Hello
I recently bought a really old side by side from a pawn shop. Locked up solid and the price was right, and I've always wanted one of these. However, I can't figure out the model or frankly anything else about it. It's a Stevens, probably a 311 or a 5100. The barrels are 32" long. I don't have anything to check the choke with except a dime, and it won't pass through either which makes me think they're both full choke.
There isn't any model marked on it, on the side of the receiver it says the following:
--------SPRINGFIELD-------
J. STEVENS ARMS COMPANY
CHICOPEE FALLS, MASS USA
Under the receiver right next to the forearm there is a stamp of what looks like the number 24 in a circle. It's really faded, but that's as best I can guess. The serial number is stamped on the barrel, the receiver and twice on the forearm (once on the wood and once on the metal), it starts with an E. There are a few marks on the bottom of the barrels. The most important looking one is a S in a circle, with a P and a T in the curves of the S.
I've looked all over the internet, and I've found mixed results. Somebody said that because the serial started with an E, it was made in 1953. However, I've also been told that it dates to before 1948, because that's when they stopped using the Springfield name.
My last concern is the barrels, one thing I neglected to check in the shop is that when laid flat on a table, they'll rock back and forth. The right barrel looks to be a little off from the left barrel, I assume this will negatively affect it but I figured I'd check anyway. How does something like this happen, anyway?
I can take pictures if it's necessary. Thanks for any information you can provide.
I recently bought a really old side by side from a pawn shop. Locked up solid and the price was right, and I've always wanted one of these. However, I can't figure out the model or frankly anything else about it. It's a Stevens, probably a 311 or a 5100. The barrels are 32" long. I don't have anything to check the choke with except a dime, and it won't pass through either which makes me think they're both full choke.
There isn't any model marked on it, on the side of the receiver it says the following:
--------SPRINGFIELD-------
J. STEVENS ARMS COMPANY
CHICOPEE FALLS, MASS USA
Under the receiver right next to the forearm there is a stamp of what looks like the number 24 in a circle. It's really faded, but that's as best I can guess. The serial number is stamped on the barrel, the receiver and twice on the forearm (once on the wood and once on the metal), it starts with an E. There are a few marks on the bottom of the barrels. The most important looking one is a S in a circle, with a P and a T in the curves of the S.
I've looked all over the internet, and I've found mixed results. Somebody said that because the serial started with an E, it was made in 1953. However, I've also been told that it dates to before 1948, because that's when they stopped using the Springfield name.
My last concern is the barrels, one thing I neglected to check in the shop is that when laid flat on a table, they'll rock back and forth. The right barrel looks to be a little off from the left barrel, I assume this will negatively affect it but I figured I'd check anyway. How does something like this happen, anyway?
I can take pictures if it's necessary. Thanks for any information you can provide.