Over and Under Rifle

Question
QUESTION: Good day,

I have and old rifle, I'm told belonged to my grandfather, so it could be near 100 years old. It's a J. Stevens Over and Under 22-410 Manufactured in Chikopee Falls Mass. I cannot find a serial number for it however so.....This is about all the info that I have on it. I'm dating it based on it being a hand me down from my father. I'm 53. He would be 75. That puts my grandfather in the 100 year range if he were still here. I'm trying to find any information I can as to it's age, history and value. I know this isn't a lot of in formation but it's all I have to go with so far. Any thing you can offer would be great.

ANSWER: Michael,

Here's a little history for you.  The original J. Stevens Arms company was founded in 1864.  J. Stevens manufactured rifles and shotgun from the time it was founded until 1920 when Savage Arms bought Stevens.  Since Stevens was a well known and respected brand, Savage continued to use the J. Stevens name on most arms produced until 1950 when they just used the brand "Stevens Arms".  Your particular gun was introduced in 1939.  From 1939 until 1950, the rifle/shotgun combo kept its Stevens moniker, even though it was actually produced in a Savage factory.  In 1950 it became known as the Savage Model 24.

Sounds like your grandfather may have acquired the gun when your Dad was a small boy since your Dad was probably born in 1933.  This would have been exactly the type of gun a Dad would buy for his son to teach him about hunting and firearms.  In terms of valuation, a brand new in box specimen would have a value of about $375 today.  95% condition would have a value of around $250, 80% around $200.  These were not expensive guns to begin with.  They were fairly utilitarian and moderately priced rifles for the time.  Again, just the kind of gun a father might buy for his son's first gun.  Some might be willing to pay more than the stated values for 'sentimental' reasons, but you probably won't see a huge premium.

There are a few things you might want to know about the gun.  You need to be a little careful with the rear sight.  They tended to break off with any rough handling.  You also want to keep the gun clean and lightly oiled.  The finishes applied in those days were not a durable as the current ones.  If the rifle is not cleaned and left with a light oil coating on the metal surfaces, they can develop corrosion pretty quickly.  Have you found the little button on the side of the rifle?  This is the barrel selector for most of the guns of this type.  If the button is up, you get the upper barrel, down the lower.

Hope this gives you some good info...

Best regards,

Doug




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Doug. Most helpful and informative. I'd rate it in the 80% range. Good to know about the cleaning and oiling. It does have a little discolorization but not bad. Not sure the last time it was used but it will be cleaned and stored. Maybe placed on display. Any ideas on where I might get my hands on a case for it? Did they make one just for this rifle? Also yes, I knew about the lever on the side. I was fortune enough to go on a couple hunting trips with it. Don't know if I'm speaking for the rifle's accuracy or mine but it was on one trip that I felled a magpie (I think it was, not a very big bird) with the 22 barrel, out of a tree at about 100 yards. I was about 12 years old and pretty proud of that shot.

Thanks again Doug and have your best day ever.

Answer
Michael,

I don't know of anywhere you can get a case specifically for this rifle.  There are any number of good cases for storage, but if you are looking for a display case, I'm not sure where to send you.

Check out 'gun socks' for storage.  They are a soft fabric case that are impregnated with silicon to help resist corrosion.

All the best,

Doug