Manufacture date of Stevens .22 rifle
Question
I would like to know the manufacturing date (age) of a pump-action rifle that I inherited from my father many years ago. The information on the rifle is as follows:
J. Stevens Arms Co.
Model 75 - .22 S, L, LR
(SN#) 7397
The rifle is in remarkably good condition and I am in the process of cleaning and refinishing it as I would like to pass it on to my grandson with the express intent of keeping it in the family.
Thank you for your help.
Answer
Hello Joseph. J.Stevens Arms & Tool Company was purchased by Savage Arms Corp. in 1920. This is when J. Stevens Arms Co. came into use. Savage Arms Corp. used this name on the lower priced firearms up to 1940. Since there is no exact science for dating by serial numbers, some old catalogue advertising campaigns are the closest way to get to the specific year a model was made. From what I have found, your J.Stevens Arms Co. Model 75 was manufactured between 1930 and 1933. "GUN SMITH ALERT" Even though you are cleaning it up and re-finishing it to pass along, I recommend that you have a competent licensed gun smith check it over. This may make the difference between a shooter and a wall hanger. I hope this answers your question and thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage
45-70
Twist, Revisited