Stevens 12 ga. single barrel shotgun

Question
Charles,
I am in possession of a 12 ga. single barrel shotgun marked J.Stevens Arms&Tool Company.  Chicopee Falls Mass.  It has a 2" stock tang that is 9/16 inches wide.  On the bottom of the stock tang next to the wood is SP over the numerals 989.  This same number is located on the forearm metal.  I remember my grandfather saying he purchased this firearm used around 1916 for the sum of $3.00 I would like to know what model is designated for this gun, and the approximate date it was made.

Thanks in advance.
Raymond

Answer
 Hello Raymond.
   J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company was the manufacturers name between 1886 and 1920. The company sold to Savage Arms in 1920 and re-named the company J. Stevens Arms Company. Therefore, your shotgun was produced sometime between 1886 and 1920. If the barrel and locking lug are forged in one piece, it would be between 1909 and 1920. These shotguns had the reputation of being very reliable, though inexpensive. As for a model number, it was not given one until around 1929 with the introduction of the single barrel Model 94.
   I hope this answers your questions and thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage