New old gun

[tube_ee]

I just got my Grandma's old 1923 model 16 gauge Stevens/Springfield "1929 model" single. No, it's not worth anything, but it's Grandma's gun, it's been all over the world, had the stock hand-laquered in Japan in the early '60s, and it carries so nice afeild (after my Winchester 1400 12 ga.) It's a keeper. The 16's a sweet shooter, too, at least on my quite limited time with it.

The receiver is an odd, light purple color. Old case-hardening, or the result of some odd treatment process?

The bore measure .653-.654. It's tough to measure a tube with calipers, but what choke does this suggest?

Anybody else have and like older, American single-shots?

What about the 16? Fans?

--Shannon

 

[Superreverb]

What about the 16? Fans?

I'm a fan of the 16-ga. My Old Man picked up a rather nice Steven 311A in 16 ($65 ) from a guy we used to shoot with at our old club. It's choked mod and full (or full and fuller). Factory ammo kicks a bit (but then again, I'm 5'6" and weigh 140...), but, when I get around to it, I'm gonna order a set of 16-ga dies and convert one of my old MEC's over to 16 to load lighter ammo for it - it is a joy to shoot and I can easily see myself burning through quite a bit of 16-ga ammo.

As for "Grandma's Gun," have out checked out by a competent 'smith, and, if it passes muster, make Grandma proud by using the gun for its intended purpose Congrats on keeping a treasured heirloom "in the family!"

 

[Dave McCracken]

!6 gauge,

Family gun.

Single shot by oldtime US maker.

Yep, you came to the right place.

I started out ( back around the time Mastodons went on the endangered list) with a 16 gauge single, an H&R. Took lots of critters, had lots of fun.

Cherish it.

16s were the pet gauge of the upland set for good reason. The oz of shot it throws is sufficient for grouse, quail, dove and smaller, closer ducks.

Ammo is limited in choices, and oft in availability. If I were shooting a 16 now, I'd pull a Superreverb and set up a loader in that while misering components.

If the purple on the receiver is uniform, it's probably old bluing. If mottled, probably case hardening.

Most old singles are choked tight.

HTH.....

 

[sm]

The bore measure .653-.654. It's tough to measure a tube with calipers, but what choke does this suggest?

http://www.colonialarms.com/chokespecs.html

16 ga. Measuring .652 , shows Modified.

Congrats, Enjoy, and Cherish Grandpa's gun.

 

[tube_ee]

Congrats, Enjoy, and Cherish Grandpa's gun.

Thank you, I shall, and that's Grandma's gun. Hers from back in North Dakota, before she married, divorced, and finally outlived my Grandfather. She's still going strong in her 80's, my only remaining grandparent. I saw her last summer, and my daughter will likely go visit her next summer. She's in San Jose, still in the condo she bought in the early 1980s after her divorce. Neat lady.

That gun will go to one of my kids, that's for sure. I'd never sell an old family gun, even if it were worth a lot of money, which this one ain't.

--Shannon