This followed me home from Capitol Sports and Western in Helena, Mt. It's a Stevens single shot in 16 gauge (older Model 94?). The only stamp on barrel is on the top and it says "PATENTED AUGUST 12 1913". It doesn't have any gauge or choke designation. On side of the receiver it says" TRADE MARK STEVENS". The other has "STEVENS ARMS COMPANY CHICOPEE FALLS, MASS U.S." I know nothing about these, any comments about age, is it safe, etc. would be appreciated. I had in mind using it on turkeys, and I thought it looked kinda interesting plus the price was right, $79.

That's a model 107 and yes it preceded the model 94. 107s were made from around 1937-1953. It looks to me like maybe the triggerguard has been replaced but I could be wrong on that , I have not had a 107 in my hands in a long time. If it is in good mechanical condition , locks up tight & everything , then it should be safe to shoot. All that drop in the buttstock makes that old shotgun a kicker. I wouldn't shoot steel shot in it , the barrel steel in those old guns were not made for steel shot.

Mike

I'd say ya done good for $79


Mike

Mike, thanks for the info. The action is surprisingly tight and on the face. The butt stock has shrunk away from the recoil lug about an 1/8", so I'll have to shim or glass bed it before it can be shot or it may split at the tang. I thought I'd load a few low velocity, 1oz. shells and test it out. First I'll check to see if it's a 2 1/2" or 2 3/4" chamber. I'm set-up to load the shorter ones if that's what it takes.

I wonder about the date of manufacture though. It does have the 1913 patent date and it just kinda looks older than 1937. I found a serial number stamped on the underside of the forearm in the wood. It is 847XN.

I just found reference to the 107 as early as 1929 , maybe it goes back even further than that.

Mike