doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com J. Stevens 410 sxs

I just bought a nice little 410 this morning. It is marked J. Stevens w/extractors. My guess is it has been sitting in a closet in Iowa for some 60 years. The checkering is absolutely pristine. The case colors are probably 80% and the barrel blueing is excellent with no sign of wear.The bottom of the action has lost some case. There seems to be a little corrosion near the muzzles, but I will see how it cleans up. The pistol grip is capped and it has the original buttplate with the big S on it.

The only thing is that some of the finish looks like it was a finish with stain in it and in some places it is peeling off.

Serial number H156XX

I am curious as to the era of manufacture. Any help would be appreciated. I don't know how to post pictures.

Lenard

Lenard.
It will be stamped either J. Stephens Arms and Tool or J. Stevens Arms Co.
This makes a difference.
As the 410 is not what we consider an early gauge, it may be close.
Let us know the stamping and we can help.
One more question---Is it a 2 1/2 or 3 inch chamber?
Best,
John

John the markings are J. Stevens Arms Co. Imeasured the chambers and they are 3". Of course, there was nothing noting what it was but the name and cartridge along with the serial number.

I was quite surprised when I went to see the gun, that it was factory checkered with a grip cap. Interesting little gun that feels like a big one.

Thanks John.

Lenard

never seen one with a cap.

Being J. Stevens Arms Co., the gun would be 1920 to WW-II time frame. By 1928 their No. 330 was offered in .410-bore with a checked stock and a capped full pistol grip. The listings stay the same through 1933. The next Stevens paper I have is 1938 and the Stevens double is now the No. 530. As with Savage-era Fox paper the first to mention chamber lengths is 1938, and by then the .410-bores are chambered for 3-inch shells.

Thanks Researcher and John. I knew you two fellows had some idea of when it was made. That is close enough for me.

One question though. Since the gun is in such good shape, would you redo the stock finish as it is quite spotty from peeling. The worst part is that color they put in the finish.Otherwise I would use some 0000 steel wool and then add some finish. In addition to it being in good condition, it also has a buttstock with some fiddleback.

Thanks again guys.

Down here in the Tallahassee-Thomasville Plantation Country the old timers tell the story of President Eisenhauer,while he was in office, coming down to Pebble Hill Plantation to bird hunt.(When a Southerner says "bird" he's talking about Bobwhite Quail).The morning of his first hunt the President shows up with a little Stephens 410SXS. The Hunt Master, thinking that the President really didn't know a thing about shotguns or bird hunting,offered him a choice of some really high-end shotguns from the Plantation's private armory. President Eisenhauer politely declined saying that he thought his 410 would be sufficient! The dogs were cast and the hunt began. Old timers say that on every rise the President knocked down two birds, never missing a single shot! That's the story that's told about the President and his little Stephens 410 doublegun!

Yes, I would refinish both the fore end and the butt stock. You want them to match. Add some color and finish with your choice of material. No poly anything, though.:}
You should enjoy this little gun for a lifetime and then your heirs can do so for another.
Best to you,
John

Woodsrunner38:
I can testify that Ike did, indeed, shoot a Stevens 410.
When I was in the 9th grade, Ike was running. I was a devout Republican even at that age. I was in science class and dreaming while I rattled an "I Like Ike" pin between my teeth. The teacher called my name and I swallowed that damn pin. Went to the hospital where they fed me half a loaf of bread. Must have worked as all passed without harm. LOL
Ike heard the story, as he and Mrs. Eisenhower were in Augusta playing golf and resting. He called my father who invited Ike to shoot some birds. He used that little gun that day. One of the finest days of my life, for I was allowed to go to Mr.Moriney's plantation with the men.
Best,
John

John, I have a feeling you should be writing a book of your life experiences and some of the guns you owned.

By the way, that little Stevens was purchased for one specific reason. I have a grandson that is 9 years old who is already a pretty accomplished shot with a 22. He needs to see what a shotgun will do and I will take it for him to shoot ground squirrels and get used to it.

This last spring I gave him a Savage Anshutz 22 sporter. He shot 7 jackrabbits and several dozen ground squirrels. He will love it.

Lenard