Help with older shotgun

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ConfederateHoosier

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Hello everyone, long time reader but first time poster here on THR.

I have a bit of a problem, my Grandpa was an avid shooter and gunsmith with his own repair shop. However he died before I was born so I never got to meet him or else I wouldnt be asking this question. Anyway about 8 months ago I took all of his reloading equipment (shotgun and centerfire) which was collecting dust and learned how to use it, I also picked up boxs of old gun parts from firearms no longer made. But the best find was and old sxs 12ga and this is where my problem begins. It functions fine but the stock is cracked bad and needs a new one however I dont know what the gun is! All it says is:

"J.Stevens A & T.Cs(or 2 cant tell)
Chicapee(?) Falls, MN USA
-Pats Appl'd For-"

It also gives a serial number under the forearm which is 41xx

any help I could get would be greatly apprciated

PS if anyone has an old Model 12 Winchester I found a box with a new stock , recoil pad and forearm (lol well not new but never used I guess) I would be glad to sell it to anyone who may need it. Thank you again!
 
The gun was made by J. Stevens Arms and Tool Co., Chicopee Falls, Mass., between 1886 and 1916. Serial number records and production data have long been lost. They made several shotgun models; the earlier ones had Damascus (twist steel so-called)barrels, and I don't recommend firing them even with light loads. The most common model was the one that eventually became the Model 311.

A stock is a problem. Some stocks are available for the 311, but I have no way of knowing if one would fit your gun. You might try www.gunpartscorp.com and see what they have. But here is the dilemma. If you have to have a stock made, the cost will be far greater than the value of the gun. Few stock makers will tackle the job unless you effectively pay up front, since too many folks will have the work done, look at the bill, and walk away, leaving the gunsmith or stock maker stuck with a lot of time and money invested in an unsaleable gun.

I know you would like to restore the gun because of the family association, but I suspect your grandfather encountered the same problems, which is why he left the gun unrepaired.

Jim
 
Hmm, well I looked at some stocks for a 311 and I do believe they will fit, however i dont believe this gun has damascus barrels, is there any other way to tell aside from the pattern that all damascus barrels have?
 
Post some images of the Stock...


Probably could be repaired...I used to do a lot of similar Work, 'conservation' work...long-breaks on Antique Tables and Chair Legs and other...and could render an opinion if you liked.


Any old S&W Hand Ejector/M&P parts, barrels, frames, Cylinders and so on, amid the odds and ends?


I'd be interested if there are...
 
Ok i will post pics as soon as I figure out how too lol, but I will rummage through these boxs and find out as there are ALOT of odds and ends (old magazines for old guns still in the package!) , most of the parts are in envelopes and just have numbers on them but I will surely look and the stock is missing the a whole piece on the right side from the bottom of the tang to the reciever , but i will post pics
 
Oye...aye...yeeeeeeesh...yeahhhhh, that's pretty bad...


I was expecting a nice honest crack or splinter or both..!


If that much is long missing...yahhhh...best find a replacement Stock....just as you'd originally said.


Oh well...
 
just a thought, never done it myself but y not get a stock blank and try to make your own? Grandaddys gun might become a sought after family hierloom then. it would have a mix of him and you in it. just a thought
 
A DIY stock depends on how good a woodworker you are. If you have some confidence and the financial ability to absorb at least one mistake, you might give it a try. I am not enough of a woodworker to give advice except that lipstick is good for marking the high spots. It will take patience, a steady hand, and some skill, but it is not impossible.

Jim
 
Well guys I would attempt that, however I am not a woodworker at all so if tried the stock blank idea my uncle could probably help as he is a carpenter, but I do feel confident in minor fitting of a stock, I looked at a few places online and they all seem to say that the lenght of the upper tang is the best indicator of which stock I would need, since , most of these early stevens have no model numbers, but the tang is 3 1/8 which puts it in the 311 series 1 catagory, if no else sees any other option I will just order the stock and hopefully it will fit with or without any minor fitting.

PS and Oyeboten I have not found any of the parts you listed however I will be going back this weekend and will rummage through more boxes
 
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Thanks ConfederateHoosier..!


I much appreciate that.

Yes...anything older S&W or Colt parts or C&R 'junker' Guns, I'd be interested.

Learning-learning-learning...and...doing...


I've made a few Butt Stocks from scratch, and, yeahhhh, unless one has a fair amount of similar-related-familiar things leading up to it, it's got a lot going on...a lot of look-outs...it'd be fairly tedious and not-so-easy for someone new to Woodworking to have it go well and come out well.


Really,I doubt most present-day Wood Workers could muddle through very well even, for that matter.
 
Ya I dont really have any previous woodworking experince so im a bit cautious about trying to build my own stock, however I think I could def. handle some minor fitting of a stevens 311 stock which I believe will fit (hopefully)

And I will look for the parts as soon as I get a chance, my grandma's is about 15 min away in Illinois (I hate going to that state lol) and I live on the other side of the border in Indiana so it works out nice but I will look and any tips anyone could give on stock fitting would be much apprciated!
 
Also Oyeboten do you think there is anyway I could somehow "patch" the stock? Because the left side is fine, it's just that one side that needs repaired.
 
Hi ConfederateHoosier,


Post some more pictures...various views...and or put them on 'webshots' or 'fotki' or something, and post a link...I need a better look...clear focus...long shots, close-ins...so I can see it better.
 
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