

Make _DARN_ sure that the barrel is of modern construction and strong enough for new loads. Tons of generic shotguns made around the turn of the century were either damascus or really bad steel. Meant for the weak BP loads of the time.

 

[chrisbob]

thanks for the help

I have found a little on the net, but not as much as I want. I am going to take it to a smith as soon as possible. He may be able to tell me the type of steel it is made out of, and if it is safe to shoot. If I can't shoot it it will look nice on the wall. I think it is o.k. to shoot, but will wait for the final verdict.

 

[Caeser2001]

I just inherited one which sounds just like you describe. op, did you find any more info. mine has the serial # of 870

 

[ncsuforestry]

My great grandfather gave me a gun that sounds exactly like these right before he passed away. he told me that it was my great grandmothers, grandfathers shotgun. My great grandmother was born in 1926, so i always figured that it was a very old gun. I cannot find a serial number on it anywhere. It has the markings Nitro Special on the side of it. It also says Mass,ArmsCo. ChicopeeFalls,Mass. and says choke bored on the side of it.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Welcome to the BB. My bet is it's also a Stevens. Good shotguns, though not much sought after by collectors.

As a symbol of your heritage, it's priceless. Take good care of it.