Info on Riverside Arms shotgun

[GHydrick]

I just found this site while trying to find info on a double barrel shotgun my wife has. All I can find on it is Riverside Arms Company,Chicopee Mass. USA Patented April 20, 1915. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Buck Kramer]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=278074113

Here's the only double barrel I found, it has exposed hammers, I dont know if yours does or not. Some pics would be helpful. Their single barrels look a lot like Iver Johnson shotguns.

 

[Tim37]

best i can tell it was made my Stevens arms. Under the name Riverside.

it was probably made for someone like sears that would have a guns made under a private lable i have several like that a few western auto Marlins i have a triumph shot gun that i think was a stevens made for montgomery wards.

 

[Buck Kramer]

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=201945

Just found this

Riverside and Riverside Arms Co are names the Stevens Arms Company used on their less expensive shotguns made from 1915 on. While I'm not sure (and somebody will pop up and correct me if I'm wrong) I think the gun is the same as a Stevens Model 311. The gun was not as well finished as the Stevens gun and had a hardwood stock such as beech instead of a walnut stock. Otherwise the guns are the same. You asked value but did not give any condition formation Value of an old shotgun depends on the condition, the amount of original finish left on the metal and wood as well as the mechanical condition. Values for "Trade Brand Name" shotguns run about 15 % less than the same identical gun with the manufactuers name on it.
Values for a Stevens Model 311 run from a high of about $215 for a 100% condition to $165 for a 60% condition. If you really want to know just when the gun was made contact:
Older Stevens Historical Research
Mr. John Callahan
53 Old Quarry Road
Westfield, MA 01085
There is a $15.00 research fee per gun.

I give credit where is is due I found this on shotgunworld.com by Ned Fall

 

[Ron James]

At one time there was a separate entity called Riverside Arms, the company was purchased/acquired by Stevens Arms Co. around the turn of the 20Th century. It was indeed a "trade Name" but one owned and used by Stevens for discount guns { the same way Marlin used the name Glenfield }. Rather that risk it's reputation by selling a cheaper and less well finished gun , they simply used the Riverside name. Riverside is indeed Stevens Arms Co.

 

[Jim K]

Riverside was used by Montgomery Ward as a trade name on many of their products; I don't know if those guns were made for Ward's or not, but usually when a company built up loyalty to a brand name, they used it for more than one product.

Jim

 

[Ron James]

I could be wrong, been wrong before, but the name Riverside Arms Co. was owned and registered by Stevens, so if it was used on firearms { or other products }other than Stevens, it was with their permission and they received compensation for it. Just to try and keep my foot out of my mouth ( my socks taste funny ) I researched on 4 different code lists, all say owned and used by Stevens

 

[Jim K]

No argument, but MW used the Riverside name on tires and other automotive parts and, IIRC, even an Italian (Benelli??) motorcycle. I would assume that "Riverside Arms Co." was protected, but I am not sure the name "Riverside" itself would be, at least on products having nothing to do with guns.

Jim

 

[Ron James]

That could very well be, after I posted I was thinking along the same lines. Riverside is a pretty generic.