Stevens Savge 59B .410 Shotgun
Hey guys,
I am trying to figure out the manufacture date of a 59B 410 shotgun but I am having trouble narrowing it down.
This gun was bought by my great-grandfather, given to my grandfather, which was given to me when my grandmother passed away. I restored it and am trying to date the gun for the display case I have to show it off.
I hope some guys on here can help me get details on part\layout changes by the years, fill in gaps of knowledge, and ultimately find the date of manufacture.
I originally dated the gun at 1957, but then realized my great-grandfather died in 1955, so it makes it really hard for him have purchased this gun.
So any help you can offer I would really appreciate it; especially if I have anything wrong.
Important note: The gun does not have a serial number.
I called about 6 gun part resellers and gunsmiths of savage arms weapons. They could not really add to what I had or they could and didn't want to spend the time to tell me\write it down. Savage arms, the company, didn't help at all either - Their response was to send a letter (PHYSICAL LETTER) to their history department asking for help (they don't give a guarantee to answer my questions and it cost $65).
Here is what I have so far:
- The Stevens Model 59 was made between 1934 and 1973
------> The Mod 59A started in 1934, then it was replaced by the Mod 59B in 1949
------> Somewhere before 1973, the 59C replaced the 59B (Although I have never seen a 59C for sale)
- Savage dropped j in j Stevens when stamping in 1940
- Stevens AND Savage names appear on the gun, post 1948.
- Savage closed the Chicopee, Ma plant in 1960, so any gun with that name must be pre-1960
- Govrnt required serials starting in 1969 (passed bill in 1968)
- Date Stamps info (1948-1969)
------> After 1948, all Stevens and Savage guns carried a date code stamped onto the gun. The date code stamp was in a 1/4″ circle or oval containing a letter and a number. The letter corresponds to the year of manufacture using the following translation. A is 1949. B is 1950 and so on through X. This code can be found almost anywhere on the gun and sometimes requires removing the stock to find it.
-----> "O" and "Q" were not used because of the similarity to zero.
A 1949
B 1950
C 1951
D 1952
E 1953
F 1954
G 1955
H 1956
I 1957 ---> I believe I found a stamp on the top of the barrel just in front of the receiver (14I). It was hard to make out, but I believe it was 14I or 11I.
J 1958
K 1959
L 1960
M 1961
N 1962
P 1963
R 1964
S 1965
T 1966
U 1967
V 1968
W 1969
X 1970
Thanks!!
Picking up where you left off...
I like what you did with your research, @Grasshopper. I did the same thing with a vintage Buck folding knife and by using the stamps on the blade was able to narrow doen the model and version and even the factory where it was made...even though no real "records" were kept by Buck Knives. Even though the company might not have kept records, narrowing down the date of manufacture is made easier when the market was flooded with these knives. They made thousands and thousands of them. And every time they refined the knife...the stamp changed a little. Just look at what this knife enthusiast did: http://historyofthe110.com/
SO I think you're on the right track. I have a Westernfield Model 14 that was purportedly given to my grandfather as a present in 1933. Every person says the same thing - the guns weren't made until 1934. But at least I'm in the ballpark. And every Westernfield 14 that I've seen on the internet has a model number that expands beyond just "14".
Interestingly, there's a couple of stamps on my barrel. I'm wondering if you've seen any stamps that are symbols. Mone of the stamps is a circle with 3 ticks at the 2, 6 and 10 o'clock position.
Happy to trade info offline. This website's forum doesn't seem to like pasting photos.
Chris