Stevens D/B shotgun

Question
Hi Charles,
I have a Stevens side by side hammer action shotgun. The name stamped on the side is Stevens small arms and tool company Chico... etc
The model number is 235.
Can you give an approximate age. I purchased the gun in 1963.

Cheers Fred

Answer
Hello Fred. J.Stevens Arms Company was founded in 1864 and used the name J.Stevens & Co. until 1886 when it became J.Stevens Arms And Tool Co. In 1916, it became New England Westinghouse, as they made the highly respected Mosin-Nagant military rifles. In 1920, it was sold to Savage Arms Co. and used the name, J.Stevens Arms Co. until sometime in the 1940's when Savage changed the name to just plain Stevens.
This puts your shotgun manufactured between 1886 and 1916.As far as the model number, I don't have anything on it. But I will give you this address of a Stevens researcher who, for a fee, can get you closer to the actual date of manufacture. Mr. John Callahan 53 Old Quarry Rd., Westfield, MA. 01085.
Have you been shooting this shotgun since 1963? If so, you are a very lucky guy. Most of these were chambered in 2 1/2 or 2 5/16, not the standard 2 3/4 we shoot today. Also, if it was made from 1886 to about 1896, it most likely was manufactured to fire only shells loaded with 'blackpowder'. I would highly recommend having it thoroughly checked by a competent licensed gunsmith for a chamber depth measurement and receiver pressure rating.
I hope this has answered your question and thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage