J. Stevens & Company Shotgun

[lrfield]

I have a single barrel, single shot shotgun that belonged to my great grandfather. It is stamped US Patent Sept 6, 1964. Impressed in a steel plate behind the trigger guard is 5559 (production nymber?). I know it was made between 1864 and 1886 because of the name. Can the date of manufacture be determined from the 5559 stamp. The gun is in superb condition and I am sure it has not been fired for over 100 years. Thanks

 

[Jim K]

With those dates, the barrel is almost certainly Damascus, so I strongly recommend not firing the gun with any load, even black powder.

Those guns were made as inexpensive hunting guns. Stevens made their own guns, a cut above the common Crescent shotguns that were made under dozens of different names. Even so, while Stevens rifles and pistols are highly collectible, their shotguns of that era have little collector interest and prices rarely exceed $250 even in like-new condition.

Jim

 

[lrfield]

Thanks Jim. I have had the shoptgun almost 40 years and have not given into temptation. I intend to give it to my oldest grandson who has an interest in these things and am trying to get some history and details.

lrfiedl (larry)