Anyone know how to find the date of birth of a Stevens shotgun?

Discussion in 'General Shotgun Discussion' started by dgray64, Jul 3, 2008.

  1. Jul 3, 2008 #1
    dgray64

    dgray64 New Member

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    On the left side of this 20 ga double barrel with double triggers, it says:
    -----Springfield------
    J.Stevens Arms Company
    Chicoree Falls Mass USA

    On the right side it says 5100

    The barrel tops say:Selected Forged Steel and
    Proof Tested
    -----2 3/4 Chamber-----

    There is no serial number bu there is a Circled E next to an FL on the receiver arm in back of the pivot pin and burned into the wood fore-grip that needs to be removed to break down the shotgun.

    Its been well used, but well kept as well so most of the old bluing is gone, but it looks good and the bores are bright. I'm thinking that is was made in the early '40s, but the Circled E throws me. The problem is that I can't see where a Model 5100 ever had a Circled letter indicating a date of birth. Thanks for your help!

    Dave :confused:
     
    dgray64, Jul 3, 2008
    dgray64, Jul 3, 2008
  3. Jul 9, 2008 #2
    iloveguns

    iloveguns New Member

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    I don't know but I would also like to find out. Do you have a picture of it? Here is a pic of mine. Not sure how well this will come out but here goes.
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2009
    iloveguns, Jul 9, 2008
    iloveguns, Jul 9, 2008

  5. Jul 12, 2008 #3
    Minionsram

    Minionsram New Member

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    Correct me if I am wrong but you can narrow the date at a time before 1969. I believe that is the date that the government started making all firearms made in the, and imported into the US, have Serial #'s.

    Does It have external hammers or internal ones like iloveguns had a picture of above? A couple of close pics could help me narrow the field down for ya! If push comes to shove you might have to contact Savage firearms and they may still have the mod on file.
     
    Minionsram, Jul 12, 2008
    Minionsram, Jul 12, 2008
  6. Jul 13, 2008 #4
    c3shooter

    c3shooter Administrator Staff Member

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    IIRC, the "Springfield" designation dropped off in 1948. Check company history.
     
    c3shooter, Jul 13, 2008
    c3shooter, Jul 13, 2008
  7. Jul 15, 2008 #5
    dgray64

    dgray64 New Member

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    Thanks. That's one thing I didn't know. It is a hammerless gun with two triggers much like the one in the picture. It shoots very well.

    A lot of the bluing has warn off. I wonder if it would hurt the value to re-blue it with cold blue? Which brand would you suggest? Thanks again.

    Dave :):)
     
    dgray64, Jul 15, 2008
    dgray64, Jul 15, 2008
  8. Mar 31, 2009 #6
    Lankknigh

    Lankknigh New Member

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    Hi to everyone

    Hi am new here, greetings to all.
     
    Lankknigh, Mar 31, 2009
    Lankknigh, Mar 31, 2009
  9. Apr 3, 2009 #7
    Lankknigh

    Lankknigh New Member

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    greetings

    Hi....new to the forum....greetings.
     
    Lankknigh, Apr 3, 2009
    Lankknigh, Apr 3, 2009
  10. Apr 3, 2009 #8
    Rex in OTZ

    Rex in OTZ Active Member

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    Old Savage's gotta love them

    I disremember the caution of blueing old doubles, I think cold blue is ok, Hot blueing salts attacking the solder that hold the barrels together?
    My 5100 has a roll engraved hunter & gun dog game scene on the side and said Stevens/Fox on the other side, the Tennite Stocks are kinda cheesey at first but grow on a guy, mine was beat worse than a rented Missouri mule (finish 50% in fair condition)$119 in a old gun shop The port side barrel was litely dented and the safety dident have the detent anymore the triggerguard was replaced by a hacksaw blade held on with a couple stove bolts, I had the dent raised and the exteriour re-finished & replaced the cracked butt stock and orderd a new trigger guard bow, fixed the safety, still have it its great fun!
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2009
    Rex in OTZ, Apr 3, 2009
    Rex in OTZ, Apr 3, 2009
  11. Feb 24, 2010 #9
    Jim59

    Jim59 New Member

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    How to date a Shotgun

    I have a 12 gage just like yours. It has all the markings that yours does. It is hammerless and 2 triggers. It has a 17 on the underneath of one barrel, and a Wo with a circle E underneath the other. It also has some kind of circled image with a capital CR. I also need to know what to use to clean this gun with. I am new to this and don't plan on useing the gun. I just want to find out about it, clean it good, and put it up.
    Thank You
    Jim59
     
    Jim59, Feb 24, 2010
    Jim59, Feb 24, 2010