Need help with Stevens Arms Single 16ga

[jrcamp001]

I'm trying to find out more about a shotgun for my in-laws. They found it in grandma's house when she passed away, and they don't know anything about it, but it may have been great-grannie's squirrel gun.

It's a single shot and appears to be a 16ga ... my 12ga shells don't fit, even close. It's stamped Electro Steel Choke Bored on the barrell, and J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company Chicopee Falls Mass USA on the body. I haven't found any model numbers so far.

I bought a History of Stevens/Savage Arms book expecting to find something in it, but there was nothing on a gun that looked like this one.

Any ideas on the model number or age?

Are there any web sites devoted to the Stevens shotguns?

I read in another site that some of the older barrels were made of "damascus" steel, which is evidently inferior and may not hold up with today's loads. Any thoughts on that?

Thanks.


Jack

 

[Dave McCracken]

Stevens made utility and mid grade shotguns. This sold for a few bucks new when folks made $5 a week.

Electro steel is not Damascus or twist steel. However, mild steel is not suited for much modern ammo and certainly not for high pressure loads.

Chances are this is chambered for ammo shorter than we use now.

The frame is not steel, it's iron and from the look of things, it's been hammered by a dolt around the hinge pin, probably to tighten up the action. Not a good idea, BTW.

Please have a decent smith look this over before firing. IMO, it's more a shotgun shaped artifact than a weapon.

Market value is low. Maybe $75.

HTH....

 

[JohnBT]

Looking at the layout of the company name on the gun, it was made between 1886 and 1915. They renamed the company in 1916. They don't have much value and there were too many made.

Opening bid on this 16 ga. is $75 and he's tried to sell it before.

www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=118356363

 

[Bud Tugly]

Wow - if that gun could talk, imagine the stories it could tell. If it were me, I'd hang it prominently on the wall exactly as it is as a treasured piece of family history.

 

[jrcamp001]

Definitely a family treasure, and there is no intent to sell. We just wanted to know a bit more about it's technical background. We're also researching the family background ... see if any of the surviving aunts/uncles know anything about it. Thanks for all the responses.