Stevens 311A 16ga age?

[scottmacc]

I picked-up a very good condition Stevens 311A 16ga today at a gun show. I've always liked a 16ga and got this to match my father's old 31A 20ga. I'm trying to figure out it's age. s/s with 2 triggers.
It has no serial number. When broken apart, you find the letters NC, then an A in a circle, followed by an H in a circle. These same markings are found on the bottom of the barrels. There is no mark on the bottom behind the hinge as indicated by some sources I've seen. I'm curious what the NC refers to, plus which of the letters indicates the age; the A or the H. thanks.

 

[scottmacc]

Found it...

....

 

[scottmacc]

Found it...

Found it myself... In addition to the forementioned markings, I found a much smaller marking just in front of the triggerguard. What would we do without reading glasses. Anyway, the mark is a 12F inside a circle. I've read that the 12 is the number of the inspector and the F dates it as 1954. The gun is in very good condition.

 

[tsidorus]

I have the very same shotgun given to me when my grandfather passed away. Just out of curiosity how much did you pay for it. (not that I would ever sell my grandfathers gun).

-Tsi

 

[scottmacc]

I only payed $250. Feel I got a very good deal on a good gun.

 

[stevehaun]

I am a fan of the stevens 311 - I have a 12 and 20.
I think you got a great deal. Go buy some ammo and try to wear it out!

 

[greyeyezz]

"If your Stevens Model 311A hammerless boxlock shotgun was made between March 1949 and December 1968 it will have a date code. The code will be located behind the hinge pin or ahead of the triggerguard on the bottom of the frame. It will appear as a small circle containing a number and a letter. The letters correspond to the year of manufacture with "A" being 1949 through "X" meaning 1970."

Have one just like it. It's my quick go to HD gun cut to 18" stoked with #1 buck with a Streamlight TL-2.