Age question stevens 311.

[Alabamadinosaur]

I just purchased a double barrell shotgun 12 gauge from a local gun shop. It is stamped

stevens mod 311 series H
savage arms
westfield mass usa

serial number is
A930933

What year gun is this?

What is it worth?

 

[jeepmor]

What is it worth?

You just bought it, you tell us?

If you can ask here, you can ask google, start digging. This is a place for questions after you've done a little homework IMO, not before.

 

[Alabamadinosaur]

I have been all over yahoo search and in 1 post some guy posted that serial number made it a early 60's model I don't think it is that old. I gave $270 for it.

 

[DouglasW]

Here's a good thread for you to start with: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=98768

After that, you might try using the search function. And welcome to The High Road.

 

[Scoupe]

These days that's a good price on a real good gun. Enjoy it and shoot the heck out of it. As for year of manufacture, I'd have to do some digging around myself. Good snag nonetheless.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Good but not pristine conditions 311s here go $300-350, sometimes more.

Congrats, you have a fine shotgun.

 

[New_geezer]

I will add to the chorus that the 311 is a good gun you should become quite fond of. I have it's mechanically identical cousin a Fox-B in 20 ga and I will never give it up. I think you paid a fair price depending on condition

From what I've read, Savage/Stevens didn't put serial numbers on their guns until required by Federal law in 1968. IIRC the guns were produced until about 1980. The older 311s used a letter code to indicate year of manufacture starting with A in 1949. Possibly the "A" in the serial number indicates first year of manufacture for that particular model as I've read similar questions about 311 model H's with serial numbers starting with a "D". But I don't know when the 311H first came out.

There were a lot of these solid workingman's gun produced and they tend to age pretty well. Many bought them because they were durable and fairly inexpensive and they only got used for seasonal hunting. Most old-timers I know recommend these guns if you find one in good condition over a new inexpensive Turkish/Russian import.

You may find somewhere a patent date which will give you another "no earlier than" date

 

[harbinger_j]

I am still confused about my 311a here is a pic can you tell me how old it is?

 

[New_geezer]

The date code usually appeared where you show but as I understand it, the date code may also appear on the underside just in front of the trigger guard. It consisted of a letter and a number enclosed in a circle. The letter indicates the year, the significance of the number is unknown. If your gun has a serial number it may not have the older date code. Some sites indicate the number/letter code was used until 1970. If your gun has no serial number it is pre-1968 vintage. For the 311, (not all shotguns) if it has a serial number it was manufactured 1968 or later.