Captain Woodrow Cahill, SASS # 54363 Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 This past weekend I picked up a gorgeous Stevens 311 H in 20 gauge with 28" barrels. Pristine bores, and probably 95% of the original blue is on the tubes. Case hardening on the receiver is pristine too. Serial number is B9xxxxx, and it has the tenite stocks. So here's a question for our resident Stevens' historians ... despite an exhaustive on-line search, I can't find any info as to when this particular gun may have been made. From one article I read, it said that Stevens changed the letter prefix when they got up to 999,999 in a number series. It's not to be confused with the pre-1968 date codes alphabet, and they only started putting serial numbers on guns following the rules of GCA68. It also has the tenite (WWII plastic invention) stocks. What years did Stevens use this stuff? And since it looks kind of cheesy, what's a good source for real wood stocks? It locks up tighter than a Diebold bank vault - a piece of paper slipped in between barrels and breech when the gun is closed is clamped down good and snug with no slippage, and the firing pins punch nice clean holes in the paper too. The locking lever is a bit off-center to the right - is that common, or a concern on these particular guns? Thanx in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 http://www.gundigest.com/article/sqa-stevens-letter-prefix-serial-numbers http://www.huntingpa.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1959895 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Here's some usual suspects for stocks for that gun: http://www.gunstocksinc.com/web_pages/Plate-pics/Stevens-stocks/311-seiries-I-descrip.htm http://www.gun-parts.com/savagestocks/ http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/STEVENS-311-Type-2-p/200-606.htm http://macongunstocks.net/stevens_springfield_stock_sets_69.html Locking lever to the right of center is good. Means the gun has little wear, normally, and the locking lugs and slide are not worn. As the lugs wear and action loosens, the lever starts to center up or, after more use, move to left of center. That's the time to rebuild or retire the gun. Good luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driftwood Johnson, SASS #38283 Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Howdy There used to be a man who functioned as the unoffical company historian for Savage and Stevens. He was a retired former employee. I spoke to him a number of years ago when I picked up one of my old Stevens shotguns. I dunno if he is still around, I don't see any mention of him at the Savage website. It might be worth it to you to give Savage a call and see if he is still around. They gave me his phone number when I called back then. He gave me a little bit of information over the phone for free, but you might have to pay him a few bucks for his services if he does any research for you, if he is still around. If you want to reach Savage, call don't send them an e-mail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Woodrow Cahill, SASS # 54363 Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 GJ - thanx for the links. The tenite plastic may be of some interest to a collector, but I gave up on plastic guns when I retired my Mattel greenie-stick-em cap guns back in the early 60's. 1960's, not 1860's, thank you! Now I just need to figure out when this little gem was made. If the serial number info is accurate, Stevens made around 4,000,000 of these 311 shotguns. How many can a company crank out in a year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheatin Charlie Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Captain Are your sure you have your dates right? Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Hooker Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 I don't know about 311s, but some Stevenses had SNs (my way-pre-1968 M250 hammer double does, my M87 .22s don't), so this could be a pre-1968. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Serial number is B9xxxxx, and it has the tenite stocks.Now I just need to figure out when this little gem was made. Captain, you may want to look at the production dates on this website again http://www.huntingpa.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1959895 In case you missed it ... B=1950! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driftwood Johnson, SASS #38283 Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 I don't know about 311s, but some Stevenses had SNs (my way-pre-1968 M250 hammer double does, my M87 .22s don't), so this could be a pre-1968. Yes, both my Model 250 and my Model 355 have serial numbers, and they are way pre-1968. But neither of my 311s have serial numbers. After 1968, all firearms were required to have serial numbers, but most manufacturers had already been doing it for many years. Not for gun control purposes, just to keep track of things. As an interesting aside, when Smith and Wesson introduced the 357 Magnum revolver in 1935, they had a program where they recorded the serial numbers and kept factory records of who bought which SN. These were called the Registered Magnums. It had nothing to do with gun control, it was just a sales gimmick. Imagine if firearms manufacturers offered such a program today. It would not be very popular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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