How do you estim. a SA shotgun prod. date?

[Ignition Override]

I know zero about shotguns. It is a narrow single shot 12 gauge:
"Chicopee Falls Mass USA."

It belongs to a friend of my wife. Her Dad probably acquired it long ago, as he brought back a P-38 handgun from WW2.

There seems to be no date or serial number, but "Barrel and lug forged in one piece" is inscribed.

 

[Ron James]

Does SA stand for , Springfield/ Stevens / Savage or something else> I think Stevens because that is their marking. I know of no data base for old Stevens shotguns, could be wrong , been wrong before.

 

[rcmodel]

If it actually says Barrel and lug forged in one piece it was made by Stevens Arms Company of Chicopee Falls, Mass.

The Stevens arms company was in business from 1864 to 1920, when Stevens was bought by the Savage Arms Company.

I can't really tell you exactly what model you have or much else about it.
Shotguns did not have to have serial numbers by law back then, so there is very little to go on when it comes to researching a specific date it was made.

I would be cautious about shooting it, as it could very likely have a shorter then standard 2 3/4" chamber back then.

rc